More than 20 years ago, the U.S. became the leader in the worldwide fight against HIV/AIDS. The Bush administration initiative Pepfar was the largest health commitment made by a nation to combat a single disease.

UNAIDS' executive director warned that millions of people could die and more resistant strains of the disease could emerge.

The head of the U.N. AIDS agency says the number of new HIV infections could jump more than six times by 2029 if U.S. withdraws support for AIDS program.

In an interview with the AP, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima called on the Trump Administration not to cut off funding.