GENEVA, 19 November 2010—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes the UN Secretary-General’s announcement of the appointment of       Dr Babatunde Osotimehin as the new Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Dr Osotimehin has served as Minister of Health of Nigeria and was also Director-General of the country’s National Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS.

“I heartily congratulate Dr Osotimehin on his appointment,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “I look forward to working closely with him in ensuring that HIV services are integrated with maternal and child health programmes. Together, we can protect young people and women from becoming infected with HIV.”

UNFPA is a Cosponsor of UNAIDS and leads the programme’s efforts in the area of sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention among women and young people as well as comprehensive male and female condom programming.