Geneva, 1 December, 2008 - On World AIDS Day the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mr Michel Sidibé as the next Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
Congratulating Mr Sidibé on his appointment, outgoing Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot said, “The leadership of UNAIDS is in very capable hands. UNAIDS has a vital role to play in sustaining the progress made in the global response on AIDS.”
Accepting the appointment Mr Sidibé said, “I am indeed honoured to serve UNAIDS. The AIDS epidemic is not over in any part of the world. We have to ensure that there is strong and long term leadership and financial commitment to respond to AIDS that is grounded in evidence and human rights. I also look forward to working within the UN System and with partners from all corners of the world.”
Mr Sidibé currently serves as UNAIDS’ Deputy Executive Director – Programmes and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. He brings 27 yeas of experience in international public health, development, and AIDS. With more than 20 years of service in the United Nations, he has worked for UNAIDS in Geneva since 2001 and with UNICEF in New York and in countries in Africa.
He has been the driving force behind promoting Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. As co-chair of the Global Task Team on improving AIDS coordination among multilateral donors and international donors, he led the effort to align multilateral contributions in support of national programmes and systems. Mr Sidibé has also served to advance the process of UN reform and strengthen partnerships between civil society, governments and people living with HIV.
A detailed biography
For more information contact: Mahesh Mahalingam, telephone + 41 22 791 4918
