KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 1 The world, including Nepal, is observing World AIDS Day today under the theme 'Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,' a call for stronger political leadership, international cooperation and human-rights-based approaches to eliminate AIDS by 2030. The Ministry of Health and Population and the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC) are coordinating awareness events and outreach programmes across the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global HIV response stands at a critical juncture as life-saving services continue to face disruptions, putting vulnerable communities at greater risk. Despite challenges, the WHO noted that the determination and resilience of affected communities remain central to progress. According to WHO estimates for 2024, around 40.8 million people were living with HIV worldwide, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes, and 1.3 million new infections occurred globally.