PRESS
STATEMENT
Asha- Rose Migiro appointed as UN
Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa
GENEVA, 13
July 2012—United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki-Moon has appointed Asha-Rose Migiro as his Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.
“Ms Migiro’s experience in responding to
AIDS as UN Deputy Secretary-General, combined with her many years as an
advocate for health and social justice in Africa, make her uniquely qualified
for this important role,” said Mr Ban.
Ms
Migiro served as the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General from 2007 to 2012.
In that role, she was integrally involved in promoting the AIDS response
globally and within Africa, with special emphasis on reducing the vulnerability
of women and girls and ensuring the rights of people living with HIV.
“I
am honoured to accept this appointment at this crucial moment in the African
AIDS response,” said Ms Migiro. “A decade ago, HIV in Africa was almost
entirely an epidemic of despair. Today, we celebrate progress against AIDS that
we never thought possible. Now is the time to take our efforts to a new
level––I am committed to the Secretary-General’s vision that the beginning of
the end of AIDS in Africa starts now.”
Ms
Migiro served as Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
from 2006 to 2007—the first woman to hold that position since the country’s
independence. She was previously the Minister for Community Development,
Gender and Children for five years. Prior to Government service, she pursued a
career in academia, and, served as a member of Tanzania’s Law Reform Commission
in 1997 and as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women in 2000.
“I
look forward to working closely with Ms Migiro in helping African countries
reduce their AIDS dependency and provide universal access to HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support services,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel
Sidibé. “Her experience and leadership will promote African ownership of the
AIDS response at the highest levels and reduce the inequities of people
affected by AIDS in the continent.”
Africa
remains the continent most affected by HIV. In 2010, about 68% of all people
living with HIV resided in sub-Saharan Africa. The region also accounted for 70%
of all new HIV infections worldwide.
Contact
UNAIDS Geneva | Sophie Barton-Knott | tel. +41 22 791 1697 | bartonknotts@unaids.org
UNAIDS Geneva | Sophie Barton-Knott | tel. +41 22 791 1697 | bartonknotts@unaids.org
UNAIDS
