UNAIDS Commends Cambodia’s Remarkable Progress and Outstanding Achievements in the Response to HIV and AIDS

UNAIDS Commends Cambodia’s Remarkable Progress and Outstanding Achievements in the Response to HIV and AIDS

On the morning of 13 May 2025, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received a courtesy call from Her Excellency Winnie Byanyima, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNAIDS, at the Peace Palace.

During the meeting, Her Excellency Byanyima expressed her deep appreciation for Cambodia’s remarkable progress across all areas. In particular, she commended the efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia in responding to HIV and AIDS, noting that the country has achieved two of the three global 95-95-95 targets, with current results standing at 92-100-98. These targets, set by the United Nations, aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those who know their status to receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression. She also praised Cambodia for consistently reducing the rate of new HIV infections. Her Excellency Byanyima highlighted that Cambodia’s successful response has not only curbed new HIV infections but has also significantly contributed to regional and global efforts to combat HIV and other infectious diseases. In addition, the Under-Secretary-General highly valued Cambodia’s ambitious strategic plan to combat HIV and AIDS. She reaffirmed UNAIDS’s continued support for the implementation of the plan and the United Nations’ ongoing partnership to help Cambodia achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In response, Samdech Borvor Thipadei thanked the United Nations for its support of Cambodia’s socio-economic development and highly appreciated UNAIDS’s active role in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Cambodia. Samdech Borvor Thipadei emphasised the Royal Government of Cambodia’s prioritization of the HIV and AIDS agenda through various policies and strategic plans, including the recent launch of the National Policy for Ending AIDS and the Sustainability of HIV Program for 2023-2028. He noted that since 1996, Cambodia has made significant progress in reducing HIV infection rates.

Samdech Borvor Thipadei went on to emphasise the Government’s priority to strengthen the health sector, particularly the well-being of the citizens. He added that the government has enhanced public health services, strengthened the capacity of health personnel, and developed infrastructure—particularly by improving health centers—to expand health services and bring them closer to the people. Samdech Borvor Thipadei underscored that, “When we talk about building human capital, we must pay attention to the health of the people.”

Samdech Borvor Thipadei also highlighted the importance of further strengthening cooperation and partnership with UNAIDS to continue improving Cambodia’s health sector, particularly in bolstering the response to HIV and AIDS. He encouraged UNAIDS to deepen its engagement with the relevant ministries and institutions of the Royal Government of Cambodia to jointly achieve the three global targets set by the United Nations in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

SP-SPTM: Unofficial Translation