WORLD AIDS DAY
1st DECEMBER, 2025
World AIDS Day, observed every year on 1st December since 1988, serves as a powerful reminder that HIV has not gone away and continues to affect millions of lives globally. It provides a platform for Governments, communities, and civil society to unite in the fight against HIV & AIDS, honour those -we have lost, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting all those living with and affected by HIV.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2025, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” stresses the need to strengthen and reimagine our approach to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. It calls for transformative solutions that enhance access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care services while protecting human rights and ensuring equitable, compassionate healthcare for all, especially women, girls, and LGBTQ+ communities who continue to face disproportionate barriers.
On this occasion, let us renew our pledge to eliminate stigma, discrimination, and inequalities that hinder access to HIV-related services. Strengthening health systems, promoting inclusive policies, and raising awareness across communities remain essential to advancing progress in prevention, treatment, and research. I encourage all individuals to make use of the free and confidential HIV & AIDS services available across these islands.
Together, with determination, unity, unwavering commitment, and a persistent human-rights-centered approach, we can still achieve our shared vision of a world free from AIDS.
Admiral D K Joshi
PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.)
Lt. Governor, A & N Islands
& Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency