What is World AIDS Day?
Each year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Each World AIDS Day focuses on a specific theme, which this year will be End inequalities. End AIDS. End pandemics. This year’s theme joins a growing list of challenges that World AIDS Day has alerted people to globally. 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.
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
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