22 September 2025

Joint Statement for immediate release by the Seven Alliance

The Seven Alliance, a coalition of seven regional community networks in Asia and the Pacific, expresses its urgent, grave concern in response to the UN Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiation report proposing to “sunset” UNAIDS by the end of 2026 and shift its mandate into a broader U.N. framework. Such action would come at a critical juncture for our region, where the HIV response is at risk of stalling and where disproportionately affected communities are already under strain.

UNAIDS has led the global HIV response, convened the efforts of U.N. cosponsor agencies, mobilized resources and held governments accountable. Critically, it has ensured that people living with and affected by HIV have a voice in shaping policies that impact their lives. This is the only institution in which communities are formally represented on the board through UNAIDS’ NGO Delegation. Our voices must be heard in decisions about the Joint Programme’s future.

In Asia and the Pacific, the numbers tell a story of fragile wins and stagnated progress. In 2024, approximately 6.9 million people were living with HIV in the region. There were an estimated 300,000 new infections and 150,000 AIDS-related deaths. New infections have declined by only 17 percent since 2010, falling far short of the global 40% average as well as the benchmarks required to meet the 2030 targets. Four of five new infections are among key population communities. In several places, young people account for around half of new infections. Most alarmingly, the epidemic is growing in nine countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Fiji, Lao PDR, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Timor Leste), putting regional health security at risk.

Without UNAIDS’ leadership, the fragile momentum in treatment coverage, prevention services, and policy reform is at serious risk of stalling or regressing. This move would also silence the voices of communities most affected, including key populations, young people, and women, especially from criminalized and marginalized groups. UNAIDS has ensured that community perspectives are included in national and regional responses in Asia and the Pacific. Removing or weakening this role will severely limit the ability of those who are disproportionately impacted to influence decisions that directly affect their survival and wellbeing.

Finally, dismantling UNAIDS at this time would erode trust in international commitments to equity, human rights, and the principle of leaving no one behind. In a region where stigma, discrimination, and restrictive laws continue to block access to essential prevention, testing, treatment, and care, communities depend on UNAIDS to challenge systemic barriers and advocate for inclusive, rights-based approaches.

The Seven Alliance urgently calls on member states, donors, and U.N. leadership to:

• Reject any accelerated timeline for closing UNAIDS and ensure it remains a strong, independent body with a robust mandate.
• Guarantee sustainable funding to close existing gaps in prevention, treatment, and care, and to support community-led efforts, including those led by key populations and young people.
• Protect and strengthen the leadership of communities in the HIV response by ensuring the continued participation of people living with HIV, key populations, young people, women and girls, and other marginalized groups in decision-making.

Proposing to sunset the sole UN entity mandated to uphold community leadership, gender equity, human rights, and data accountability within the HIV response poses a direct threat to lives. Without clear alternatives and robust safeguards, this decision risks erasing the lived realities of communities from data systems and policy processes, which can effectively silence those most impacted by and living with HIV.

The HIV response in Asia and the Pacific is at a crossroads. Weakening or dismantling UNAIDS risks undoing decades of progress and endangering millions of lives. The global community must act immediately to safeguard UNAIDS and reaffirm the commitment to ending AIDS once and for all.

Signed,

The Seven Alliance

APCOM Foundation

Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+)

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN)

International Community of Women Living with HIV Asia Pacific (ICW-AP)

Network of Asian People who Use Drugs (NAPUD)

Youth Leadership Education Advocacy and Development (Youth LEAD)