Cambodia's HIV Response Remains a Regional Model as UNAIDS Urges Continued Focus on Youth

PHNOM PENH — Sept. 15, 2026: Cambodia continues to stand out as one of Asia's strongest performers in the fight against HIV, even as UNAIDS Cambodia reminds the public that the work is not finished.

In a social media post, the agency noted that an average of eight young people aged 15 to 24 are newly infected with HIV each week in Cambodia. It described the figure as a reminder that progress must go hand in hand with ensuring young people can access the information, prevention tools and services they need.

UNAIDS also highlighted the importance of safe, inclusive and youth-friendly spaces, saying they help every young person make informed choices about their health.

Overall, new HIV infections in Cambodia are declining — a trend that reflects decades of sustained national effort. On average, three people are still newly infected each day, a figure the agency said shows the epidemic is not over, while also underscoring how far the country has come.

Cambodia has long been recognised as a model in the regional and global HIV response. It was among the first countries in Asia to reverse a rapidly growing epidemic in the 1990s, and it became an early achiever of the global 90-90-90 targets. Its community-led approach, strong government ownership and close partnership with international organisations are frequently cited as examples for other low- and middle-income countries.

UNAIDS has previously praised Cambodia's progress as evidence that ending AIDS is possible when political will, community leadership and international support come together.

Building on that record, the agency called for expanded access to prevention, testing and treatment, along with continued efforts to reduce stigma — steps it said can help make every new infection preventable.

Source: UNAIDS Cambodia (Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/UNAIDSCambodia

UNAIDS

https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories

Reported by The Khmer Today