On World AIDS Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a clear warning: the global fight against HIV is entering a perilous phase. Funding cuts have hampered critical programmes, even as strong new prevention techniques emerge. WHO is encouraging nations to act promptly, improve access, and safeguard vulnerable groups. 

This year's message is based on a strong contrast. On the one hand, global HIV services have experienced sharp decreases as a result of substantial foreign aid cuts, causing widespread disruptions in prevention, testing, and treatment. Conversely, the WHO's approval of lenacapavir (LEN), a twice-yearly injectable that effectively prevents HIV, in 2025 marks a significant milestone in scientific research. 

LEN is a long-acting medication used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Unlike daily medications, it is only taken twice a year, making it much easier for people who have trouble sticking to a regular drug schedule. Many people skip taking daily PrEP due to stigma, a lack of privacy, or inconsistent access to healthcare facilities. The WHO recommends LEN as a supplementary preventative option because of its long-acting nature, which eliminates many of these practical and societal constraints. 

Despite this encouraging development, disruptions to HIV programmes have become serious. According to the WHO, key community-led programs, such as PrEP administration and harm reduction activities for individuals who inject drugs, have been reduced or eliminated in numerous countries as a result of unexpected financial cuts. This setback puts millions more at risk. 

"We face significant challenges, including cuts to international funding and stalled prevention," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "At the same time, we have giant opportunities, including exciting new tools that have the potential to alter the course of the HIV epidemic. Expanding access to such tools for individuals at risk of HIV must be the top goal for all governments and partners. 

This year's World AIDS Day theme, "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response", reflects this dual reality. The global reaction has reached a critical juncture after decades of progress. 

Global HIV prevention efforts have plateaued by 2024. There were 1.3 million new infections, with about half occurring among crucial and susceptible populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender women, and drug users. The HIV risk remains exceedingly uneven. For example, sex workers and transgender women have a 17-fold greater risk of infection, males who have sex with men have an 18-fold higher risk, and drug users have a 34-fold higher risk. Stigma, prejudice, and societal and legal impediments continue to keep many people from obtaining treatment. 

Globally, an estimated 40.8 million individuals were living with HIV in 2024, with 630,000 dying from HIV-related causes. 

The scope of the funding crisis is just beginning to emerge. According to the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, 2.5 million people who previously got PrEP may lose access in 2025 due to donor cuts. Such losses jeopardise worldwide efforts to eliminate AIDS by 2030. 

However, scientific enthusiasm remains high. "We are entering a new era of powerful innovations in HIV prevention and treatment," stated Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO's Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections. On October 6, 2025, WHO prequalified LEN, setting the path for fast national approvals in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. WHO is also collaborating with partners such as CIFF, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund, and Unitaid to make long-acting HIV medications more affordable and accessible. 

The WHO underlines that incorporating HIV services into basic health care will be critical to ending the epidemic. Stronger health systems, domestic investment, and rights-based approaches are critical to ensuring that no one falls behind. Despite the budget situation, WHO sees community leadership and scientific innovation as a feasible road forward.