First recognized in 1988, World AIDS Day falls on December 1 each year. World AIDS Day
is dedicated to spreading awareness of the AIDS pandemic resulting from the spread of
HIV infection, and to mourning those who have died of the disease. An estimated 40
million people worldwide have died of AIDS since 1981, and an estimated 37 million are
living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in
recorded history. Despite recent improvements in treatment, the AIDS epidemic still
claims an estimated two million lives each year, of which more than 250,000 are children.

In 1996, the observance of World AIDS Day was taken over by the United Nations
Program on HIV/AIDS, expanding the campaign to an annual education and
prevention campaign. 

The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the
AIDS response,” because in 2025 a historic funding crisis is threatening to unravel
decades of progress with HIV prevention services severely disrupted. Community-led
services — vital to reaching marginalized populations — are being deprioritized, while the
rise in punitive laws criminalizing same-sex relationships, gender identity, and drug use
is making HIV services increasingly inaccessible.  

But this year’s theme also highlights the resilience of countries and communities
stepping up to protect the gains made and to drive the HIV response forward with
political leadership, international cooperation, and human rights approaches. In the
words of Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary of the UN,
“In a time of crisis, the world must choose transformation over retreat. Together, we can
still end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030—if we act with urgency, unity, and
unwavering commitment.”