Deputy Secretary-General's remarks at World AIDS Day High-level event on Adolescent Girls and Young Women with the Global Fund and the Government of South Africa [as prepared for delivery].

I congratulate and thank the Deputy President for his excellent leadership as Chair of South Africa's National AIDS Council. With his commitment, AIDS, health and broader social development will remain high on South Africa's political agenda, setting an example to the region and the world.

Today, World AIDS Day, is an opportunity to reflect on the great progress that has been made, both here in South Africa and around the world but also to intensify our efforts towards ending this for good.

I commend South Africa for taking decisive steps to bring an end to the epidemic. First and foremost, this has been through systematically implementing the 90-90-90 strategy.

By 2020, 90 percent of people living with HIV should know their HIV status; 90 percent of those diagnosed with HIV infection should be receiving antiretroviral therapy; and 90 percent of those receiving antiretroviral therapy should have viral suppression.

These targets are ambitious. Once, they were unthinkable. Now, they are within reach.

In 2017, 9.4 million people were simply unaware that they are living with a potentially deadly, but treatable, disease and 19.4 million people living with HIV who do not have a suppressed viral load. Knowledge is power. Knowing your HIV status has many advantages. It is an essential entry point to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support services.

I commend South Africa for successfully launching its own National Screening and Testing campaign for HIV, TB and selected Non-Communicable Diseases.

Knowing your HIV status is essential to tackling this epidemic. The earlier you know, the longer you live. It really is that simple. This is something our UNAIDS programme is also supporting governments to achieve.

South Africa has succeeded in nearly halving new HIV infections between 2010 and 2016. Now the aim is to reduce them by a further two-thirds, from 270 000 to less than 90,000, by 2020.

The implementation of National Health Insurance to achieve universal coverage is another hugely ambitious step that will bring benefits far beyond the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Excellencies, Dear friends,

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