The initial global response to HIV focussed on prevention through behaviour change and research into a vaccine. However, it became clear that knowledge of transmission was not enough to stop the epidemic.
In the mid-2000s, the global response accelerated rapidly with universal access to treatment becoming a major priority. Recently, there have been calls to intensify global efforts with the UNAIDS Fast Track Strategy aiming to end the epidemic by 2030.
Find out more here about current global political and financial commitments to the epidemic.
In recent years, international organisations have committed to ambitious targets to end the HIV epidemic within the next 20 years.
Despite progress in mobilising global HIV funding, a resources gap is expected as donor financing falls and more people require treatment.