UNAIDS welcomes the Government of Fiji's decision to declare HIV a national crisis and the measures announced by the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, to accelerate the country's HIV response.
Fiji is facing one of the sharpest increases in new HIV infections globally. UNAIDS estimates that new infections rose 12-fold between 2010 and 2025. An estimated 9,100 people were living with HIV in 2025, only 39% knew their HIV status and just 22% were accessing antiretroviral treatment.
"Fiji has recognized the urgency of the moment and is stepping up its response," said the Executive Director of UNAIDS Winnie Byanyima. "It is also a stark reminder to the world that AIDS is not over. HIV epidemics can change quickly, and countries need health and community systems that are ready to respond urgently."
The decision brings the urgency needed to ramp up the response to a higher level across government and society. A Cabinet subcommittee has been established to address policy and implementation barriers and accelerate action.
Among cases with a known mode of transmission, over half were linked to sexual transmission and more than 42% to injecting drug use. UNAIDS welcomes plans to introduce a needle and syringe programme, with legislative amendments expected to go before Parliament.
The Government has also announced expanded HIV prevention, testing and treatment, including wider access to medicine to prevent HIV (PrEP), including long-acting prevention options such as twice-yearly injections, stronger community engagement and action against stigma and discrimination.
Communities are already an essential part of the HIV response in Fiji. Community organizations and peer outreach workers are connecting people to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care, countering misinformation and stigma, and reaching people who may not use formal health services.
Fiji's nationally led response is supported by regional and international partners. UNAIDS Joint Programme supports Fiji in providing policy advice and helps connect government, communities and partners, while other development partners contribute funding, commodities and technical expertise.
"The national crisis declaration is a call for action, not fear. HIV is not transmitted through everyday contact, and people on effective treatment with an undetectable viral load do not sexually transmit HIV," said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. "Fiji still has an opportunity to change the course of this epidemic. Stronger cooperation across the Pacific and sustained international solidarity can reinforce the national effort and help accelerate action."
Pacific countries are at different stages of their HIV epidemics, but the region is closely connected through travel, education, employment and family ties. Access to combination HIV prevention and treatment, strong surveillance, community-led responses and shared expertise can help countries recognise changes early and respond quickly.
UNAIDS will continue working with Fiji and countries across the Pacific, alongside communities and development partners, to strengthen national responses and regional cooperation.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations-UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank-and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org
