SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS ELIZABETH MATAKA OF BOTSWANA AS SPECIAL ENVOY

FOR AIDS IN AFRICA, RENEWS APPOINTMENTS OF THREE OTHERS

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed Elizabeth Mataka, a national of Botswana and a resident of Zambia, as his Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa.  He also renewed until the end of 2008 the appointments of Dr. Nafis Sadik, Special Envoy for AIDS in Asia and the Pacific; Professor Lars Kallings, Special Envoy for AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; and Sir George Alleyne, Special Envoy for AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ms. Mataka, a social worker by training, has been working in the field of HIV/AIDS for the past 16 years.  She has been involved in many different aspects of responding to the AIDS epidemic, including programmes on HIV prevention, clinical treatment for opportunistic infections, care and support at community and national levels.  She has experience working in Government, the private sector and with non-governmental organizations.

Ms. Mataka is currently the Executive Director of the Zambia National AIDS Network (ZNAN) and represents civil society on national policy-making bodies such as the National AIDS Council.  She represents non-governmental organizations from developing countries on the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and serves as the Board’s Vice-Chair.

Dr. Sadik, of Pakistan, served as Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) from 1987 until 2000.  Since then, she has continued her association with the United Nations and remains active in the population and development fields.  Professor Kallings, a Swedish national, was the founding President of the International AIDS Society in 1988 and served as its Secretary-General from 1994 to 2002.  He is currently honorary Chairman of AIDS Accountability International.  Sir George Alleyne, of Barbados, was Director of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) from 1995 to 2003.  He is currently Director Emeritus of PAHO and Chancellor of the University of the West Indies.

The Secretary-General appreciates the valuable contributions the Special Envoys have made in advancing the AIDS agenda in the regions they cover.  Working with a wide range of partners, including Governments and civil society, they have helped mobilize and strengthen responses in many countries.  In particular, they have been instrumental in advocacy on issues related to women and AIDS, championing the greater involvement of people living with AIDS in national responses and promoting support from the private sector.

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For information media • not an official record