Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at World AIDS Day - December 1st, 2025

Mr. Chair, dear colleagues, friends,

On World AIDS Day, Brazil is honored to once again join this celebration and share its perspective on such a critical issue as HIV and AIDS.

This year is particularly significant for us. In 2025, Brazil assumed the presidency of the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) of UNAIDS, at a time of major financial and programmatic challenges for the global HIV response. A time also of setbacks related to human rights protection, especially women's rights.

As the current president of the PCB, we reaffirm our historical commitment to the fight against HIV by hosting the 57th session of the Board in Brasília, from 16th to 18th December, at a crucial moment for the adoption of the next global aids strategy (2026 – 2031).

Over recent months, the board has addressed key issues such as the new global AIDS strategy for 2026-2031 and the organization’s funding crisis. As chair of this multi-stakeholder body, Brazil reaffirms UNAIDS’ vital role in achieving the goal of ending aids as a public health threat by 2030.

Mr. Chair,

Brazil has indeed a longstanding history in fighting HIV. The year of 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the HIV/AIDS response in Brazil, which we celebrate with an exhibition that integrates physical and digital installations and includes reference to UNAIDS 25th anniversary in Brazil.  

In 1996, we set up one of the first programs to provide free and universal access to antirretroviral therapy, drastically reducing transmission and transforming HIV into a manageable condition. Brazil has shown that a developing country can deliver essential treatments equitably and efficiently on a continental scale, through global health engagement and in alliance with civil society.

In 2023, Brazil proudly reduced the HIV mother-to-child transmission rate below 2%. The HIV incidence rate in children was less than 0.5 cases per thousand live births. The AIDS mortality rate in Brazil was 3.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023 – the lowest since 2013. In addition, in 2023 and 2024, Brazil recorded more than 95% coverage of at least one prenatal consultation, HIV testing in pregnant women during prenatal care, and treatment of pregnant women living with HIV and/or AIDS. 

Brazil has also played a decisive role in advocating for equitable access to medicines and advancing historic agreements, such as the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health, and the creation of Unitaid - dedicated to expanding access to medical innovations. We helped build a global governance framework rooted in solidarity and focused on people living with HIV and those in vulnerable situations.

Yet challenges remain. Inequalities, stigma, discrimination, and structural barriers persist. These must be addressed if we are to sustain and accelerate progress.

Today, we face another pivotal moment - similar to the early 1990s, when antiretroviral therapy revolutionized treatment. We now have the opportunity to control the epidemic with a breakthrough drug: Lenacapavir.

Nonetheless, the high cost of the drug prevents its adoption within Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS). Gilead, the U.S.-based manufacturer and patent holder, has signed licensing agreements with a few producers, but these are restricted to 120 low-income countries, excluding middle-income nations - where most new infections occur.

UNITAID is working to accelerate the introduction of generic Lenacapavir at the lowest possible price. In 2025, it announced a 22 million dollar investment, in partnership with Fiocruz - a leading Brazilian public health institution - to promote equitable access to Lenacapavir and other innovative technologies.

Achieving SDG 3.3 depends on making new HIV treatment technologies accessible to all. In Brazil and globally, factors such as income, education, gender, race, and place of birth profoundly affect health and life expectancy. As we know, "social injustice kills on a grand scale" and this applies to HIV and AIDS.

While reaffirming our commitment to sexual and reproductive rights, we emphasize the need for an intersectional approach in public health policies - one that addresses gender, race, ethnicity, and other identity markers, recognizing how overlapping forms of discrimination shape health outcomes. Brazil's "Guidelines for Addressing HIV/AIDS and Other STIs for Women in Vulnerable Situations" reflect this approach, and we urge all countries to adopt similar measures.

Finally, the new Pandemic Agreement, together with the Global Coalition for Local and Regional Production launched during Brazil's G20 presidency represents a potential breakthrough against AIDS and other epidemics and sanitary crises. These initiatives can help us prepare for future health crises by tackling inequalities and addressing social determinants.

Mr. Chair, dear friends,

Brazil remains a committed partner in the global fight to end AIDS. In the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, Member States agreed to convene a high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS in 2026 to review progress. Brazil stands ready to actively engage in this process and reiterates its full commitment to implementing the 2021 Declaration.

As Executive Director Winnie Byanyima reminded us during the launch of UNAIDS’ latest report, we need sustained investment in communities, prevention, innovation, and the protection of human rights as the pathway to ending AIDS.

To achieve this, we must reaffirm our commitment to global solidarity and multilateralism, while strengthening international assistance, capacity-building, technology transfer, and ensuring equitable access to medicines and therapies for all who need them in developing countries.

Thank you.