More Executive Director feature stories

UN General Assembly reviews progress in achieving the targets of the 2011 Political Declaration on AIDS
10 June 2013|
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has presented his report on HIV to the 67th United Nations General Assembly which is taking place in New York from 10-11 June 2013.
Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa
28 June 2013|
On 27 July, under the leadership of the Nigerian president Jonathan Goodluck, several head of states and experts advocated in Abuja, Nigeria, to end gender based violence and inequality during the 2nd high level meeting of the Global Power Women Network Africa.
Commissioners begin mapping the route from AIDS to sustainable health
28 June 2013|
Some of the world’s most prominent leaders, thinkers, and activists in the AIDS response are convening this weekend in Lilongwe, Malawi for two days of dialogue focused on defining the role of the AIDS response in the post-2015 agenda.
Russia strengthens commitment to reversing the AIDS epidemic in the region
14 June 2013|
The Russian Federation and UNAIDS have launched a new Regional Cooperation Programme for Technical Assistance for HIV and other Infectious Diseases in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The US$ 16 million Programme, funded by the Russian Government, was launched during the G20 Civil Summit which was held in Moscow from 11-13 June.
Engagement of civil society critical to shaping the G20 agenda
14 June 2013|
As part of its role as President of the G20—the group of the 20 major economies—Russia has this week hosted the G20 Civil Summit. The two-day event featured a bold dialogue among global civil society and decision-makers and culminated in the development of a ‘Civil Communique’––recommendations which will be presented to the G20 to be put onto the agenda of the G20 Leaders' Summit which is being held in St. Petersburg in September 2013.
UNAIDS plans to further expand its focus on youth and HIV
12 June 2013|
The United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé to discuss UNAIDS’ plans to further expand its focus on youth and HIV. The meeting was held on the side-lines of the 67th United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York from 10-11 June 2013.
Scientific breakthroughs in HIV help shape the future of AIDS research in Africa
05 June 2013|
When doctors from the University of Mississippi medical centre announced on 2 March 2013 that a baby had been ‘functionally cured’ of HIV, the world hailed the news as a historical medical breakthrough.
Progress on HIV brings hope to the province of KwaZulu Natal
04 June 2013|
During a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, the Premier of KwaZulu Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize highlighted that progress made in the province has begun to turn around the AIDS epidemic in the South African Province which has been most affected by HIV.
UNAIDS Executive Director says successes in the AIDS response should not result in complacency
03 June 2013|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Member of the Executive Committee for Health in KwaZulu Natal, met on 3 June on the side-lines of the UNAIDS/CAPRISA Symposium: Scientific advances from the ‘Mississippi baby’: Implications for public health programmes on mother to child transmission of HIV taking place in Durban, South Africa.
Kingdom of Bahrain and UNAIDS commit to intensify cooperation
23 May 2013|
During a meeting on May 23 in Geneva, the Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr Sadiq AbdulKarim Al Shehabi and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé pledged to strengthen cooperation between UNAIDS and the Ministry of Health.
UNAIDS reports more than 7 million people now on HIV treatment across Africa––with nearly 1 million added in the last year—while new HIV infections and deaths from AIDS continue to fall
21 May 2013|
As the African Union (AU) begins its 21st summit in Addis Ababa, celebrating 50 years of African unity, The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has released Update a new report on the AIDS response in Africa, documenting the remarkable recent progress against HIV on the continent.
General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and UNAIDS to work toward an accelerated HIV response in the Arab Region
20 May 2013|
The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 20 May marking a new commitment to the HIV response in the Arab Region.
Switzerland strengthens support to UNAIDS
14 May 2013|
The Federal Councillor for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Didier Burkhalter announced the government’s intention to increase its annual contributions to UNAIDS for 2013, 2014 and 2015 during the official visit of UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé to the Swiss capital of Bern. Such contribution reaffirms Switzerland’s position among UNAIDS' top 10 donors.
Burundi marks its National AIDS Day and commits to an AIDS-free generation
08 May 2013|
Burundi marked its National AIDS Day on 8 May and committed to stopping new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive. UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé attended an event at the Kamenge health centre in Bujumbura, Burundi along with the country’s Minister of Health, Dr Sabine Ntakarutimana and the Ambassador from the USA to Burundi, Dawn Liberi.
Rwanda’s President says young people are increasingly calling for a more inclusive and equitable society
07 May 2013|
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame emphasised the importance of the active participation of young people in health and development during his meeting on 6 May with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. President Kagame said through virtual networks and social media young people are increasingly demanding change for a more inclusive and equitable society.
UNAIDS Executive Director says Rwanda is moving from AIDS to sustainable health
06 May 2013|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the government of Rwanda for its leadership in the national AIDS response. The country has made significant progress in its HIV response and is on track to meet national and global HIV related goals.
Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxemburg steps down
03 May 2013|
The Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxemburg, Marie-Josée Jacobs stepped down this week after close to four years in the position and after eighteen years as Minister for Family Affairs and social inclusion.
Call for urgent scale up of access to treatment
23 April 2013|
Vancouver, 1996: Researchers electrify the International AIDS Conference with news of a stunning scientific breakthrough. Using a combination of medicines, they have been able to reduce the amount of virus in the blood of people living with HIV to virtually undetectable levels. In what became known as the “Lazarus Effect,” people once near death were suddenly well again and able to live normal, healthy lives.
Africa Health Forum 2013: Finance and Capacity for Results
22 April 2013|
Big questions were raised about getting the best results in health and development at the World Bank’s Africa Development Forum 2013. The event brought together Ministers of Finance and Health from some 30 African countries to explore effective and creative ways to ensure the future health of the continent.
US Congress and leading actors in the global AIDS response discuss shared responsibility in creating an AIDS- free generation
19 April 2013|
Shared responsibility of the AIDS response must become part of a new global compact. This was the central message of a high-powered breakfast meeting that took place in Washington, DC on 18 April.

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25 June 2013

New HIV infections among children have been reduced by 50% or more in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa. More

19 June 2013

UNAIDS and Lancet to bring together political and health leaders to shape the debate on the future of global health. More

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