(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) On World AIDS Day the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Dr Michel Sidibe as the next Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Congratulating Dr Sidibe 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.”
In accepting the appointment Dr Sidibe said, “I am indeed honored 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.”
Dr Sidibe currently serves as UNAIDS’ Deputy Executive Director – Programmes and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. He brings 27 years 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 and international donors, he led the effort to align multilateral contributions in support of national programmes and systems. Dr Sidibe has also served to advance the process of UN reform and strengthen partnerships between civil society, governments and people living with HIV.
In an invited comment, the Hon. Denzil Douglas stated “As Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and lead spokesperson on HIV/AIDS in the CARICOM quasi-Cabinet, I want to, on behalf of the people of the Caribbean region express sincere thanks to the outgoing Executive Director – UNAIDS Dr Peter Piot for a remarkable 12 years of assistance to the people of the region in our fight against this destructive disease. We are comforted however that Dr Michel Sidibe has been appointed the new Executive Director having worked for some time as Deputy Executive Director. We are certain that Dr Sidibe would be equally dedicated to the task and that with him at the helm even deeper levels of collaboration could be pursued between the efforts made in the region by regional institutions and those efforts of UNAIDS. I therefore, also on behalf of the people of the entire Caribbean region and my esteemed Colleague Heads, congratulate Dr Sidibe on his recent appointment.”
Dr Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary General, CARICOM Secretariat said “We in the Caribbean awoke this morning to the wonderful news of this appointment to the position of Executive Director, UNAIDS. Needless to say how ecstatic I am at this well deserved elevation. CARICOM and Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS and the Directorate of Human and Social Development in particular, look forward to continued collaboration with UNAIDS under his leadership”.
Dr Carol Jacobs, Chair of the National HIV/AIDS Commission of Barbados and former Chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, extended warmest congratulation to Dr Sidibe on his appointment as the Executive Director of UNAIDS and the Under Secretary General of the United Nations. She observed “Dr Sidibe’s wealth of experience, wisdom, vision, and charismatic leadership, as well as his close working relationship with all sectors, including persons living with HIV, will stand him in good stead for his new responsibilities”. She associated herself with other Caribbean leaders in HIV who, recognizing his contribution to the goal of eradication of AIDS, commit themselves to renewed energies in order to realize this critical goal.
Dr Jacobs also expressed deep appreciation to Dr Peter Piot, the outgoing Executive Director for his remarkable leadership and achievements at the helm of UNAIDS. She reflected on this achievement over the past 12 years which defined the legacy which Dr Piot has left for all who follow in his footsteps and added that it has been an inspiration and an honor for the Barbados HIV/AIDS Programme to have been able to work with UNAIDS since its inception under his visionary leadership.
CONTACT: vhackett@caricom.org ; pancap@caricom.org
piu@caricom.org
