World AIDS Day 2018 in Photos

India World AIDS Day

A volunteer hangs red ribbons, the universal symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV, to mark World AIDS Day in Dharmsala, India, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Volunteers collected blood samples from local Tibetans to be tested free of cost for HIV. (AP Photo)

Bay of Bengal

Indian sand artist Manas Sahoo creating a red ribbon at the Bay of Bengal Sea's eastern coast Puri beach, 65 km away from the eastern Indian state Odisha's capital city Bhubaneswar. (STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Indian state Odisha's capital city Bhubaneswar

Social activists holds awareness placards and AIDS red ribbon logo as they walk in a carnival on WOrld AIDs Day in the eastern Indian state Odisha's capital city Bhubaneswar. (STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

World AIDS Day in Dharmsala, India

A Tibetan volunteer pins a red ribbon on to the robe of a young exile Tibetan Buddhist monk on World AIDS Day in Dharmsala, India, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Volunteers also collected blood samples from the local Tibetans to be tested free of cost for HIV. (AP Photo)

World AIDS Day in Dharmsala, India

An exile Tibetan Buddhist nun gives her blood to be tested for HIV free of cost on World AIDS Day in Dharmsala, India, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo)

This December 1, 2018, is the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

Above, Copenhagen, Denmark: Two thousand candles were lit in memory of those lost AIDS on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2017, at Gammeltorv Square in Copenhagen.

World AIDS Day takes place on December 1 each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

China World AIDS Day preparations

Chinese singer Wu Mochou, in red, poses for photos with young performers at an event to raise awareness ahead of World AIDS Day in Beijing, China, Tuesday, November 14, 2017. The event was hosted by Danlan Public Welfare ahead of the 30th World AIDS Day to promote the use of mobile technology to prevent the spread of HIV in the LGBT community.

India World AIDS Day

Sex workers cover their faces from cameras as they watch an AIDS awareness event in a red light area on the eve of World AIDS Day in Mumbai, India, Thursday, November 30, 2017 . 

Grandchildren of Elizabeth Taylor at 'The View' in NYC on World AIDS Day

The grandchildren of Elizabeth Taylor representing the Elizabeth Taylor Foundation spotted leaving The View, where they presented Whoopi Goldberg with the Elizabeth Taylor Legacy Award on World AIDS Day in New York, N.Y., on December 1, 2016.

India World AIDS Day

Artists get ready backstage before performing at an AIDS awareness event in a red light area on the eve of World AIDS Day in Mumbai, India, Thursday, November 30, 2017.

Cologne, Germany

A man passes a giant condom that promotes safer sex on a pedestrian street in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, the day before World AIDS Day.  The World AIDS Day is held every first of December since 1988.

Seoul, South Korea

South Korean students make a formation in the shape of the red ribbon as they release balloons during an event held Tuesday to mark the upcoming World AIDS Day.

Kiev, Ukraine

A man takes free condoms in central Kiev, Ukraine, December 1. Volunteers with nongovernmental organizations distributed condoms to mark World AIDS Day.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepalese women and children from Maiti Nepal, a rehabilitation center for survivors of sex trafficking, light candles on the eve of World AIDS Day Wednesday in Kathmandu.  

Karachi, Pakistan

Pakistani transgender women light candles during a demonstration called by civil society groups to mark World AIDS Day in Karachi.

Quezon City, Philippines

An HIV-positive Filipino lights candles around an AIDS symbol as he participates in an event in observance of World AIDS Day in Quezon City, Philippines, December 1. Activists are calling for increased awareness of the rising number of HIV infections and AIDS cases and urged the government and other sectors to help fight the stigma associated withthe disease.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan man reads banners with educational material on HIV during an event organized to mark the World AIDS Day in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Beijing, China

Performers take to the stage at the nongovernmental organization Impulse Me's charity event held Saturday to raise awareness ahead of World AIDS day in Beijing. China provides AIDS patients with free medication and in recent years has focused its policy on prevention, especially among the younger population.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan health workers take part in an HIV awareness walk to mark the World AIDS Day Thursday in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Hyderabad, India

Indian health workers, volunteers, and students on a health awareness procession to mark the World AIDS Day Thursday in Hyderabad, India. 

Kiev, Ukraine

Activists hold a huge red ribbon in front of the monument to Taras Shevchenko, a famous Ukrainian poet, to mark World AIDS Day and honor the memory of those who have died of AIDS in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday.

Athens, Greece

A projection of a red ribbon is displayed at the House of Parliament in Athens to observe World AIDS Day Thursday. Greece has recorded a 40 percent drop in new HIV infections this year, according to health officials. 

Los Angeles

Common performs during AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Keep the Promise concert at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood Wednesday. The concert, which took place on the eve of World AIDS Day followed a march of more than a thousand down Hollywood Boulevard in an effort to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and to persuade key decision-makers in the U.S. and around the globe to "keep the promise" and commit more funds to HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment.