India, June 30 -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched a bold new national initiative aimed at eliminating AIDS among children by 2030 - a move hailed by the United Nations as "a beacon of hope" amid growing global funding constraints.

"Our country can no longer tolerate children being born and growing up with HIV, when tools exist to prevent, detect and effectively treat this infection," President Felix Tshisekedi declared at a recent government conference in the south-eastern Lualaba province, as he launched the five-year initiative.

Backed by an initial commitment of $18 million in national funds, the Presidential Initiative to End Pediatric AIDS will focus on political leadership, systems strengthening and inclusi...