By Bunmi Yekini
Cambodia has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve the United Nations’ 95-95-95 HIV targets, a milestone health experts say underscores the effectiveness of sustained political commitment, community-based care and expanded access to treatment in the fight against AIDS.
The achievement means that 95% of people living with HIV in Cambodia know their HIV status, 95% of those diagnosed are receiving antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, reducing the virus in their blood to undetectable levels and dramatically lowering the risk of transmission.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) described the accomplishment as a “historic achievement” and a major step toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Cambodia has long been regarded as a leader in HIV control. In 2017, it became one of only seven countries worldwide to achieve the earlier 90-90-90 targets, reaching that benchmark three years ahead of schedule.
“Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS regional director for Asia and the Pacific, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said Cambodia’s success demonstrated what can be achieved when health programmes place people at the centre of implementation.
“Cambodia’s success is built on strong political commitment, national leadership, long-term partnership and the trust built through years of work with communities and the UN system,” Murphy said.
Public health experts view the 95-95-95 targets as a critical scientific benchmark because viral suppression not only improves health outcomes for people living with HIV but also effectively prevents sexual transmission of the virus, a concept known as “Undetectable Equals Untransmittable” (U=U).
Cambodia’s HIV strategy combines widespread testing, early treatment initiation and long-term patient support. The country has expanded access to HIV services through community clinics, integrated HIV care into the broader health system, introduced multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral medicines and expanded access to prevention tools such as HIV self-testing and long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Health authorities also provide social protection programmes and subsidised healthcare services for people living with HIV and populations at greater risk of infection.
Despite the milestone, officials cautioned that challenges remain. A joint statement by UNAIDS, Cambodia’s National AIDS Authority and the Ministry of Health estimated that about 958 new HIV infections will occur in 2025, with approximately 84% occurring among key populations and their partners.
Cambodia has set a new national goal of reducing annual HIV infections to fewer than 250 cases by 2030.
Senior Minister Ieng Mouly, who chairs the National AIDS Authority, said the achievement was a source of national pride but also a reminder of the work ahead.
“Our task now is to ensure that progress is protected and sustained by increasing national ownership through the investment of more domestic resources for the national HIV response,” he said.
Health Minister Chheang Ra said continued innovation would be needed to ensure HIV services remain accessible and free from discrimination.
Researchers note that while Cambodia has made remarkable progress, stigma, discrimination and limited awareness of HIV prevention methods continue to hinder efforts to eliminate new infections, particularly among young people.
Earlier this month, Murphy met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and encouraged the country to share lessons from its HIV response with other nations. Manet reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a people-centred health strategy and called for continued collaboration with UNAIDS as Cambodia works toward ending AIDS by the end of the decade.
The achievement places Cambodia among a small group of countries worldwide approaching epidemic control, demonstrating how scientific advances in treatment, combined with strong public health systems and community engagement, can significantly reduce the burden of HIV.