His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco (right) awards UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé the Order of Saint Charles. Monaco, 18 November 2009.
Copyright: G. Luci-Palais Monaco

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé was awarded the Order of Saint Charles along with UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura in the Principality of Monaco during the country’s National Day.

The order rewards merit and service to the state or Prince of Monaco and is one of the country’s most prestigious distinctions.

The medal was awarded in the presence of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover and Her Serene Highness Princess Stéphanie.

Expressing his appreciation for the award, Mr Sidibé emphasized the importance of Monaco’s efforts in the response to the AIDS epidemic, noting Monaco’s financial contribution to the response in priority countries Madagascar and Burundi and the personal commitment of the royal family.

Her Serene Highness Princess Stéphanie, Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, has been working with the organization since 2006 focusing on HIV prevention and raising awareness on the impact of discrimination against people living with HIV.

Mr Sidibé praised the leadership of Her Serene Highness in her work to increase the visibility of issues related to AIDS.

During his last visit to the country in May 2009, Mr Sidibé renewed the existing funding agreement between UNAIDS and Monaco until 2011.