Guterres : To beat AIDS – and build resilience against the pandemics of tomorrow – we need collective action

“To beat AIDS – and build resilience against the pandemics of tomorrow – we need collective action” said UN Secretary General António Guterres in his message for the World AIDS Day.

“On this World AIDS Day, we focus attention on the inequalities that drive HIV and AIDS” stated UN Chief.

The United Nations General Assembly recently adopted a bold new plan to accelerate progress, including new targets for 2025.  .

He reminded that it is still possible to end the epidemic by 2030. But that will require stepped up action and greater solidarity.

That includes harnessing the leadership of communities to drive change, combatting stigma, and eliminating discriminatory and punitive laws, policies and practices, Guterres stated.

Guterres emphasized the importance of access to health services and said “We must also dismantle financial barriers to health care and increase investment in vital public services to achieve Universal Health Coverage for everyone, everywhere.”

This will ensure equal access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care, including COVID-19 vaccinations and services, he said.

Guterres ended his message saying “Together, let us recommit to end inequalities and end AIDS.”

Unless leaders tackle stark inequalities, the world could face 7.7 million AIDS-related deaths over the next 10 years, the Joint UN Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has warned ahead of World AIDS Day in a new report.