The report found there had been a 30 percent drop in the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses since 2010, particularly in the African continent, thanks to taken medical measures.

The report shows that key populations and their sexual partners now account for more than half (54%) of new HIV infections globally.

In 2018, key populations—including people who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, and prisoners—accounted for around 95% of new HIV infections in eastern Europe and central Asia and in the Middle East and North Africa.

Globally, around 1.7 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2018, a 16% decline since 2010, driven mostly by steady progress across most of eastern and southern Africa.

South Africa, for example, has made huge advances and has successfully reduced new HIV infections by more than 40% and AIDS-related deaths by around 40% since 2010.

"Political leadership is urgently needed to put AIDS back on the agenda, it is the only way-ending AIDS can become a reality," said Gunilla Carlsson, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

"More needs to be done to expand access to treatment for children," the report said. The estimated 940 000 children (aged 0–14 years) living with HIV globally on antiretroviral therapy in 2018 is almost double the number on treatment in 2010. However, it is far short of the 2018 target of 1.6 million.

An estimated for 2018, the report said 37.9 million people globally were living with HIV. 23.3 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy. 1.7 million people became newly infected with HIV. 770 000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

Uncontrolled and illegitimate relationships, such as adultery and deviant homosexuality, are seen as causes of AIDS transmission.

Experts say the way to protect against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases is to avoid extramarital affair and living as monogamy. (ILKHA)