HIV/AIDS activists concerned over UNAIDS looming closure

HIV/AIDS activist organisation, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), says the looming closure of UNAIDS is a major setback that threatens decades of progress in the fight against HIV.

The United Nations recently proposed closing the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS by the end of 2026 following significant funding cuts by the US.

This comes months after President Donald Trump slashed global HIV/AIDS funding, raising alarm over the impact on South Africa’s response — long supported by partners like PEPFAR.

Established in 1996, UNAIDS has been central to coordinating the global HIV response.

Speaking to Ynews, TAC Project Coordinator, Ndivhuwo Rambau, said the proposed closure comes at a crucial time, as the agency was expected to finalize a new five-year global strategy and help meet the 2030 goal to end AIDS.

She also appealed to world leaders to fully support and fund UNAIDS to ensure no one is left behind.

“So instead of sunsetting UNAIDS, the world must strengthen and fully fund it to finish the fight against AIDS, so that we make sure that no one is left behind. And when we say no one is left behind, we’re referring to key populations, people who use drugs, sex workers, trans people, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, to ensure that we are actually reaching 2030 and reaching the goal of ending AIDS.”

Rambau warned the cuts have already disrupted HIV testing, treatment, and education programmes in South Africa, which has long relied on international partners such as PEPFAR.

The TAC has also called on communities and global organisations to find new ways to continue the HIV response and rebuild momentum.

“And I mean, seeing that the funding disruptions have hit the world, especially when organizations were not necessarily expecting it, we can argue that most organizations are still finding their feet. And this has just been a broad lesson to everyone about the over-reliance on foreign funding, and it’s not the best methodology for us to work towards the AIDS response,” she said.

The NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS – representing organisations across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America — has also described the UN’s plan as “deeply concerning” and urged global solidarity to sustain the fight against HIV.

🚨 “Dismantling UNAIDS now would undermine decades of progress.”

TAC & SECTION27 call on UN Secretary-General not to “sunset” UNAIDS. #HIV gains are at risk amid deep funding cuts & weakened coordination.
➡️ Read the full press release: https://t.co/tMPW0nc4on

— UNAIDS South Africa (@UNAIDS_ZAF) September 26, 2025