UN General Assembly adopts political declaration on HIV/AIDS : GS TIMES IAS-PCS

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a new Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, reaffirming the global commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The declaration was adopted by a vote of 149 countries in favour, 8 against, and 14 abstentions during a high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS at the United Nations.

Key Highlights of the Declaration

The declaration expresses deep concern that the world has failed to meet the global HIV targets for 2025 and remains off track to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
It reaffirms previous international commitments, including:
- The 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS,
- Political Declarations on HIV/AIDS adopted in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021,
- The targets contained in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Commitments for the Next Five Years

The declaration commits member states to:

Take urgent and accelerated action over the next five years.
Strengthen a coordinated, evidence-based, and people-centred global HIV response.
Enhance country leadership and ownership in combating HIV/AIDS.
Promote integrated and multisectoral national HIV strategies.
Ensure continued access to prevention, testing, treatment, care, and support services.
Sustain progress beyond 2030 to prevent the resurgence of the epidemic.

Review Mechanism

The declaration mandates that the UN General Assembly convene another High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in 2031 to:

Review progress made on the commitments adopted in 2026,
Assess achievements toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, and
Consider measures to sustain gains achieved in the global HIV response.

About HIV/AIDS

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body’s immune system, particularly CD4 (T-helper) cells.
If left untreated, HIV can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, the most advanced stage of infection.
AIDS weakens the immune system, making individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
Although there is currently no cure, antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively control the virus, enabling people with HIV to live long and healthy lives.

Source: DD

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