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Benidorm City Council Marks World AIDS Day with Public Awareness Initiative

Benidorm / 1 December 2025

 

The Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España today hosted the unveiling of a commemorative banner as Benidorm City Council joined the global commemoration of World AIDS Day. This year’s international theme, “Without public services, there will be no end to AIDS”, underscores the essential role of accessible health services in tackling the epidemic.

 

The event was attended by the First Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Health, Ana Pellicer, alongside members of the City Council and representatives from Amigos Benidorm, led by its president, Arnulfo González.

 

Addressing attendees, González highlighted the association’s 34 years of work providing support, advocacy, and prevention services for individuals living with HIV and their families. He noted a concerning rise in recent years in new HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases, attributing the trend to a relaxation in prevention measures. González stressed the importance of maintaining public awareness, reminding the public that while treatments have significantly improved quality of life, HIV/AIDS remains without a cure.

 

To mark World AIDS Day, the General Directorate of Public Health reported that in 2024, the Valencian Community recorded 440 new HIV cases (376 men and 64 women), equivalent to an incidence rate of 8.3 per 100,000 inhabitants. A further 156 imported cases were identified among individuals resident in Spain for less than three months. The region’s AIDS Information and Prevention Centres (CIPS) delivered 17,752 consultations and conducted 8,360 HIV tests during 2024, with 7,365 consultations and 3,461 tests carried out in the province of Alicante alone.

 

Speaking on behalf of the city, Ana Pellicer expressed her gratitude to Amigos Benidorm for their year-round commitment to supporting affected individuals and encouraged the association to continue its vital work.

 

World AIDS Day, observed on 1 December, commemorates the first globally diagnosed case of HIV in 1981. Today, it is estimated that more than 30 million people worldwide are living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral treatment.