Congratulations are in order for Winnie Byanyima! The humanitarian and activist has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres as the next Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
The former Oxfam Executive Director says she had “very personal” reasons for accepting the UNAIDS job, noting that she lost her brother Bernard to AIDS “as well as many comrades, friends and relatives” and that she is “guardian to children who are HIV/AIDS orphans.”
Speaking in a statement about her appointment, Byanyima said she is honored to be joining the UN body and vowed to champion the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“I am honoured to be joining UNAIDS as the Executive Director at such a critical time in the response to HIV. The end of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is a goal that is within the world’s reach, but I do not underestimate the scale of the challenge ahead. Working with all its partners, UNAIDS must continue to speak up for the people left behind and champion human rights as the only way to end the epidemic.” Byanyima said.
Meanwhile UNAIDS said that Byanyima brings a wealth of experience and commitment in harnessing the power of government, multilateral agencies, the private sector and civil society to end the HIV and AIDS crisis for communities around the world.
She replaces Michael Sidibe who left the position vacant in May, having filled it for over a decade.
