World AIDS Day Commemorated 

Every 25 seconds, someone in the world is infected with HIV. Globally, one-quarter of people living with HIV—more than nine million individuals—still lack access to lifesaving treatment.

Discriminatory laws, policies and practices punish and stigmatize vulnerable people — especially women, girls and minorities — preventing their access to proven prevention, testing, treatment and care. 

With the leadership of government and support of partners including the UN, Ethiopia has made progress in keeping HIV prevalence relatively low, compared to many African nations.

Speaking at an event organized in the UNECA compound to commemorate the Day, UN Assistant-Secretary General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, underlined the need to address HIV/AIDS not only from a policy standpoint but also from a place of humanity. 

“Let us reaffirm that addressing HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue but a human rights imperative,” he said.

Dr. Alakbarov emphasized five critical areas in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.

• Prioritize Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups: We must put vulnerable and marginalized groups at the center of our HIV/AIDS initiatives
• Increase Access to HIV Testing and Treatment: We must work with all stakeholders to promote and expand access to HIV testing and linkages to care and treatment.
• Strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: The fight against HIV/AIDS is deeply connected to access to sexual and reproductive health services. When these services, including comprehensive sexual education and HIV prevention programs, are unavailable—especially for vulnerable groups like adolescents, young people, and people with disabilities—we risk exacerbating the epidemic and leaving marginalized communities further behind.
• Eliminate Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: We must emphasize the goal of virtually eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV.
• Combat Stigma and Discrimination: HIV/AIDS thrives in spaces of vulnerability and marginalization. Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator called on governments, development partners, civil society, and communities to strengthen their commitment to a rights-centered, inclusive approach to fighting HIV/AIDS.

“Together, we can create a future where no one is left behind—a future where every person living with HIV/AIDS has access to the care, support, and dignity they deserve. A future where AIDS is no longer a public health threat,” said Dr. Alakbarov.