The United Nations marked World AIDS Day on Monday by highlighting long-term progress on HIV alongside persistent gaps in prevention and care, the UN spokesperson said.

Spokesperson Stefan noted that in his World AIDS Day message the secretary-general recorded a roughly 40% drop in new infections since 2010 and "significant improvements in treatment access," but warned that "millions still lack prevention and care due to inequality and stigma." The secretary-general called for greater investment in prevention, expanded treatment for all and a human-rights-based approach, Stefan said.

Stefan said that Francis R. Nunez, director of the UN AIDS office in New York, would brief reporters later in the day on the launch of a World AIDS Day report titled "Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response." The briefing also introduced guest Cesar Nunez, who was scheduled to speak on World AIDS Day topics.

The spokesperson did not announce new funding commitments at the briefing; details and the full report were to be provided at the subsequent briefing by UN AIDS officials.