Thailand reaffirms commitment to eliminating HIV/AIDS by 2030

In a renewed effort to combat HIV/AIDS, Thailand's Cabinet has officially endorsed the 2026 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, underscoring the nation's ongoing commitment to eliminating the disease as a public health threat by 2030.

The draft declaration also highlights Thailand's intention to bolster international collaboration to ensure fair and widespread access to preventive measures, treatment and care.

Lalida Pertwiwattana, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's office, announced on Tuesday that the declaration will be presented as Thailand's official stance at this week's United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York this week.

Held every five years, the high-level meeting serves as a vital forum for UN member nations to evaluate global progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS and determine strategic priorities moving forward. This year, representatives endorsed a global collaboration framework for 2026–2031 under the theme "Together to End HIV/AIDS by 2030".

Lalida noted that Thailand has consistently garnered international acclaim for its multifaceted approach to reducing HIV transmission, which includes promoting prevention, early diagnosis, antiretroviral therapies, stigma reduction initiatives, and programs designed to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

"These measures have significantly lowered both new infections and AIDS-related deaths over the years," Lalida remarked.

In pursuing an ambitious national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS, Thailand aims to reach three key milestones by 2030: reducing new infections to fewer than 1,000 cases, lowering AIDS-related fatalities to fewer than 4,000 per year, and diminishing HIV-related and gender-based discrimination by 90 percent.

"The 2026 draft declaration acknowledges that progress has recently slowed due to global funding challenges," Lalida explained. "It calls for renewed momentum, emphasizing that the fight against HIV/AIDS extends beyond medical science to encompass issues of equity, inclusion and basic human rights."

As the global community works toward the 2030 goal, she underlined that sustained political will and a concentrated effort to reach marginalized populations remain critical components of success.

The declaration, she added, reflects a shared understanding that ending HIV/AIDS is both a scientific and a societal challenge — a call to action for a more inclusive, equitable future.

yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn