(Kaieteur News) – Latin American and Caribbean nations have thrown their support behind a new United Nations Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, reaffirming their commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 despite shrinking global funding, widening inequalities and persistent stigma that continue to hamper the fight against the disease.

The declaration, adopted at the close of the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York, sets a new global roadmap for 2026-2031, outlining commitments to expand equitable access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment, close financing gaps, strengthen community-led responses, protect human rights and improve access to lifesaving medicines.

“We welcome the adoption of the new Political Declaration, which serves as a road map to guide the HIV response over the next five years, and which received strong support from governments across our region. This is undoubtedly an important signal that countries remain committed to the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “We recognize the work of all actors in the HIV response—from communities to governments—in helping us reach this renewed commitment.”