Tuesday, November 11, 2025

“Together. Especially now”: BIÖG, German AIDS Foundation and Deutsche Aidshilfe launch campaign for World AIDS Day

“Together. Especially now” – this is the motto of the national campaign launched for World AIDS Day on December 1, 2025. The Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG), the German AIDS Foundation (DAS), and Deutsche Aidshilfe (DAH) are calling for greater solidarity, engagement, and global responsibility in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Nearly 41 million people worldwide are living with HIV, and many rely on life-saving therapies. But this access is increasingly at risk: the U.S. has drastically reduced its financial commitment – with potentially devastating consequences. According to UNAIDS, these cuts could lead to 4 million deaths from AIDS and 7 million new HIV infections by 2029.

HIV remains an issue in Germany, too. An estimated 97,000 people are living with HIV. They have a right to medical care and a life free of discrimination. But this right is under threat globally – due to growing social division, political polarization, and a lack of political will.

The new campaign highlights these challenges. Five powerful posters tell the stories of people whose lives are endangered by a lack of medication, stigma, and fear. Voices from Kenya, Cambodia, Uganda and Germany give the global crisis a human face.

“This World AIDS Day is different,” says Stefan Miller of Deutsche Aidshilfe. “We must prevent the return of AIDS – with solidarity, not with indifference.”

Solidarity instead of stigma remains the central message of World AIDS Day. HIV is now treatable – but discrimination is still unacceptable. People with HIV still face prejudice and exclusion, even in Germany. According to the “positive stimmen 2.0” study, 95 percent of respondents reported at least one discriminatory experience within a year.

World AIDS Day has been observed annually on December 1 since 1988, honoring those who died from AIDS and showing support for those living with HIV – especially now, as progress is at risk. Because: viruses know no borders – and neither should solidarity.