THE AIDS epidemic has defined the global health agenda for an entire generation. The first AIDS-related deaths were diagnosed 35 years ago and HIV rapidly became a global crisis. The epidemic threatened all countries and had the power to destabilise the most vulnerable. By 2000, AIDS had wiped out decades of development gains.

While, HIV prevalence in Asia and the Pacific region is much lower than in subSaharan Africa, it is home to the second largest population of people living with HIV in the world. For many years, Pakistan`s epidemic remained at low levels, but in the past few years, the country has become one of the few in the region to have an expanding epidemic. In 2014, there were 94,000 people living with HIV and 20,000 new infections, which is double the number in 2010. UNAIDS has identified Pakistan as one of 35 fast-track countries where intensified efforts are necessary.

Worldwide, there are now more than 17 million people living with HIV accessing antiretroviral medicines. In Asia and the Pacific region, 2.1 million people are accessing ARVs and treatment coverage more than doubled over the past five years to 41pc in 2015. However, in Pakistan, only 5pc of people living with HIV were accessing treatment in 2014.

World leaders are grappling with a growing number of global concerns and threats, including massive displacement, climate change and an uncertain economic outlool< however, it would be a misstep to let up on theresponsetoHIV,particularlyinPakistan.

Here are three reasons why AIDS deserves continued attention: • To restore dignity, health and hope to the people left behind in the AIDS response.

• To build robust and resilient societies ready to face future health crises.

• To serve as a beacon for what can be achieved through international solidarity and political will.

Our generation has been presented with an opportunity that must not be thrown away. We have the technology, medicines and tools to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, avoiding more than 17m new HIV infections and saving almost 11m lives.

But it won`t happen without sustained commitment, vision and leadership. There are major gaps in the AIDS response and many barriers still stop people accessing quality healthcare services.

Around half of the 37m people living with HIV do not know they have the virus. In Pakistan, only 9pc of people who inject drugs and 6pc of female sex workers have had an HIV test in the past 12 months.

Stigma and discrimination too often stoppeople from accessing healthcare, including HIV prevention and treatment services that reduce new infections and save lives. In Pakistan, the People Living with HIV Stigma index, conducted in 2010,revealed highlevels of stigma, and exclusion from families and religious activities and discrimination in employment. One-third of respondents reported being denied access to healthcare and one-fif th avoided going to the local clinic when needed in the previous 12 months.

This week, Pakistan has joined world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, which is bringing people together around a common objective: ending AIDS by 2030 within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This global platform for innovators, implementers, investors, activists and leaders will challenge all of us to chart a course to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. It will take ourcombined efforts to source sustainable solutions to close the gaps and reach a set of new global targets.

These targets are urgently needed. A key element will be creating the conditions necessary to achieve theUNAIDS 90-90-90 treatm nt target b 2020. This calls for 90pc of people living with HIV to know their status, 90pc of people who know their HIV positive status to access antiretroviral treatment and 90pc of people on treatment to have suppressed viral loads.

Meeting this treatment target will set the world on course to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. But bold leadership and stronger investment are required. By 2020, combined domestic and international resources will need to increase by about one-third to peak at an estimated $26.2 billion to reach this target and realise the vision of ending AIDS.

A lack of investment now will result in the epidemic being prolonged indefinitely and that would be a false economy.

Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is a central part of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the development agenda that world leaders signed up to last September. In New York this week, global leaders must underpin this generation`s commitment to ending AIDS and deliver on their pledge to ensure healthy lives for all. AIDS is not over yet but it can be. • The writer is executive director, UNA IDS