Despite declining numbers of new infections are encouraging, the total number of people living with  the HIV virus continues to rise in the world and it is estimated that almost 33.4 million people are living with this virus. Around 6,800 people are infected every day, of which almost half are young people between 15 and 24. For that reason, in the occasion of the World AIDS Day, the European Commission has insisted in the importance of acting in prevention and early detection of this disease.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, nearly 60 million people have been infected with HIV and more than 25 million have died from causes related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Today, there are more that 33 million people infected with HIV in the world, most of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. This area remains the worst affected region, accounting for 71% of all new HIV infections in 2008.

With these figures in mind, the European Union's role as the main donor who has collectively provided the majority of international funding for programs to fight against HIV/AIDS, is increasingly important. On the occasion of the celebration of World AIDS Day, the European Commission has reiterated the pivotal role that early detection plays in combating this epidemic, as is estimated that over a third of people infected with HIV only in Europe, are not aware of it. European Commissioner for Health, John Dalli, highlighted this fact at the inauguration of a seminar on HIV testing.

The European Council has also reaffirmed EU's commitment to accelerate progress in order to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support as an essential step in achieving MDG 6 and supports the efforts towards virtually eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015. Council has also announced the EU will initiate a broad and consultative process with Member States and other stakeholders for the preparation of a geographically comprehensive European Programme for Action to Confront HIV/AIDS.

The European Union increases its contribution for worldwide fight against AIDS

Despite these figures, and in order to fight against AIDS globaly, the European Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, has recently announced an increase of 10% of EU contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The EU has already contributed to the Fund 52% of its resources, being not only a founding member but also its main contributor. This increase in the contribution of the European Union to the Global Fund to fight AIDS will represent an additional contribution to the more than 10 billion dollars provided between 2002 and 2010.

In June this year, the GFATM reported that 2.8 million people with HIV have received life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment thanks to their actions. In addition, through its contribution the Commission gave access for 7.7 million people to insecticide-treated mosquito nets and provided antiretroviral combination therapy to 750,000 people with advanced HIV infection. Furthering these efforts the European Union renewed its commitment in October 2009 by adopting a joint strategy to fight AIDS for the period 2009-2013.

But the fight against AIDS is a global problem which affects all areas of the world. It is estimated that in Eastern Europe prevalence of HIV infections continues to rise, predominantly among injecting drug users and their partners. Unsafe sexual practices account for around 35% of new infections in the European Union. More than 5,2 million people in low an middle income countries receive life saving antiretroviral treatment, but another 10 million people, including hundreds of thousands in the European neighbourhood still do not have access to ARVs.