World AIDS Day 2025

World AIDS Day, observed every year on 1 December, remains one of the most important global health awareness days, honouring lives lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrating progress, and uniting communities worldwide in the ongoing fight against the epidemic.

This year’s theme, “Let communities lead,” continues to shine a spotlight on the essential role of community leadership in ending HIV. Community organisations, peer groups, activists, healthcare workers, and people living with HIV are not just contributors. They are the driving force behind meaningful, lasting change.

In this blog, Anna Nova Galeon explores key definitions, global statistics, scientific progress, and the powerful impact of community leadership in achieving a future free from HIV.

This year's theme – “Let communities lead”

“Let communities lead” sends a strong message: HIV responses are at their strongest when communities have the resources, support, and authority to take the lead.

Across the world, communities are:

• Delivering frontline prevention and treatment services

• Creating stigma-free spaces for support and education

• Reaching populations that health systems often overlook

• Holding governments and institutions accountable

• Advocating for human rights, safety, and equality. 

When communities are empowered, HIV prevention improves, treatment engagement increases, and stigma declines, bringing us closer to the goal of ending AIDS.

Key definitions

Here are essential terms to support understanding of HIV and prevention:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - A virus that weakens the immune system by targeting CD4 cells.

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) - The advanced stage of HIV, marked by a severely weakened immune system.

• Undetectable Viral Load (UVL) - When treatment reduces HIV in the blood to extremely low levels.

• U = U: Undetectable = Untransmittable - People who maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.

• PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) - A preventive medication for HIV-negative individuals that significantly reduces the risk of infection.

Key facts and statistics

Based on recent global figures from UNAIDS and WHO:

• 39 million people are living with HIV worldwide.

• Around 1.3 million people acquire HIV each year.

• Approximately 630,000 people die annually from AIDS-related illnesses.

• Significant progress has been made toward the global 95-95-95 goals:

  • 95% of people living with HIV should know their status

  • 95% of those diagnosed should be on treatment

  • 95% of those on treatment should achieve viral suppression. 

• The world remains committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Communities are central to reaching these targets.

Empowering communities: Tackling HIV stigma and discrimination

Stigma and discrimination remain among the biggest obstacles to HIV testing, treatment, and long-term care.

Community groups play a vital role by:

• Providing safe, stigma-free spaces

• Offering mental health and peer support

• Leading culturally relevant HIV education

• Encouraging open conversations about testing and treatment

• Challenging laws and attitudes that marginalise people living with HIV. 

When stigma falls, more people feel safe to seek testing, access treatment early, and stay engaged in care, improving outcomes for individuals and communities alike.

Scientific progress: Transformative advances in prevention and treatment

Scientific innovation continues to change what is possible for HIV prevention and care.

Key developments include:

• PrEP, a highly effective prevention method for those at risk

• Long-acting injectable PrEP, improving convenience and access

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables people with HIV to live long, healthy lives

• Clear evidence that individuals with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually. 

These breakthroughs reduce transmission risk, increase life expectancy, and empower people to live healthy, full lives.

Community engagement: Turning awareness into action

Community-led efforts go far beyond awareness events. Their involvement shapes HIV responses at every level, including:

• Contributing to research and clinical trials

• Advocating for equal access to healthcare

• Supporting outreach in high-risk and underserved groups

• Driving prevention programmes in schools, workplaces, and local areas

• Collaborating with governments, organisations, and health systems. 

Real progress happens when communities are supported to lead, not just participate.

Take action with The Mandatory Training Group

Awareness begins with informed teams and strong organisational systems. World AIDS Day is a reminder that every service plays a role in promoting safety, understanding, and good practice.

The Mandatory Training Group supports organisations with accredited online training and learning solutions that help staff meet statutory and mandatory requirements, strengthening knowledge, awareness, and confidence across the workforce.

ComplyPlus™ provides a digital compliance management system that helps organisations organise their policies, training, and governance in one place. With structured, inspection-ready tools, it supports safer, well-managed environments where awareness and accountability can grow.

Together, we can build safer workplaces, stronger communities, and a more informed response to HIV, today and every day.