Geneva, Switzerland 24 June 2009

Mr Chairman, Vice-chair, honourable ministers and ambassadors, delegates: Good morning and thank you for joining the 25th meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board. A special thank you to my friend Tedros, who so capably chaired both our Board and that of the Global Fund.

Ending AIDS will be a global achievement of historic dimensions. Not only will millions of lives be saved, but ending AIDS will drive better health, poverty and equity outcomes for the entire human family. Nobody has embodied this passion better than my friend and brother Ambassador Eric Goosby. Even if he is not with us today, I want to recognize his leadership of PEPFAR and the many contributions he made to the global AIDS response with distinction and heart. This is also the last PCB for Mabel Bianco from the NGO Delegation. Mabel, you have always been a great source of support and encouragement, and we will miss you. Finally, thanks to your support, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has extended me into a second term as Executive Director of UNAIDS. I look forward to continuing our collaboration, and I remain at your service.

The governing body of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) met in Geneva from 22-24 June for the 24th Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB). At the meeting the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Mr Michel Sidibé presented his plans for the future direction of UNAIDS,