An estimated 35 million people worldwide are HIV positive, however, some 19 million of these do not know they have the virus, a new report by UNAIDS reveals.

According to the Gap Report, in 2013, 35 million people globally were living with HIV and 2.1 million became newly infected with the virus. Around 1.5 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

However, in the last three years, HIV infections have fallen by 13% and AIDS-related deaths are at their lowest level since they peaked in 2005, falling by 35%.

New HIV infections among children have fallen by 58% since 2001 and for the first time, have dropped below 200,000 in the 21 most affected African countries.

The report noted that when people discover they are HIV positive, they tend to seek life-saving treatment, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART). For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, which is the worst hit region in the world, 90% of people who test positive for HIV go on to access ART.

Furthermore, research indicates that three in four people on ART in sub-Saharan Africa have achieved viral suppression - this means they are unlikely to transmit the virus to any sexual partners.

The report also noted that attempts to increase access to ART worldwide are working. Last year, an additional 2.3 million people were able to access it, bringing the global figure to 13 million.

UNAIDS estimates that as of the end of July 2014, almost 14 million people will be accessing ART.

"If we accelerate all HIV scale-up by 2020, we will be on track to end the epidemic by 2030. If not, we risk significantly increasing the time it would take - adding a decade, if not more," commented Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS executive director.

The report pointed out that if this epidemic was ended by 2030, the world could avert 18 million new HIV infections and over 11 million AIDS-related deaths between 2013 and 2030.

The report also noted that the number of people living with HIV who were receiving treatment was highest in western Europe, North America and Latin America. Treatment rates were lowest in the Middle East and North Africa.

It said that there are a range of things that can affect the fight against HIV, including stigma, discrimination, a lack of data on those most affected and a lack of investment.

"There will be no ending AIDS without putting people first, without ensuring that people living with and affected by the epidemic are part of a new movement. Without a people-centred approach, we will not go far in the post-2015 era," Mr Sidibé commented.