The world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic after global funding for HIV programmes fell by 18% in 2025, marking the lowest level in nearly two decades.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said the situation threatens decades of progress in reducing new infections and AIDS-related deaths.
In a report released at the opening of the International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, UNAIDS said international HIV funding dropped to $7.3 billion in 2025 from $8.8 billion a year earlier, warning that the decline could derail efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The agency attributed much of the decline to cuts in international assistance, particularly from the United States, which had accounted for about 75% of global HIV funding before policy changes introduced in early 2025 disrupted support for prevention programmes.
Although some countries increased domestic spending to cushion the impact, total global resources for HIV programmes still declined by 6%, leaving many low-income countries unable to maintain critical prevention and treatment services.
UNAIDS warned that the funding shortfall is already affecting HIV testing, prevention and community-based health services, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for roughly half of all new HIV infections worldwide. National data from Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia showed that access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medicine used to prevent HIV infection, fell by more than 50%.
The report said 1.2 million people contracted HIV in 2025 despite years of declining infections, adding that the current response remains too fragile to sustain recent gains without renewed financial commitments.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said the world possesses highly effective tools to prevent HIV transmission, but warned that medical innovation alone would not end the epidemic if life-saving medicines remain inaccessible to the people who need them most.
The agency also cautioned that reduced support for community-led organisations threatens access to care for vulnerable populations, including sex workers, gay men and other groups at higher risk of infection. In some countries, funding for condoms has fallen by more than 90%, while several prevention programmes have been scaled back or suspended.
UNAIDS called for renewed international cooperation, increased domestic investment and reforms to global financing systems to prevent further setbacks, warning that without urgent action, the world could reverse decades of progress against one of its deadliest infectious diseases.
Stay ahead of the stories shaping our world. Subscribe to Impact Newswire for timely, curated insights on global tech, business, and innovation all in one place.
Dive deeper into the future with the Cause Effect 4.0 Podcast, where we explore the ideas, trends, and technologies driving the global AI conversation.
Got a story to share? Pitch it to us at info@impactnews-wire.com and reach the right audience worldwide
Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
Discover more from Impact Newswire
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
