PANAMA, 30 October 2025—UNAIDS congratulates the Government and people of Barbados on obtaining certification of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as determined by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Barbados was among the countries in the Americas that, in 2010, committed to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis under PAHO’s Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections. 

In 2025, PAHO/WHO conducted a visit to the island to assess services for pregnant and breastfeeding women, including testing and diagnostic services, as well as HIV-related services, maternal and child health clinics, immunization and epidemiological surveillance services that are essential to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. 

“UNAIDS is delighted to share in this achievement, made possible by the work and leadership of health-care workers, people living with HIV, civil society, and technical and political leaders, whose efforts have helped ensure that all women can receive the treatment and care they need to prevent HIV transmission to their babies,” said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Today, we celebrate this achievement, which adds to the progress made across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Brazil, which was certified in December 2025. With the addition of Barbados, the region now accounts for 15 of the 23 countries and territories worldwide that have achieved certification of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, compared with 8 in other regions. This represents approximately 65% of all certifications globally and reflects the region's commitment, while reaffirming the importance of safeguarding the progress achieved to advance towards ending AIDS as a public health threat. 

UNAIDS recognizes PAHO’s leadership in the region and the work of all partners and allies, at both national and regional levels, who have contributed to these efforts. 

“The Caribbean has strong maternal health programmes that offer valuable lessons on how to protect the health and well-being of women and their babies,” Cabal said. “This achievement reflects political commitment, technical and community leadership, as well as investment in integrated health services grounded in human rights and gender equality.” 

UNAIDS encourages the Government of Barbados to build on this achievement through sustained investment in maternal and child health services, reliable access to medicines and diagnostic tests, action to tackle stigma and discrimination, and support for community-led responses that keep women and their families connected to care.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Geneva/New York, 26 October 2026—UNAIDS welcomes the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) on 12 October 2026, a significant reaffirmation of global solidarity and multilateral cooperation in the face of growing health threats.

UNAIDS particularly welcomes the Declaration's emphasis on equity, cooperation and benefit-sharing. The lessons of AIDS, COVID-19 and Ebola are clear: health security depends not only on scientific innovation and strong health systems, but also on whether lifesaving technologies and services reach everyone who needs them, especially the communities most affected.

Governments must now urgently conclude an equitable agreement on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system. This is an essential next step in turning the commitments of the Declaration into action. Beyond PABS, UNAIDS calls for stronger commitments to technology sharing and investment in local and regional production of lifesaving health technologies. Building these capacities to fight today's pandemics is also essential to ensuring equitable access when the next pandemic strikes.

"The real test starts now. Action cannot wait for the next pandemic," said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "We must invest in equity today if we want to be prepared for tomorrow."

For more than three decades, UNAIDS has worked with governments, communities, scientists and partners to respond to HIV and AIDS. This experience has demonstrated that pandemics cannot be defeated by medicines and diagnostics alone. Success depends on political leadership, sustained investment, community engagement, respect for human rights and the empowerment of people most affected.

The Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics, convened by UNAIDS, has provided compelling evidence that inequality is not simply a consequence of pandemics; it is a driver of their spread and impact. Pandemics, in turn, deepen existing inequalities, creating a vicious cycle.

In its report and subsequent analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Council found that countries ranked as more prepared under conventional global preparedness measures did not, on average, achieve better outcomes in responding to COVID-19 or AIDS. By contrast, countries with lower levels of inequality tended to achieve better outcomes.

These findings challenge the way the world measures pandemic preparedness. Laboratory capacity, disease surveillance, emergency response systems and medical technologies are indispensable. But they are not sufficient. Their effectiveness can be undermined by economic inequality, discrimination, weak social protection and the exclusion of communities most at risk.

UNAIDS therefore calls for a fundamental shift in how pandemic preparedness is assessed and measured. National and global preparedness frameworks must go beyond technical health capacities to assess income and social inequalities, access to healthcare, social protection, discrimination, and the strength of community-led systems. Countries must be equipped not only to detect and respond to outbreaks, but also to protect people from the social and economic shocks that pandemics unleash.

This means integrating inequality assessments into national preparedness and response plans, investing in emergency social protection and community-led responses, and ensuring that pandemic measures reduce rather than deepen inequalities.

It also requires a fairer international financial system. Developing countries need access to affordable finance and sufficient fiscal space to strengthen health systems and respond to emergencies. Countries and international financial institutions should consider measures such as suspending debt repayments during pandemics, alongside broader debt relief and financing reforms, so that governments can protect lives and livelihoods rather than divert scarce resources to debt servicing.

The PABS system, being negotiated as an annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement, is intended to link the rapid sharing of pathogens and scientific information with the fair and equitable sharing of vaccines, diagnostics and treatments developed from them. A strong agreement would help build trust between countries and enable a faster, fairer global response to future health emergencies.

The AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics also exposed the dangers of concentrating the production of lifesaving technologies in a handful of countries and regions. Expanding local and regional manufacturing, supported by technology transfer, stronger regulatory capacity and sustainable financing, is essential to building resilient supply chains and ensuring that lifesaving innovations reach people everywhere.

"Thirty years of responding to HIV have taught us that health security and social justice go hand in hand," said Byanyima. "A country cannot be truly prepared for a pandemic if millions of its people cannot access healthcare, lack social protection or are excluded because of poverty or discrimination. We must measure preparedness by how well countries can protect everyone, especially those most vulnerable."

The measure of global pandemic preparedness must be not only how quickly the world detects a threat or develops a vaccine, but how effectively and equitably it protects every life.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

UNAIDS strongly condemns the destruction of a warehouse containing HIV supplies in the region of Kyiv. The warehouse, which was destroyed on 19 July, was used by Ukraine’s National HIV Prevention Programme to store HIV prevention supplies for programmes reaching more than 300,000 people each year.  

Thanks to advance distribution across Ukraine, services will continue uninterrupted through to the end of 2026. However, the destroyed supplies were intended for 2027 and must be urgently replaced to prevent future shortages. 

“Attacks on medical facilities and lifesaving health commodities violate international humanitarian law,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Even in war, there are rules. Health facilities and medical supplies must never be targeted. Destroying HIV prevention supplies puts lives at risk, and I must speak out.” 

UNAIDS is working with the Ministry of Health and partners to replace the lost supplies and ensure uninterrupted access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care. Protecting these lifesaving services is an urgent priority. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

CARACAS/PANAMA CITY, 2 July 2026—UNAIDS mourns the tragic loss of life and expresses solidarity with the people and communities affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June. UNAIDS reaffirms its commitment to supporting efforts to ensure the continuity of HIV-related services during the emergency. 

“The disruption of health services and population displacement caused by the disaster have created significant challenges for people living with HIV and other vulnerable populations,” said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “UNAIDS is working alongside national authorities, United Nations agencies, community organizations and development partners to help ensure support and continued access to HIV treatment, care and information.” 

According to the latest update from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 2,295 people have lost their lives, more than 11,200 have been injured and over 26,000 have been directly affected. At least 38 hospitals have sustained damage, posing significant challenges to the continuity of health services. 

As part of these efforts, the UNAIDS office in Venezuela activated an Emergency Registry to identify and support people living with HIV affected by the crisis. As of 30 June, 69% of registered individuals reported having interrupted their antiretroviral treatment and 28% reported needing psychological support as a result of the emergency, highlighting the urgent need to adopt measures to ensure continuity of care and access to essential medicines. 

The United Nations system, in coordination with national authorities, is providing a multisectoral response in three strategic locations across La Guaira state, the area hardest hit by the earthquakes, to address the population’s most urgent needs. 

UNAIDS is working with multiple partners to protect the continuity of HIV-related services, in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme. In addition, in collaboration with the Venezuelan Network of Positive People (Red Venezolana de Gente Positiva), UNAIDS is strengthening community-based mechanisms to facilitate access to antiretroviral treatment and provide timely information to people affected. 

During the first week of the humanitarian response, UNAIDS adapted existing guidance for HIV in emergencies to be applied in the specific context of Venezuela for the support to people living with HIV during emergencies and disasters. The guidance is intended for the Health Cluster and partner organizations within the Humanitarian Country Team that lead interventions in the initial shelters and reception sites established, to support continuity of care and protect the rights of affected people. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 23 June 2026— At a moment of growing pressure and roadblocks to international cooperation, the United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS concluded today with overwhelming majority of Member States adopting a new Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS with strong support. The declaration reaffirms global commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and sets specific and important new targets. 

The outcome follows weeks of negotiations with all Member States and engagement with communities, civil society and partners and demonstrates that, even in an environment marked by reduced international financing and multilateralism, countries continue to recognise the urgency of sustaining progress against HIV. 

The declaration will serve as an important road map to advance further success in the global HIV response over the next five years, guiding global efforts to accelerate additional progress despite decreases in funding for HIV and anti-rights headwinds. Notably, the 2026 political declaration reflects the ambitious targets contained in the new Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and committed to convene a High-Level Meeting in 2031 to review progress against the pandemic after the 2030 milestone.  

Setting out an agenda to evolve the global AIDS response for the shifting pandemic, it includes important new and ambitious targets and commitments to increase equitable coverage of HIV testing, treatment and prevention; addressing funding gaps; protect human rights and gender equity; expand access to HIV medicines and other technologies through sharing of technology and strengthening local production for sustainability; and expanding the space for communities and civil society in the AIDS response.   

“This Political Declaration has sent a clear message: HIV remains one of the defining health and development challenges of our time, and the world cannot afford complacency. We leave New York with renewed political commitment and a shared understanding that progress is possible when countries lead, communities are empowered and solidarity is sustained. South Africa remains firmly committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat and to ensuring that no one is left behind in the next phase of the response,” said Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health of South Africa. 

Javier Padilla, Spain’s State Secretary for Health said, “This is a positive development in a moment when multilateral cooperation is being tested. Countries have sent an important signal. Despite differences and a more complex political context, there remains strong support for sustaining progress and accelerating action to end AIDS.”  

"This outcome shows that even in a very difficult global environment, countries remain committed to collective action in responding to the AIDS pandemic. The challenge now is to sustain investment, strengthen partnerships and deliver results for people,” said Madalitso Baloyi, Minister of Health from Malawi.

The High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS was convened by the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock with the co-facilitators—Permanent Representative of the Republic of Botswana, Ambassador David Masole, and Permanent Representative of Georgia, Ambassador David Bakradze leading negotiations on the political declaration. 

“That so many Member States voted to support this political declaration in the moment is recognition that our progress remains worth protecting and that there is willingness to sustain the actions we need to achieve the 2030 goal.” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. 

“The strong support shown for this Political Declaration on HIV, reflects our shared recognition of the progress achieved to date, while acknowledging that important challenges remain,” said Mariangela Simao, Brazil's Secretary of Health and environmental Surveillance at the Ministry of Health. 

The High-Level Meeting brought together people living with HIV, communities, civil society, the private sector, scientists and leaders to reflect on progress in the AIDS response, the risks to sustaining it and priorities for the next five years. 

Member States emphasized that domestic resource mobilization and international solidarity must reinforce one another rather than act as substitutes and stressed that financing transitions must support sustainable national responses. 

Delegates highlighted the opportunities created by integration, innovation, and the importance of ensuring equitable access to new prevention and treatment approaches. 

The importance of community leadership was highlighted throughout discussions and the declaration itself. There was also reaffirmation for the fact that communities continue to play an indispensable role in service delivery, accountability and reaching people left behind. Speakers and the declaration stressed that communities must remain central to implementation and governance. 

“In today’s political context, this political declaration is a major win. Communities have fought for every gain in the HIV response, nothing has been handed to us. This declaration shows that commitment to ending AIDS remains strong, and communities will continue pushing until AIDS is ended as a public health threat,” said Florence Anam, Executive Director of GNP+. Delegates emphasized the continuing role of the United Nations and the importance of reinforcing the unique, multi-stakeholder coordiantion of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).  

“Governments of the world, supported by communities, have come together and affirmed that multilateralism is alive and well. A majority of countries have adopted a strong declaration that sets ambitious targets for the world to race to the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat. They have kept the promise of 25 years ago,” said Winnie Byanyima. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 22 June 2026—The United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS opened today at a moment of incertitude for the global AIDS response. Decades of progress have delivered what once seemed impossible: millions of lives saved, new HIV infections reduced, and treatment expanded around the world. 

However, as global leaders gather in New York to adopt a new UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, the last Declaration before the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, that progress is increasingly threatened due to funding cuts and a push back on human rights. Global leaders face a defining question: will the world protect hard-won gains and accelerate towards ending AIDS? 

“This Political Declaration is our chance to build on 25 years of commitment and point the way to 2030 to show that multilateralism can deliver,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “We cannot fail, because we know what we must do: commit to multilateralism; sustain international financing as countries mobilize their own resources; protect the rights of people living with HIV; let communities lead for their people; and spur the science, so that innovations reach everyone in need as fast as possible, if we do these things, we can end AIDS.” 

New data from 2025 released by UNAIDS ahead of the meeting show that sustained investment, scientific advances and community-led efforts have led to tremendous success against AIDS. Since 2010, AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 56%, new HIV infections decreased by 43%, and 32.1 million people (78% of the 40.9 million people living with HIV) are now accessing treatment. 

“The global multilateral response to HIV has become not only one of the United Nations’ greatest success stories, but one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of public global health,” said Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly. “Providing a blueprint for confronting other global health emergencies, from Ebola to COVID-19.” 

However, UNAIDS’ new data for 2025 also show that success is fragile. Nearly 9 million people living with HIV are not on treatment. In 2025, global development assistance fell by 23%—the sharpest drop on record. Unless funding is maintained, there is a serious risk of HIV treatment interruptions—which will lead to rising rates of new infections and deaths. Between 2024 and 2025 HIV testing programmes fell by 22% in high-burden settings and funding for condoms has been cut by more than 90% in some cases. 

“This meeting is a chance to demonstrate that, even in difficult times, the international community can rally, once again, around science, around human dignity, solidarity and shared responsibility,” said Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivering remarks on behalf of the UN Secretary-General. “The responsibility to end AIDS as a public threat by 2030 belongs to each and every one of us. Let us move forward together—with a sense of urgency, with solidarity and with ambition.” 

Recent funding cuts from multiple donors have severely impacted HIV prevention and community-led services, and criminalization of key populations is increasing for the first time since UNAIDS began tracking these trends. As a result, many communities at highest risk for HIV—including young women and girls, men who have sex with men, sex workers and people who inject drugs—are facing major challenges in accessing lifesaving HIV services.  

“Progress is real and it is fragile. Without renewed commitments and actions, we risk a resurgence of the epidemic. Community led services are disappearing and prevention programmes are being scaled back. Across many parts of the world commitments to gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights and inclusion of key populations are being weakened,” said Keren Dunaway, International Community of Women Living with HIV. “These gains were not handed to us. They were won through decades of advocacy. The future of the response will depend on the choices we make in this room.” 

Importantly, there are windows of opportunity. Domestic financing for HIV rose from 28% in 2010 to 52% in 2024, however it cannot replace global solidarity. Regional initiatives like the Accra Reset or the African Union Roadmap to 2030 are examples of a new and progressive face to aid and development. Also, new innovations, particularly long-acting HIV prevention medicines, are becoming available and have the potential to significantly advance the end of AIDS—but only if implemented at scale and with regional production. 

“Just as an earlier generation transformed crisis into action, we must transform today’s uncertainty into tomorrow’s progress. Future generations will judge us by whether or not, when the finish line was finally in sight, we dug deep and found the courage to cross it. The world has come too far. The stakes are too high. And the opportunity is too great. Now is not the time to quit. It is time to finish the job,” said Sandra Thurman, AIDS advocate. 

The United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS is taking place from 22 to 23 June. At this meeting, UN Member States will consider a new Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS which will establish the direction of the global HIV response for the next five years. The 2026 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS is mandated to feature new global targets for 2030, ideally, mirroring those in the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031and reflecting UN Member States’ renewed commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

PANAMA CITY/GENEVA, 4 June 2026—UNAIDS congratulates the Turks and Caicos Islands on certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for eliminating both mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B.  

To receive the certification, countries must meet strict criteria, including reducing the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV to below 2%, maintaining fewer than 50 new paediatric infections per 100,000 live births, and achieving at least 95% coverage for antenatal care, testing and treatment among pregnant women.  

Across the Caribbean, countries and territories have worked towards the global targets of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. WHO and PAHO first certified Cuba in 2015 for dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. In 2017, certifications followed for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis.  

More recently, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have also been certified. The Bahamas received its certification in April 2026. The Turks and Caicos Islands now become the thirteenth Caribbean country or territory to reach this milestone and the latest proof that the region continues to lead the world on this agenda.  

"The Turks and Caicos Islands have just written their name into a growing list of Caribbean jurisdictions that are showing the world what determined, rights-based public health action looks like,” said the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima. “As we head into the High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York, this is the message the world needs to hear: elimination is not a distant ambition it is achievable, one birth at a time.”  

In 2010, countries of the Americas committed to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. They endorsed a regional strategy that was later updated through PAHO's Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections. To reach elimination targets, countries have strengthened HIV prevention and treatment within primary health care and maternal and child health services through wider screening during pregnancy, better follow-up for babies exposed to HIV and faster access to medicines and care. 

The Turks and Caicos Islands' certification is part of the broader Elimination of Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV Plus Initiative, which focuses on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and congenital Chagas disease. The initiative is implemented in collaboration with UNICEF and UNAIDS and is embedded within PAHO's Elimination Initiative, a regional effort to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.  

The Caribbean has reduced new HIV infections among children by 34% from 2010 to 2024. Of the 23 certifications of mother-to-child transmission of HIV completed globally to date, 57% are from the Caribbean—a record that reflects decades of political commitment, technical and community leadership and investment in integrated health services grounded in human rights and gender equality.  

UNAIDS encourages the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands to protect and build on this achievement, through continued investment in maternal and child health services, reliable access to medicines and diagnostics, action to tackle stigma and discrimination, and support for community-led responses that keep women and families connected to care.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 11 May 2026—UNAIDS mourns the death of Botswana’s former president Festus Mogae. President Mogae led Botswana between 1998 and 2008, tackling Botswana’s HIV pandemic with resolve and dedication as the country faced one of highest HIV burdens in the world.  

Under his leadership, Botswana became the first African country to launch a national, free and comprehensive HIV treatment programme, setting a precedent for the region and the world. During President Mogae’s tenure, AIDS-related deaths were reduced by 39% and new HIV infections among children were reduced by 73%, putting Botswana well on the path to ending AIDS. In 2021, Botswana became the first high burden country in the world to reach the Path to eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV.   

He understood early that ending AIDS required more than medicine alone. He consistently called on leaders to confront stigma, discrimination and inequality, recognizing that protecting human rights was essential to protecting public health. 

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former President Festus Gontebanye Mogae,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “He was a courageous and visionary leader who confronted HIV with honesty, science and compassion when few dared to do so. At a time when many questioned whether African countries could deliver universal HIV treatment, President Mogae demonstrated that bold political leadership, national ownership and investment in people could change the course of an epidemic. His legacy lives on in the many lives saved and changed and in the global AIDS response he helped shape. May he rest in power and peace.”

President Mogae remained a strong advocate for the AIDS response after his time in office. He devoted his time and voice to urging governments to lead with courage, compassion and accountability. In 2008 he launched, and served as Chairman, of the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation, a distinguished group of former presidents and influential African leaders committed to achieving an AIDS-free generation in Africa. He was also a member of UNAIDS High-Level Commission on HIV Prevention and member of the UNAIDS-Lancet Commission on Defeating AIDS–Advancing Global Health. 

In 2008, President Mogae was awarded the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in 2008, including for his outstanding leadership on HIV response in Botswana and the rest of the African continent.  

During his presidency, President Mogae led and championed an inclusive national HIV response, including access to treatment, fighting stigma and ending discrimination. President Mogae leaves an undisputed HIV legacy, which carried through Botswana’s successive leaders in the fight against the epidemic. UNAIDS joins the Government of the Republic of Botswana, its people and his family and the entire world in paying tribute to president Mogae.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Kingston/Geneva, 23 April 2026—UNAIDS congratulates the Bahamas on eliminating both mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B. The certifications, awarded by the World Health Organization (WHO), with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), recognize sustained progress to ensure that pregnant women have access to quality antenatal care, get tested on time and start treatment early. The result has been that babies have been born free of preventable infections. 

In 2010, countries of the Americas committed to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. They endorsed a regional strategy that was later updated through PAHO’s Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections. To reach elimination targets, countries have strengthened HIV prevention and treatment within primary health care and maternal and child health services through wider screening during pregnancy, better follow-up for babies exposed to HIV and faster access to medicines and care. 

“The Bahamas are showing that eliminating mother-to-child transmission HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is possible,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “This achievement reflects political will for steady investment in primary health care and the dedication of health teams and people living with and most affected by HIV. When women can test early in pregnancy, start treatment without delay and stay in care, every child has a better chance of being born free of HIV.” 

Validation suggests that a country or territory has met the required impact and programme indicators and that it can show results are being sustained. 

Across the Caribbean, countries and territories have worked towards the global targets of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. WHO and PAHO first certified Cuba in 2015 for dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. In 2017, certifications followed for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. More recently, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have also been certified. 

UNAIDS recognizes PAHO’s leadership in driving the regional elimination agenda and supporting countries through its Elimination Platform. The platform helps bring together ministries of health, communities and partners to speed up action and sustain results. UNAIDS works closely with PAHO across the region, alongside the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, civil society and community-led organizations to strengthen services, improve surveillance and close remaining gaps so elimination gains are protected and expanded. 

The certifications come as the world pushes to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Preventing HIV infections among children remains a global priority. Between 2010 and 2024 new HIV infections among children were reduced by 62% from 310 000 in 2010 to 120 000 in 2024. 

UNAIDS calls for continued investment to protect these gains. That means stronger, integrated maternal, newborn and child health services; reliable access to quality-assured medicines, diagnostics and supplies; action to tackle stigma and discrimination; and support for community-led responses that help women and families stay connected to care. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.