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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