More Executive Director feature stories

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.
High-level panel reviews how the United Nations is measuring results
18 April 2013|
As part of the evaluation week organized by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) taking place from 15 - 19 April 2013 at the UN Headquarters in New York, a high-level panel event, entitled “UN Results – Are we achieving them? How do we know?” discussed whether or not the United Nations is achieving its objectives.
Niger’s First Lady commits to stopping new HIV infections in children
28 March 2013|
The First Lady of Niger, Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou, promised to use her influence to greatly expand prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services in her country. She made her commitment during the official launch of her foundation, “Guri, for a better life,” on 28 March in Niamey, Niger.
UNAIDS Executive Director calls on Côte d'Ivoire to redouble HIV response efforts
27 March 2013|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé urged the Côte d'Ivoire government to intensify its efforts in the HIV response. Mr Sidibé wrapped up a two-day official visit to the country on 27 March.
High-level delegation commits to tackle the deadly epidemics of TB and HIV in Southern Africa
22 March 2013|
This week Swaziland played host to a powerful delegation of health leaders and experts committed to ending the duel epidemics of TB and HIV across the region. Convened by the Ministers of Health of both Swaziland and South Africa, supported by the Stop TB Partnership the meeting brought together brilliant minds and solid expertise to find ways of accelerating action to end the TB and TB/HIV co-epidemics in the countries of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
Swaziland launches a new national framework to eliminate new HIV infections among children by 2015
22 March 2013|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé joined Swaziland’s Minster of Health, Benedict Xaba to launch a new National Framework to stop new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keep their mothers alive.
United Nations agencies meet with President and government officials of Botswana ahead of High-Level Dialogue on Health
05 March 2013|
Ahead of the High-Level Dialogue on Health in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, held in Gaborone Botswana from 5-6 March 2013, four heads of United Nations agencies met with the President of Botswana, Ian Khama to discuss the meeting’s implications to global health.
Lessons from the AIDS response can shape new paradigm for development post-2015, Michel Sidibé tells UN Human Rights Council
01 March 2013|
In a high-level address to the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council on 28 February, UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, stressed the crucial importance of viewing the AIDS epidemic through a human rights prism. The AIDS response, he said, is inextricably linked with the human rights agenda. If the world is to get to zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths then ensuring rights, social justice, equity and gender equality is vital.
UNAIDS and Denmark to strengthen collaboration to advance health and human rights
28 February 2013|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with the Danish Minister of Development Christian Friis Bach on 27 February at the UNAIDS Headquarters in Geneva to find ways to further strengthen collaboration.
Four-year evaluation of PEPFAR concludes
25 February 2013|
On 20 February, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) presented the results of a four-year evaluation of the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Led by Dr Robert E. Black, chair of the evaluation committee, the 700-page report is based on an extensive review of data from over 30 countries receiving PEPFAR funding, interviews with partner organizations and stakeholders, and findings from field visits to 13 countries.
Breaking the conspiracy of silence
22 January 2013|
Thabang Lebese was a little boy who grew up in Orlando East, Soweto. From an early age he could kick a ball—dazzling his family with his talent on the pitch. It didn’t take long before he was given the opportunity to join one of the major football clubs in South Africa and by the age 15 he was playing for the Kaizer Chiefs’ junior team.
UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Michael Ballack gets a first-hand look at the impact of AIDS on South Africa
21 January 2013|
In his role as UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, the German football star Michael Ballack conducted a 3-day mission to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he learned about the impact of HIV on communities and used his star-power to raise public awareness of the epidemic.
“Protect the Goal” campaign launched at opening of the Africa Cup of Nations
19 January 2013|
The campaign aims to harness the power of football to raise awareness of HIV

Press centre

31 July 2013

UNAIDS urges Greek authorities to repeal Sanitary Decree. More

17 July 2013

UNAIDS condemns killing of AIDS activist Eric Lembembe. More

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