GENEVA, 9 March 2011—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) congratulates Seth Berkley on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
Dr Berkley is a prominent figure in the response to HIV. He has led the quest to find a safe, effective and affordable AIDS vaccine through his work with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) which he founded in 1996.
At GAVI, Dr Berkley will be leading efforts to protect children and improve people’s health by increasing access to immunisation for common but life-threatening diseases in developing countries.
“I want to personally thank Seth for his leadership in pushing the scientific agenda forward in the AIDS response. His innovative approach in the search for an AIDS vaccine has given hope to millions of people around the world,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “I look forward to working closely with him in his new role with GAVI.”
Dr Berkley will continue as President and Chief Executive Officer with IAVI until he takes up his new position with GAVI in August.
