The Sydney Opera House has been lit up red to mark World AIDS Day on December 1.

The stunt was followed by a fireworks display.

In Taiwan more than 1000 high school students formed a giant red ribbon in Taipei to promote AIDS awareness among young people.

Observed worldwide on December 1, World AIDS Day has become a day when people are able to come together to remember those who have died from AIDS.

It is also a time to recognise the progress that has been made to help ending the disease.

According to UNAIDS, in 2011 there were 34 million people living with HIV around the world.

The United Nations has set a target of 50 per cent reduction in new infections by 2015.