UN Secretary-General Csaba Korosi on Wednesday called on the world to act, saying the goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030 was “seriously compromised.”

In a terse message on World AIDS Day, which falls on 1 December each year, Mr. Korosi said the goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030 was on the wrong track.

“Inequality, discrimination and disregard for human rights are holding back our progress,” he said.

“We must address the problems that have allowed HIV/AIDS to remain a global health crisis for over 40 years,” he said.

If the international community acts now, 3.6 million new HIV infections and 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths could be averted this decade, he said.

The General Assembly’s Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS 2021 includes global commitments and targets to 2025 that are ambitious but achievable for governments and communities, Korosi said, calling on all Member States and stakeholders to renew their political and financial commitments to eradicate the disease.