Cambodia has made a big history by becoming the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve the United Nations' "95-95-95" HIV treatment targets. This major milestone was announced recently by the Cambodian government and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). By reaching these goals, Cambodia has shown it is on the right track to stop AIDS from being a public health threat by the year 2030.
The "95-95-95" targets are a global standard for fighting HIV. They mean that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are receiving life-saving antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of people on treatment have achieved "viral suppression," meaning the virus is at very low levels in their body.
Cambodia is one of only seven nations in the entire world to hit these benchmarks. This achievement proves that target-driven health policies can yield massive successes even in developing nations.
Cambodian Government Efforts to Fight HIV
According to UNAIDS Regional Director Eamonn Murphy, Cambodia’s progress is built on strong political commitment and national leadership. The government has worked closely with communities and the United Nations for many years to build trust and effective programs.
One of the most important things the government did was expand access to HIV testing and treatment. They introduced innovative ways to help people, such as HIV self-testing and preventative therapies like long-acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). They also made it easier for patients to get their medicine by offering multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral drugs.
Furthermore, the Cambodian government has prioritized "people-centered" development. This includes providing social protection and free healthcare for people living with HIV and other key groups.
The government is also working to integrate community-led HIV networks into the country’s broader public health system to ensure that care is available for everyone in the long term.
The Road to 2030 and Future Challenges
While this achievement is a source of national pride, Cambodian leaders say the work is not finished. The country still faces major challenges like stigma and discrimination. These issues often prevent vulnerable people from seeking necessary help.
In 2025, there were still an estimated 958 new HIV infections and nearly 700 AIDS-related deaths in the country. Thus, to reach the final goal of ending AIDS by 2030, the government plans to focus on "country ownership".
This means increasing domestic investment so the national HIV response relies more on Cambodia’s own funding rather than just international aid. Securing local budgets is essential for keeping these health programs running permanently.
Health Minister Chheang Ra emphasized that the mission now is to reach the "final mile" and make sure no one is left behind. By continuing to innovate and providing services with dignity and without discrimination, Cambodia aims to reduce new infections to fewer than 250 cases per year by 2030.
Moreover, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet also highlighted the government’s ongoing work to upgrade healthcare services and facilities across the country, from major cities to local villages.
The Premier asked UNAIDS to maintain a strong partnership with Cambodia and promised that the government is fully ready to work with the UN and other international partners to achieve even better results.
