The launch of the “be hope – end aids” campaign

The launch of the “be hope – end aids” campaign | Visual by Yinka Ilori

The “Be Hope – End AIDS” campaign, launched by GlobalGoals.org in partnership with the Global Fund and civil society organisations, marks a renewed effort to position the end of AIDS at the centre of the global political agenda.

Under the headline “Imagine the headlines: An end to AIDS”, the initiative underscores that ending the epidemic is not an abstract aspiration but an achievable reality, provided international investment in global health is upheld and strengthened. The message builds on a striking fact: the Global Fund has already helped save around 70 million lives. With renewed resources, it could save a further 23 million lives and prevent up to 400 million new infections, bringing the world closer to the global objective of ending the AIDS epidemic.

The campaign is anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly target 3.3, which calls for an end to the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2030. The narrative stresses that this ambition is within reach only through sustained collective action. The Global Fund remains the world’s largest multilateral financier of the AIDS response, providing more than a quarter of international funding dedicated to HIV. Its role is central in maintaining momentum and preventing a reversal of hard-won gains.

The campaign’s visual language: Yinka Ilori’s artwork and its symbolism

The visual core of the campaign is the work of British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, known for his vibrant palettes, bold geometric patterns and the fusion of African and contemporary design traditions. His artwork for “Be Hope – End AIDS” carries a powerful message: the fight against AIDS continues, and everyone has a role to play. Ilori explains that while many individuals have faced deeply personal struggles with the virus, the responsibility is ultimately shared by all. The artwork’s central motif, a padlock, symbolises the collective determination to “lock away” AIDS permanently. By discarding the key, Ilori conveys resilience and the unwavering commitment required to end the epidemic.

Through intense colour combinations and a sense of visual rhythm, the image functions as a public manifesto. It transforms a public health message into a piece of graphic advocacy, echoing decades of activism represented by the red ribbon while placing renewed emphasis on unity and perseverance.

A campaign that ties together art, media and political momentum

“Be Hope – End AIDS” is conceived as a global communication effort that extends beyond the artwork. A special edition of “The Hope Report” highlights how investments in prevention, diagnosis and treatment have transformed HIV from a near-certain fatal condition into a manageable chronic illness for millions. In parallel, a coordinated “Be Hope Podcast Takeover” brings together widely followed programmes such as The Rest Is Politics, Pod Save the World and Political Currency. Their episodes showcase progress, personal stories and expert insights, aiming to revive a sense of possibility ahead of discussions at the United Nations General Assembly.

The campaign’s central message is that hope is not passive; it requires commitment and action. In this sense, replenishing resources for the Global Fund becomes a concrete demonstration of the global community’s willingness to follow through on the promise to end AIDS.

The current global picture of HIV and AIDS

Recent data reveal both significant progress and persistent challenges. UNAIDS estimates that in 2024 approximately 40.8 million people were living with HIV worldwide, of whom around 31.6 million had access to antiretroviral therapy. That same year, about 1.3 million new infections occurred and roughly 630,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses.

Although new infections have fallen by nearly 60% since the epidemic’s peak and AIDS-related deaths have declined by about 70% since 2004, the rate of progress remains insufficient to meet the 2030 global targets.

The current strategy guiding the global response is the 95-95-95 framework: 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those diagnosed receiving treatment and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression. Several countries with high burdens of disease, including Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, have already met or surpassed these goals, proving that ending AIDS is technically achievable when political commitment, community-led approaches and sustainable funding intersect.

Scientific innovation and the future of treatment and prevention

Innovation continues to reshape the HIV response. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy shifted HIV from a fatal disease to a chronic manageable condition, and today long-acting injectables are redefining what treatment and prevention can look like. Instead of daily medication, injections administered every one or two months improve adherence and reduce stigma. New preventive options, such as biannual injectable medicines, offer additional tools capable of dramatically lowering infection rates if made widely accessible.

These scientific advances show that medical solutions often outpace political action. The potential to prevent most new infections already exists; what remains is to ensure equitable access and sustained investment.

The risk of losing ground: global funding pressures

Despite medical progress, the global HIV response faces financial strain. In recent years, significant cuts to international health assistance have threatened programmes central to prevention, treatment and community support. UNAIDS has warned that abrupt funding reductions could lead to millions of preventable infections and deaths by 2029, as clinics close, treatment supply chains weaken and prevention services diminish in the communities most affected.

It is in this context that “Be Hope – End AIDS” issues its strongest call: without renewed investment, past achievements could erode rapidly. Sustaining the Global Fund and national HIV programmes is essential to avoid a resurgence of the epidemic.

Hope as a collective decision

The campaign launched by GlobalGoals.org blends art, media influence and clear evidence to reinforce one idea: ending AIDS is not a matter of chance but of choice. Ilori’s artwork, with its symbolic padlock and expressive colours, reframes the long struggle against HIV through a lens of resilience and shared responsibility.

The world stands closer than ever to controlling the epidemic, yet the risk of backsliding is real if collective resolve weakens.

“Be Hope – End AIDS” ultimately invites societies to treat hope as policy: to invest in the Global Fund, protect funding for HIV responses, secure universal access to treatment and prevention, and heed the voices of the communities that have led this fight from the beginning. Only then might the imagined headlines become reality: a world where AIDS is no longer a threat to global public health.