Also, progress is lagging on targets such as reducing sexual transmission by 50 percent and halving HIV transmission among people who inject drugs. Stigma, discrimination and criminalization of people who are the most vulnerable to HIV are also getting worse in parts of the world, he added.

In his remarks, General Assembly President John Ashe told the 193-member body that Ban's report sends a clear message that the global solidarity and joint efforts of the international community are yielding significant gains against the epidemic, and bringing about an historic opportunity to lay the foundation for ending AIDS.

"However, AIDS will remain a global challenge beyond 2015, and sustained commitment and efforts will be required if we are indeed to defeat this scourge," he said.

He noted in particular that the number of new HIV infections is still unacceptably high, at 2.3 million in 2012. Also, more than half of people in need of anti-retroviral treatment do not have access to it -- with a glaring gap in access to paediatric treatment.

"Having put forward so much investment and effort by all stakeholders -- and with so many lives still on the line -- it is a moral imperative to seize the opportunity of getting the job done," he said.