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Statement from U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong, on World AIDS Day [1]

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Date: 2022-12 

The annual convening of people across the globe on World AIDS Day, to commemorate the lives of those we have lost to AIDS-related illnesses and to celebrate the lives saved and remarkable progress we have made, demonstrates a global recognition of the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Because of the generosity of the American people, through PEPFAR, 25 million lives have been saved and 5.5 million babies have been born HIV-free. Prevention is critical to ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic as a public health threat and PEPFAR has supported countries in making HIV prevention and treatment services more accessible and equitable, achieving a 65 percent reduction in new HIV cases in males 15 to 24 years old and a 50 percent reduction in new HIV cases among their female counterparts since 2010.

As of September 2022, PEPFAR supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment for 20.1 million men, women, and children and 2.9 million adolescent girls and young women were reached with comprehensive HIV prevention services through our DREAMS public-private partnership.

Although PEPFAR has had an incredible impact, the momentum toward the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 95-95-95 treatment target is slowing. This year, I am proud to announce the release of PEPFAR’s five-year strategy, Fulfilling America’s Promise to End the HIV/AIDS Pandemic by 2030, which will serve as our guide to:

Reach global 95-95-95 treatment targets for all ages, genders, and population groups. Reduce new HIV infections dramatically through effective prevention and treatment, in support of UNAIDS targets. Close equity gaps for priority populations, including adolescent girls and young women, key populations, and children. Transform the PEPFAR program toward sustaining HIV impact and long-term sustainability by strengthening the capabilities of governments to lead and manage the program, in collaboration with communities, the private sector, and local partners.

Make measurable and sustainable gains in partner country public health systems and health security to strengthen public health prevention, data, and response capabilities for HIV and other health threats.

Through working closely with our partner governments, multilateral organizations, communities, the private sector, and local partners, we can reach the last mile in this pandemic, as we celebrate the 20-year anniversary of PEPFAR next month. We have a bold vision for fighting HIV/AIDS in partner countries, contributing to greater global health security over the next five years and we will leverage the unique contributions of the PEPFAR implementing agencies and all of our partners to accelerate the response to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030.

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[1] Url: https://www.state.gov/statement-from-u-s-global-aids-coordinator-ambassador-dr-john-nkengasong-on-world-aids-day/

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