World AIDS Day

Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever international day for global health. Every year, United Nations agencies, governments and civil society join together to campaign around specific themes related to HIV.

Awareness-raising activities take place around the globe.

Many people wear a red ribbon, the universal symbol of awareness of, support for and solidarity with people living with HIV.

People living with HIV make their voice heard on issues important in their lives.

Groups of people living with HIV and other civil society organizations involved in the AIDS response mobilize in support of the communities they serve and to raise funds.

Events highlight the current state of the epidemic.

World AIDS Day remains as relevant today as it’s always been, reminding people and governments that HIV has not gone away. There is still a critical need for increased funding for the AIDS response, to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives, to end stigma and discrimination and to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.

Themes

• 2022    End inequalities. End AIDS. End pandemics.
• 2021    End inequalities. End AIDS. End pandemics.
• 2020    Global solidarity, shared responsibility
• 2019    Communities make the difference
• 2018    Know your status
• 2017    My health, my right
• 2016    Hands up for HIV prevention
• 2015    On the Fast-Track to end AIDS
• 2014    Close the gap
• 2013    Zero discrimination
• 2012    Together we will end AIDS
• 2011    Getting to zero
• 2010    Universal access and human rights
• 2009    Universal access and human rights
• 2008    Stop AIDS. Keep the promise—lead, empower, deliver
• 2007    Stop AIDS. Keep the promise—leadership
• 2006    Stop AIDS. Keep the promise—accountability
• 2005    Stop AIDS. Keep the promise
• 2004    Women, girls, HIV and AIDS
• 2003    Stigma and discrimination
• 2002    Stigma and discrimination
• 2001    I care, do you?
• 2000    AIDS: men make a difference
• 1999    Listen, learn, live! World AIDS campaign with children and young people
• 1998    Force for change—world AIDS campaign with young people
• 1997    Children living in a world of AIDS
• 1996    One world, one hope
• 1995    Shared rights, shared responsibilities
• 1994    AIDS and the family
• 1993    Time to act
• 1992    AIDS—a community commitment
• 1991    Sharing the challenge
• 1990    Women and AIDS
• 1989    Our lives, our world—let’s take care of each other
• 1988    A world united against AIDS