WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States will not take part in World AIDS Day for the first time since the commemoration began in 1988, after the State Department directed employees and federal grant recipients not to use government funds to recognize the event. The New York Times reported that while staff may highlight their health-related work, they were told to avoid publicly promoting World AIDS Day in official messaging.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told the paper that “an awareness day is not a strategy,” arguing the administration is pursuing direct government-to-government partnerships under President Donald Trump. Still, the White House has continued to issue proclamations for other awareness days tied to conditions like autism and cancer.
World AIDS Day is observed globally every December 1 to honor those who have died from AIDS and to support ongoing prevention and treatment efforts. The policy shift comes after the administration froze foreign aid earlier this year and later cut $7.9 billion from humanitarian programs. Funding for HIV and AIDS programs, however, remained intact.
According to the World Health Organization, roughly 40.8 million people were living with HIV worldwide in 2024, with 1.3 million new infections. UNAIDS warned this week that declining international funding is undermining progress, noting disruptions to prevention and treatment services.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said the global response is at risk, adding, “We cannot abandon them.”
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