Today, the global community is at a crossroads in the fight against HIV and AIDS: For the first time since the start of the epidemic, an AIDS-free generation is within reach.
Such is the message conveyed by major international organizations fighting to stem the growth of the pandemic worldwide. Important gains have been achieved in the past decade — new HIV infections have fallen 38 percent since 2001, while AIDS-related deaths have decreased 35 percent since they peaked in 2005 — fuelling global optimism that the tools now exist to overcome HIV and AIDS. But putting an end to the epidemic will require enhanced commitment and funding from all stakeholders.
In this spirit, UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria decided to renew their cooperation agreement in early December — a move that both organizations hope will be the tipping point in reversing the HIV and AIDS epidemic.