Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency due to a rapid rise in infections, which officials say is partly linked to increasing methamphetamine use. The country’s health and medical services minister, Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, announced the declaration through a social media statement, stating that a standard outbreak response is no longer enough to tackle what he called an "epidemic." According to government estimates, one in every 60 adults in Fiji is now living with HIV, a significant increase from one in 167 just five years ago. In 2025, the country recorded 2,060 new HIV diagnoses, with one in 50 pregnant women testing positive for the virus. The emergency declaration followed a decision by the cabinet on 9 September and requires a coordinated national effort to address the crisis. Fiji, a nation with a population of less than one million, is experiencing one of the most dramatic increases in new HIV infections worldwide, according to the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Between 2010 and 2025, new infections rose 12 times, making Fiji a focal point for global health concerns. Contributing factors include its role as a regional hub for drug trafficking, the growing use of methamphetamine, unsafe injecting practices, and limited access to clean needles. Additionally, low levels of health awareness, cultural stigma surrounding HIV, and insufficient testing and treatment options have worsened the situation. Of the known HIV transmission cases in Fiji, more than half were linked to sexual transmission, and over 42% were connected to injecting drug use, according to UNAIDS. As of 2025, an estimated 9,100 people are living with HIV in the country, but only 39% are aware of their status, and just 22% are receiving antiretroviral treatment, which helps manage the virus and prevent its spread. UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima called the situation in Fiji a "stark reminder to the world that AIDS is not over," emphasizing the urgent need for strong health and community systems to respond effectively. She welcomed the government’s plans to introduce a needle and syringe program, which would allow people to access clean needles to reduce the risk of infection. Legislative changes to support this initiative are expected to be debated in parliament, along with efforts to expand prevention programs, increase testing availability, and improve access to treatment.