Cambodia has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve the United Nations' 95-95-95 HIV targets, a significant milestone in the global fight against AIDS. The announcement was made by the Cambodian Ministry of Health on June 22, 2026, following validation by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization.
What the 95-95-95 Targets Mean
The 95-95-95 targets, set by UNAIDS, aim to ensure that by 2025, 95% of all people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those on therapy achieve viral suppression. Cambodia's achievement means it has met or exceeded all three benchmarks.
According to the Ministry of Health, an estimated 76,000 people are living with HIV in Cambodia. Of these, 96% know their status, 99% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 98% of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads. This places Cambodia among a select group of nations globally to reach the targets.
"This is a historic achievement for Cambodia and a testament to the dedication of our health workers and the resilience of our communities," said Dr. Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health. "We have shown that with political will and community engagement, ending AIDS is possible."
Progress from 90-90-90 to 95-95-95
Cambodia was one of only seven countries worldwide to achieve the earlier 90-90-90 targets in 2017. That milestone set the stage for the current success. The 90-90-90 targets, established for 2020, aimed for 90% awareness, 90% treatment coverage, and 90% viral suppression among those treated.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima congratulated Cambodia, stating, "Cambodia's progress shows that the 95-95-95 targets are not just aspirational but achievable, even in resource-limited settings. This is a model for other countries in the region and beyond."
Key Factors Behind Success
Health officials attribute the achievement to sustained government investment, strong partnerships with civil society, and innovative community-based service delivery. Cambodia's HIV program has been characterized by decentralized care, peer support networks, and integration with primary health services.
Dr. Ly Penh Sun, director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STDs, highlighted the role of community health workers. "They are the backbone of our response, reaching the most vulnerable populations with testing, treatment, and support," he said.
Impact on Public Health
Achieving viral suppression in 98% of treated individuals dramatically reduces HIV transmission risk. Studies show that people with undetectable viral loads cannot transmit the virus sexually. This contributes to declining new infections and AIDS-related deaths in Cambodia.
New HIV infections in Cambodia have dropped by over 90% since the peak of the epidemic in the mid-1990s, from an estimated 15,000 per year to fewer than 1,000 annually. AIDS-related deaths have fallen by more than 80% over the same period, from around 10,000 to under 2,000 per year.
Challenges Remain
Despite the progress, challenges persist. Key populations, including men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs, still face stigma and barriers to access. The Ministry of Health has committed to intensifying outreach and ensuring no one is left behind.
"We must continue to invest in prevention and address discrimination to sustain these gains and reach the goal of ending AIDS by 2030," said Dr. Bunheng.
Cambodia's achievement serves as a beacon of hope and a practical roadmap for other nations striving to meet the 95-95-95 targets. The country now aims to maintain its progress and work toward the next set of UNAIDS goals for 2030.
