UNAIDS urges Africa to close HIV response gaps

The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, has urged African countries to identify gaps in their HIV response to help end AIDS by 2030, noting that over nine million people still need life‑saving treatment across the continent.

“Those most vulnerable include children, adolescent girls and young women, key populations, and general populations for treatment. This is not acceptable. We have to close the treatment gaps, and we absolutely have to address the new infections that we’re seeing,” she stated.

Ms Byanyima, who is also a United Nations Under‑Secretary‑General, made the call at a press briefing on the sidelines of the ongoing 23rd International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2025).

She said Africa needed to urgently close prevention and treatment gaps, noting that the continent was “in the face of incredible opportunities with innovation, technology and community systems” but must prioritise and adequately resource HIV responses.

Ms Byanyima said that protecting human rights remained essential to effective HIV services.

“We have to make sure that communities lead in the responses, and we have to absolutely make sure that we do not stop now until we end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” she said.

Ms Byanyima noted that although some African countries had achieved the 95‑95‑95 targets ahead of 2030, it was important to identify remaining gaps.

She said certain populations, specific geographic areas,s and children were still being left behind in treatment, while adolescent girls and young women were most affected by new infections.

“This is where addressing societal barriers, stigma, ma and discrimination is absolutely critical to close those gaps for prevention and treatment, which is possible. We have the tools, we have the science, we have the know‑how, and we have the will to do it,” she said.

Ms. Byanyima urged countries yet to meet the 95‑95‑95 targets to prioritise HIV, invest in human resources, and strengthen political commitment.

She said gains made so far were fragile and required sustained investment backed by real budgets.

ICASA 2025, organised by the Society for AIDS in Africa, is being held from December 3–8 on the theme: “Africa in Action: Catalysing Integrated and Resilient Health Systems for Sustainable Responses to End HIV, Other Infectious Diseases, and Emerging Threats.”

The five‑day conference has drawn about 3,000 delegates, including global experts, policymakers, researchers, community advocates, partners, and leaders from 85 African countries.