2021 World AIDS Day - END INEQUALITIES. END AIDS. END PANDEMICS.

 

This World AIDS Day, UNAIDS is highlighting the urgent need to end the inequalities that drive AIDS and other pandemics around the world. Read statements from leaders around the world

Without bold action against inequalities, the world risks missing the targets to end AIDS by 2030, as well as a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and a spiralling social and economic crisis.

Forty years since the first AIDS cases were reported, HIV still threatens the world. Today, the world is off track from delivering on the shared commitment to end AIDS by 2030 not because of a lack of knowledge or tools to beat AIDS, but because of structural inequalities that obstruct proven solutions to HIV prevention and treatment.

Economic, social, cultural and legal inequalities must be ended as a matter of urgency if we are to end AIDS by 2030.

Although there is a perception that a time of crisis is not the right time to prioritize tackling the underlying social injustices, it is clear that without doing so the crisis cannot be overcome.

Tackling inequalities is a long-standing global promise, the urgency of which has only increased. In 2015, all countries pledged to reduce inequalities within and between countries as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026: End Inequalities, End AIDS and the Political Declaration on AIDS adopted at the 2021 United Nations High-Level Meeting on AIDS have ending inequalities at their core.

As well as being central to ending AIDS, tackling inequalities will advance the human rights of key populations and people who are living with HIV, make societies better prepared to beat COVID-19 and other pandemics and support economic recovery and stability. Fulfilling the promise to tackle inequalities will save millions of lives and will benefit society as a whole.

But ending inequalities requires transformative change. Political, economic and social policies need to protect the rights of everyone and pay attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized communities.

We know how to beat AIDS, we know what the inequalities obstructing progress are and we know how to tackle them. The policies to address inequalities can be implemented, but they require leaders to be bold.

Governments must now move from commitment to action. Governments must promote inclusive social and economic growth. They must eliminate discriminatory laws, policies and practices in order to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities. It is time for governments to keep their promises. They must act now, and we must make them accountable.

This World AIDS Day let’s remind our governments that global inequalities affect us all, no matter who we are or where we are from. This World AIDS Day let’s demand action to end inequalities and end AIDS and all other pandemics that thrive on inequalities. 

PRESS RELEASE

UNAIDS warns of millions of AIDS-related deaths and continued devastation from pandemics if leaders don’t address inequalities

GENEVA, 29 November 2021—UNAIDS issued a stark warning today that if leaders fail to tackle inequalities the world could face 7.7 million* AIDS-related deaths over the next 10 years. UNAIDS further warns that if the transformative measures needed to end AIDS are not taken, the world will also stay trapped in the COVID-19 crisis and remain dangerously unprepared for the pandemics to come.

KEY MESSAGES

Top-line messages

We face an AIDS emergency.

We can’t afford not to act. Unless leaders take bold action to end the inequalities driving AIDS, we face millions more deaths.

If the transformative measures needed on AIDS are not taken, the world will also stay trapped in the Covid crisis and be dangerously unprepared for the pandemics to come. 

We can still end AIDS by 2030, but only if we act courageously and together to take on inequalities.  

We know what works from seeing brilliant responses in some places – but we need to apply that everywhere for everyone.

We have an effective strategy that leaders agreed this year at the UN – but it needs to be implemented in full.

The transformative approach that we need to end AIDS will also protect the world against future pandemics.

The measures needed to tackle inequalities include: 

• Community-led and people-centred infrastructure
• Equitable access to medicines, vaccines and health technologies
• Human rights, to build trust and tackle pandemics
• Elevating essential workers, and providing them with the resources and tools they need 
• People-centred data systems that highlight inequalities

We have reached a fork in the road. The choice for leaders to make is between bold action and half-measures. The data is clear: it is being too gradual that is the unaffordable choice.

Every minute that passes, we are losing a precious life to AIDS. We don’t have time.

End inequalities. End AIDS. End pandemics.

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