UNAIDS BEGINS SEARCH FOR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001579 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KHIV TH SUBJECT: UNAIDS BEGINS SEARCH FOR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND U.S. ELECTED CHAIR OF PCB ¶1. (U) Summary. The governing body of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) met in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 23-25 April for the 22nd Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB). The USDEL was led by Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, and included representatives from Department of State, USAID, and U.S. Mission Geneva. The United States was elected Chair of the PCB for a two-year term, taking over from Thailand. The board elected Ethiopia to serve as the vice chair and Guatemala to serve as rapporteur. The meeting was attended by more than 300 participants and observers from member states, international organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations. Taking priority on this year's agenda were: gender sensitivity of AIDS responses; the second independent evaluation of UNAIDS; and the process of nomination for a new Executive Director of UNAIDS. The next full PCB Meeting is scheduled to take place in Geneva in December 2008. Paras 2-6 summarize the key recommendations from specific sessions at the meeting. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) TB/HIV Thematic Day. For the first time, the PCB meeting started its meeting with a one-day thematic discussion. Given the high co-infection rates between HIV and tuberculosis (TB) and the significant need for program synergy, the pre-selected theme was the links between TB and HIV. Issues around the diagnosis and treatment of TB among people living with HIV/AIDS and the need for closer collaboration between HIV and TB programs were addressed. [Comment: The thematic discussion successfully raised awareness of the challenges in addressing TB/HIV co-infection and resulted in good recommendations for future action. In addition, the thematic day enabled board members to engage in intensive informal consultations on key decisions. This allowed the USDEL to defuse a number of sensitive issues prior to their consideration on the floor. End Comment.] ¶3. (U) Independent Evaluation. In June 2007, the PCB requested that an independent evaluation of UNAIDS be carried out to reassess priorities, determine how to build on achievements, and assess the efficacy and effectiveness of UNAIDS (Secretariat and Cosponsors) at the global, regional and country levels. At this meeting, the PCB addressed issues specifically relating to composition of the evaluation Oversight Committee. The PCB agreed to invite an additional nomination of a person openly living with HIV, and to grant a representative of UNAIDS' cosponsoring organizations a liaison role rather than serving as a full member of the Oversight Committee in order to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. The Oversight Committee will consist of representatives from governments and civil society, ensuring appropriate participation of people living with HIV and other stakeholders. The final report of the evaluation team will be presented at the December 2009 PCB meeting. ¶4. (U) Gender. The PCB acknowledged the urgent need to address gender concerns and to scale up country-level work. The PCB asked UNAIDS to take immediate action to respond to these concerns by developing a number of approaches and tools to assist countries in planning and implementing accelerated action. These should address BANGKOK 00001579 002 OF 002 women, girls and gender inequality. In addition, a need was identified to work on similar operational approaches for men who have sex with men, transgender, bisexual and lesbian populations who are also highly vulnerable to the epidemic. The UNAIDS Secretariat will report on progress in this area at the December 2008 PCB meeting. ¶5. (U) New Executive Director for UNAIDS. The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Peter Piot, announced that, after 12 years as Executive Director, he would step down at the end of his term (31 December 2008). Pursuant to ECOSOC resolution 1994/24, the UNAIDS cosponsoring organizations are responsible for providing the Secretary General of the United Nations with recommendations for a new Executive Director, and the Secretary General will appoint a new Executive Director for UNAIDS. The PCB, including the cosponsors, agreed that it is important to present the Secretary General with strong candidates who have broad support from all UNAIDS stakeholders, including Member States, civil society, and the UNAIDS cosponsors. The PCB decided to establish a search committee comprised of representatives from Member States, the NGO delegations, and the cosponsoring organizations. The Search Committee will be responsible for advertising the position, reviewing candidates, and providing the cosponsoring organizations with ranked candidates for consideration and transmission to the Secretary General. The PCB further agreed to hold an extraordinary session in 2008 to review candidates and provide its input to the cosponsors. ¶6. (U) The PCB also reviewed and endorsed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The draft MOU will also go to the Global Fund board for consideration. JOHN ++ SZ:DHOHMAN, ECON:JWALLER