PM Calls for Final Push to End AIDS by 2028 as Cambodia Reports Steady Progress but Rising Risks

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 28, 2025) — Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet on Monday urged ministries, local authorities, civil society and families to join a “final national effort” to eliminate AIDS in Cambodia by 2028, warning that progress could stall without stronger prevention, testing and treatment for the most at-risk groups.

In a message marking World AIDS Day, Manet praised Cambodia’s achievements over the past two decades, including a sharp decline in new HIV infections, strong retention of patients on antiretroviral therapy and continued progress toward the global 95-95-95 targets. He noted that Cambodia has maintained a national HIV prevalence of about 0.5 percent — among the lowest in the region.

The Ministry of Health estimates that about 4,000 people living with HIV remain undiagnosed nationwide. Officials have launched an intensified campaign to find them through targeted testing, community outreach and expanded screening in high-risk areas, stressing that identifying these individuals is critical to stopping new transmissions and ensuring timely care.

Samdech Thipadei highlighted rising infections among men who have sex with men, transgender women, entertainment workers and people who inject drugs. He called for greater use of condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), along with stronger youth-focused prevention programs and expanded community engagement.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Manet said Cambodia will continue strengthening health services, financing long-term HIV programs and combating stigma that prevents people from seeking treatment. “Ending AIDS by 2028 is possible,” he said, “but only if we intensify prevention and identify every person living with HIV.”