( CNN ) -- As the global community commemorates World AIDS Day on Wednesday , international health organizations report both promising and sobering trends . While the United Nations says new HIV infections have declined by almost 20 percent worldwide over the past decade , the estimated number of children living with HIV or AIDS in 11 Asian countries has increased by 46 percent between 2001 and 2009 , the World Health Organization 's South-East Asia office said Wednesday . `` In 2001 , an estimated 89,000 children were living with HIV/AIDS , '' said Vismita Gupta-Smith , public information and advocacy officer for WHO 's regional office in New Delhi , India . `` In 2009 , there are an estimated 130,000 children living with HIV infection , '' including recent HIV infection , advanced HIV infection and AIDS . The 11 countries in the region are Bangladesh , Bhutan , North Korea , India , Indonesia , Maldives , Myanmar , Nepal , Sri Lanka , Thailand and Timor-Liste . But a report by a United Nations program released last month shows some encouraging news , including drops in AIDS-related deaths and new HIV cases . Data from the 2010 global report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) shows that an estimated 2.6 million people became newly infected with HIV , compared with the estimated 3.1 million people infected in 1999 . Also in 2009 , approximately 1.8 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses , compared with the roughly 2.1 million in 2004 , according to UNAIDS . Among young people in 15 of the most severely affected countries , the rate of new HIV infections has fallen by more than 25 percent , led by young people adopting safer sexual practices , according to UNAIDS . `` We are breaking the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic with bold actions and smart choices , '' said Michel Sidibe , executive director of UNAIDS . `` Investments in the AIDS response are paying off , but gains are fragile -- the challenge now is how we can all work to accelerate progress . '' But not all the news from the UNAIDS report , which covered 182 countries , was good . `` Even though the number of new HIV infections is decreasing , there are two new HIV infections for every one person starting HIV treatment , '' UNAIDS said . Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the region most affected by the epidemic , with 69 percent of all new HIV infections , according to UNAIDS . In seven countries , mostly in eastern Europe and central Asia , new HIV infection rates have increased by 25 percent . UNAIDS said in the Asia-Pacific region , 90 percent of countries have laws that obstruct the rights of people living with HIV . Despite the lower numbers of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths , UNAIDS said the demand for resources is surpassing the supply . `` Donor governments ' disbursements for the AIDS response in 2009 stood at $ 7.6 billion , lower than the $ 7.7 billion available in 2008 , '' UNAIDS said . `` Declines in international investments will affect low-income countries the most -- nearly 90 percent rely on international funding for their AIDS programs . ''
The estimated number of children with HIV/AIDS in 11 Asian countries increases 20 percent . The WHO says the number of new HIV infections has dropped 46 percent in 2004 . But the number of new HIV infections outpaces the number of people starting treatment .