Islamabad, World AIDS Day this year arrives at a pivotal moment, with significant strides made in reducing AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections. However, the United Nations emphasizes that the fight against AIDS is far from over, with the disease still claiming a life every minute. The organization underscores the importance of community-led initiatives in ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

According to the United Nations, this year’s theme for World AIDS Day, “Let Communities Lead,” highlights the critical role communities play in combating AIDS. The path to ending AIDS involves not only connecting people to necessary treatments, services, and support but also grassroots activism that advocates for the health rights of all individuals. Empowering community leadership in HIV plans, programs, budgets, and monitoring is essential to win the battle against AIDS.

The United Nations stresses the need to remove barriers to community leadership and create spaces for local civil society groups to carry out their crucial work. A significant increase in funding is also crucial, with the AIDS response in low and middle-income countries requiring over $8 billion more per year to be fully funded. This includes scaling up funding for local programs led by people living with HIV and prevention initiatives driven by communities.

The message for World AIDS Day 2023 is clear: AIDS is a beatable challenge. The United Nations calls for global support to empower communities to eradicate AIDS from their neighborhoods, countries, and the world.