Advisory committee

Two years after the adoption of an ambitious, but achievable Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and Getting on Track to End AIDS by 2030 and the setting of ambitious interim targets for 2025 that the world would need to achieve if we are to reach the 2030 HIV targets within the Sustainable Development Goals, many countries are demonstrating that these targets can be achieved. While progress is widespread, it remains uneven. 2024 must be a year of deep and critical reflection on how to ensure a resilient long‐term HIV response that ensures impact through continued and sustained reduction in new HIV infections and HIV‐related deaths and mitigates the risks of resurgence.

This is a pivotal moment in the global HIV response. It is therefore a unique opportunity to articulate the pathway to success in the HIV response to 2030 and start looking beyond. UNAIDS in close collaboration with its partners have joined efforts towards a new sustainability framework. Under the leadership of governments with their plans, UNAIDS will coordinate efforts to hold HIV response sustainability dialogues and assessments, leading to prepare synthesis sustainability roadmaps by end 2024. The main novelty in this approach and framework is to focus on identifying the transformations needed in the programmatic, policy and financial dimensions of the response in a post-2030 context which, include strengthening of health systems, well crafted integration of the HIV response within those, and multisectoral and policy aspects, such as community systems and human rights policies and challenges.

To provide oversight and ensure a reflective iterative learning across geographies, we are standing up a UNAIDS Advisory Committee (AC) on Sustainability of the HIV Response. The Committee is expected to be a multi-sectorial body that protects country ownership and leadership while providing guidance, consistency and oversight to the multi-country process, inclusive of sustainability dialogues, assessments and roadmap implementation as needed. The AC will not oversee individual country HIV response roadmaps.

The Advisory Committee function

The AC members will provide independent non-binding advice on the overall design and approach to HIV Response Sustainability Dialogues, assessments and Roadmaps and implementation, including providing feedback and suggestions regarding:

Flexible approaches and methods being designed, proposed and adapted;
Priority actions to secure country ownership;
Steps in generating and maintaining political momentum, country ownership, and donor alignment, towards delivery and accountability;
Take stock of progress, analyze challenges and potential solutions to implementation;
Promoting effective examples, fostering cross-learning and South to South collaboration.

The AC members will not be expected to review individual country HIV response sustainability roadmaps.

The Advisory Committee Composition

The Committee will be co-chaired by two high level personalities, noted for their contributions to the HIV response and will be supported by a hands-on Secretariat to ensure its functioning, preparatory works and translation of discussions into action.

The Committee will include in its membership a range of stakeholders working in HIV epidemiology, AIDS response programmatic components, HIV, health and social sector financing, human rights, and community response, as well as representatives of UNAIDS Cosponsors, the Global Fund, PEPFAR, civil society, people living with HIV, key, and vulnerable populations. Committee membership is nominative, and members are institutionally independent from UNAIDS. The proposed membership is as follows:

2 Co-chairs: one Government representatives and one independent expert/thought leader
3 UNAIDS Cosponsors representatives
6 Representatives of PLHIV, civil society and key population
3 Representatives of Regional entities
2 independent experts
4-5 Government representatives, bringing views from their respective regions.

Advisory committee membership is nominative, and members are institutionally independent from UNAIDS.

Advisory Committee Secretariat

The Advisory Committee will be supported by a hands-on Secretariat to guide the process for developing country-led Sustainability Roadmap for the HIV Response, with UNAIDS Secretariat, PEPFAR, the Global Fund and open to other members to join.

The Secretariat will provide coordination and administration support to the Committee including proposing the agenda, preparing the background materials, and organizing the meetings.
The Secretariat will be responsible for minutes of the proceedings and documenting the recommendations of the Committee, and if needed, carrying forward the implementation of actions that may follow the works and deliberations of the Committee.
The Secretariat will act as the liaison between the Committee and the Taskforce and Working Groups set up to support the development of sustainability dialogues and roadmaps.
The Secretariat may be requested, on behalf of the Committee, to seek contributions from other groups or stakeholders that may be considered relevant to consult or involve in the work around HIV sustainability.
The Secretariat will propose to the Committee a Working Group to handle the governance of the HIV sustainability initiative if / as considered necessary.

Members of the Advisory Committee Secretariat

Michael Rufner

Deputy Coordinator for Financial and Programmatic Sustainability, PEPFAR.

Michael Ruffner is the Deputy Coordinator for Financial and Programmatic Sustainability in the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC) at U.S. Department of State since October 2006 where he is working to better integrate and improve the effectiveness of existing funding for HIV, while working with countries to improve their ability to operate and finance their HIV response independently. From 2014 to 2016, he was the Director Financial Sustainability at the U.S Department of State, PEPFAR and an Administrator at OECD from 2000 to 2005. Mr Rufner is currently S/GAC chair for the Kenya and Lesotho programs. In addition to his functional and programmatic responsibilities, Michael is the chair of the Board of Directors’ Audit and Finance Committee of the Global Fund for the Fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Siobhan Crowley

Head of HIV, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Siobhan Crowley heads HIV at the Global fund since 2020. Previously, she was a Senior Health Advisor at Elma Philanthropies from 2019 to 2020, Senior Medical Advisor, Elton John AIDS foundation in 2020, Chief of Health and Nutrition at UNICEF from 2010 to 2013 and Coordinator for HIV treatment and prevention, World Health Organization from 2009 to 2010. Ms Crowley’s experience includes developing evidence-based public health policy including enabling people living with HIV to contribute to WHO global standards on treatment and care. Ms Crowley is a medical doctor with training in HIV and sexual and reproductive medicine, health education, public health evaluation and infectious diseases.

Kalipso Chalkidou

Head of Health Finance at The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Kalipso Chalkidou is the founding Head of the Department of Health Finance at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since January 2021 and also a visiting Professor at King’s College London since 2012. Prior to the Global Fund, she was Director of Global Health Policy and a Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, based in London from 2017 to 2021. Ms Kalipso founded NICE International which she led for 8 years from 2008 to 2016 working with national governments, insurance funds and global donors around the world to improve the value for money of healthcare investments. She has been involved in the Chinese rural health reforms and in national health reform projects in Colombia, Turkey and the Middle East, working with the World Bank, PAHO, DFID and the Inter-American Development Bank as well as national governments.

Jaime Atienza Azcona

Director, Equitable Financing Practice, UNAIDS.

Jaime Atienza Azcona joined UNAIDS in 2021 as Chief, Financing Officer and is currently the Director of the Equitable financing Practice department at UNAIDS since February 2022. Before joining the UN, he worked for over 20 years for several public institutions, private foundations, as a consultant and with global CSO networks. In his 13 years with Oxfam, he led overall campaigns and policy at an affiliate level, co-managed the Global Campaigns and championed the Inequality campaign portfolio, managed the global aid and development finance team and strategy, and was a Campaigns and Policy Director. He is a recognized international expert in financing for universal healthcare and education – particularly on taxation, ODA, debt, and other financial instruments.

Melissa Sobers

Adviser, HIV Financing Policy, UNAIDS.

Melissa Sobers currently serves as an Adviser, HIV Financing Policy at UNAIDS since June 2023. Ms Sobers has been with UNAIDS for 14 years in various roles and duty stations including Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Nigeria, Geneva and Kenya. Previously, she served as a Policy and Strategy Adviser in the Executive Office, Senior Adviser Programme Planning and Monitoring, Im¬plementation Adviser (supporting the implementation of PEPFAR/GF resources) for the UNAIDS Country Office in Nigeria and Regional Adviser. Investment and Efficiency, covering nine countries in the Caribbean. Ms Sobers completed undergraduate studies in Biotechnology and Statistics from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica and postgraduate studies in Actuarial Science and International Health Technology Assessments.

Members will be appointed to serve for an 18 months-time period from January 2024 to June 2025. The Committee is expected to meet face-to-face twice during this period and virtually quarterly for regular status updates. The members will participate on a pro-bono basis; however, the cost of travel and per diem to participate in face-to-face meetings will be covered. The membership of the UNAIDS Advisory Committee on Sustainability of the HIV Response is as follows:

Co-Chairs

Naemi Shoopala

Director of Primary Health Care, Namibia

Naemi Shoopala was appointed the Director of Primary Health Care Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Services in 2020. Previously, she worked for the US Centre Disease Control (CDC) for fourteen years, first as HIV/AIDS Program Field Coordinator, leading the CDC Field Office in northern Namibia, then as the MCH Specialist leading the service delivery team and later as the Health Systems and Sustainability Team lead. Ms Shoopla holds a PhD in Public health from the University of the Western Cape/Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland.

Elhadj As Sy

Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation Board

Elhadj As Sy is currently the Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation Board. He is the former Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). He has also served as senior levels with UNICEF, UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and other agencies for more than 25 years. Before joining the IFRC he was UNICEF’s Director of Partnerships and Resource Development in New York. He has also served as UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa and Global Emergency Coordinator for the Horn of Africa. He was also the Director, HIV/AIDS Practice with the United Nations Development Programme and worked with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as its Africa Regional Director and later as Director of Operational Partnerships and Country Support. He also previously held the position of UNAIDS Representative in New York and Director of the New York Liaison Office.

Members – Government Representatives

Ruth Laibon Masha

CEO, National Syndemics Control Council, Kenya

Ruth Laibon Masha, PhD, is an expert in Public Health with more than 22 years of work experience serving in Government, United Nations, and Civil Society Organizations. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer at National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) formerly recognized as the National AIDS Control Council in Kenya since September 2020. She oversees the comprehensive initiatives to address the multifaceted challenges posed by HIV and other related epidemics in Kenya and also the Chairperson of the HIV Multisectoral Leadership forum of Director Generals of National AIDS Coordinating Agencies from 35 Countries, facilitating international collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of HIV prevention under the umbrella of Global HIV Prevention Coalition.

Mark Blecher

Chief Director, Health and Social Development, National Treasury, South Africa

Mark Blecher is the Chief Director for Health and Social Development at National Treasury of South Africa for over 20 years. He has extensive experience in public sector management, health financing, planning and management. He has also worked on aspects of social security development. He was previously the co-chair of UNAIDS Economic Reference Group and works regularly for other global health organizations such as WHO, GAVI, and the Global Fund. He completed his medical training at Wits and has a PhD in health economics from University of Cape Town.

Mamadou Samba

Directeur Général du ministère de la Santé, Hygiène Publique et Couverture Maladie Universelle, Cote D´Ivoire

Mamadou Samba is the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage, Cote D´Ivoire since 2019 and a professor in public health and health economics at Felix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. He was the Director of Foresight, Planning and Strategies for more than a decade where he coordinated the development of several strategic documents, including National Health Development Plans and the Strategic Health Financing Plan. Mamadou SAMBA is also an international consultant and expert in health financing, strategic and operational planning and health systems strengthening.

Jadej Thammatacharee

Secretary General, National Health Security Office, Thailand

Jadej Thammatacharee is the Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Thailand since 2021 after serving as a deputy secretary general from 2016 to 2021. He was previously the Director General of Policy and Strategic Cluster, NHSO from 2014 to 2016. He also served as Director of Bureau of International Health Coverage from 2012 to 2014 responsible for planning budget, policy implementation, implementing new benefit package, monitoring and evaluation of Universal Health Coverage Scheme. Mr Jadej has a PhD in health policy from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London.

Melvin Brioso

Technical Manager, CONAVIHSIDA, República Dominicanav

Melvin Brioso is the technical manager at the National Council for HIV and AIDS (CONAVIHSIDA) in Santo Dominingo, RD. Previously, he was the Health Sector Planner from 2018 to 2020 and Information Systems Manager from 2013 to 2018 at Provincial Health Directorate. Melvin also served as a country representative on different international dialogues including Regional HIV Forum, Advances and Challenges, Peru 2023, Regional Discussion on Sustainability in the Response to HIV, San Salvador 2023, 24th International Scientifics Conference on HIV and AIDS, Australia 2023 and Meeting of the National Aids Programme Managers and Key Partners, Trinidad Y Tobago, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Melvin has also undertaken different works in social and community entities.

Members – Communities

Florence Anam Riako

Co-Executive Director, GNP+

Florence Riako Anam is Co-Executive Director of the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), since April 2023, and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Before her current role, she was Programme Manager for Love Alliance at GNP+ and leads GNP+ advocacy on paediatric HIV treatment and care. Florence also previously worked at Médecins Sans Frontières as a HIV/TB Advocacy coordinator for Africa from 2018 to 2021 and as Global Policy and communications manager from 2015 to 2018 for The International Community of Women Living with HIV. With her advocacy efforts in the HIV response and movement, she has deep passion for inclusion and growing young people. Florence holds a master’s degree in communication and media studies from the University of Nairobi.

Jules Kim

Global Coordinator, Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP)

Jules Kim is Korean/Australian sex worker and the CEO of Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association -the peak national organization that has been representing sex workers and sex worker organisations, collectives and projects throughout Australia since 1989. She is the Chair for the regional sex worker network, Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW) and is the UNAIDS Program Coordinating Board (UNPCB) NGO Delegate for the Asia Pacific for 2019-2021. Jules represents sex workers on a number of government committees and advisory mechanisms such as the Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee and National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery since 2009 and has provided testimony and expert advice to parliamentary hearings and inquiries in relation to sex work, migration, trafficking and law reform. She has over 20 years’ experience in sex work, sex worker advocacy, community development and representation.

Carolyn Gomes

Vice Chair of the Strategy Committee of the Global Fund, Co-Chair of UNAIDS HIV and Human Rights Reference Group, Co-Chair of the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights

Carolyn Gomes is a Jamaican human rights activist. She is currently the Vice Chair of the Strategy Committee of the Global Fund, Co-Chair of UNAIDS HIV and Human Rights Reference Group, and the Co-Chair of the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights. Previously she served as the Executive Director of Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) from 2014 to xxxx. Before that she was Executive Director of Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) a non-profit, Citizens’ Rights Action Group that she helped found and served as first Chairperson. Dr. Gomes worked in private practice until 2002 when she went to work with JFJ. In 2008 she was one of five recipients of the United Nations Award for Outstanding Service in the Field of Human Rights joining a select group of recipients that includes Nelson Mandela, Benazir Bhutto and Jimmy Carter. In 2009, she was awarded the third-highest national honour when the Order of Jamaica was bestowed upon her.

Andrew Spieldenner

Executive Director, MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights

Andrew Spieldenner is Executive Director of MPact: Global Action for Gay Health & Rights & Associate and a Professor of Health Communication at California State University-San Marcos. He was previously Director of Development at the Latino Commission on AIDS from 2019 to 2012, Director of Programs at the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) from 2005 to 2008. Dr. Spieldenner is a community-engaged researcher and advocate with over 25 years of experience in HIV. Openly living with HIV. He is the co-editor of the books Intercultural Health Communication (Peter Lang, 2020), Post-AIDS (Routledge, 2021) and A Pill for Promiscuity (Rutgers, 2023). He holds a PhD in communication and culture from Howard University.

Members – Independent experts

Justina Kihika Stroh

Economist

Justina Kihika Stroh is an Economist with over 26 years of experience. She started her career in 1994 as a Programme Officer, Health, Gender, and Macro Economy at the Royal Danish Embassy to 2004 and later as an Economic Adviser from 2004 to 2008. M. Justina also served as the Executive Director, Reach Out Mbuya Parish HIV/AIDS initiative from August 2017 to September 2018. Ms Justina has also undertaken various works as an independent consultant in different key areas and agencies including the UN. She holds a Master of Arts degree in international Economics from the University of Sussex.

Izukanji Sikazwe

Cofacilitator of the Africa-led HIV Control Working Group (HCWG)

Izukanji Sikazwe is the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) since 2017 and principal investigator of its PEPFAR/CDC funded HIV prevention, care, and treatment grant. Previously, she was a technical advisor to the Zambia Ministry of Health National ART program from 2010 to 2013. She has keen interest in HIV research, clinical care and training of healthcare providers and she has worked for several years providing direct clinical patient care to people living with HIV and other infectious diseases in both rural and urban communities in Zambia. She continues to provide technical expertise and clinical care in the management of patients with complicated HIV disease, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases in the Adult Infectious Disease Clinic at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. Ms Sikazwe has extensive experience in mentorship and with an excellent understanding of the health and research environment.

Magda Robalo

President and Co-Founder of the Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD)

Magda Robalo is the President and co-founder of The Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD). Previously, she was the Global Managing Director of Women in Global Health and Chair, Ethics and Governance Committee at the Global fund from 2020 to 2022. She also served as a High Commissioner for Covid -19, Guinea Bissau from 2020 to 2021, Minister of Public health from 2019 to 2020, Director, Communicable Disease Cluster, World Health Organization (WHO), 2015 to 2018, WHO Representative to Ghana from 2014 to 2015 and WHO representative to Namibia from 2008 to 2013. She is a public health physician and infectious disease expert, whose career spans for over 30 years in the global health ecosystem. She has a track record in promoting gender equality and equitable access to quality health care, social justice, ethics and accountability.

Members – Regional Entities

Professor Julio Rakotonirina

Director of Health and Humanitarian Affairs, African Union Commission

Professor Julio Rakotonirina is the Director of Health and Humanitarian Affairs at African Union Commission since October 2022. Before, Professor Julio was based in Madagascar and has worked through the health system, from Primary health center to Director of University Hospital and in 2019/2020 he was the Minister of Public Health of Madagascar. He is actively involved in African multidisciplinary expert networks and partnerships to enhance technical support for analytical capacity and data use for Malaria, TB, and HIV in Southern and Eastern Africa. He has skills more than 20 years in African countries, especially Madagascar, Benin, and Comoros, as an Expert-Consultant, Medical Doctor, Specialist in Public Health and Professor in Epidemiology. Professor Julio holds a PhD in public health from Catholic University of Louvain.

Stephen Karingi

Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, UNECA

Stephen Karingi is currently the Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division of the Economic Commission for Africa. He joined the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in April 2004 as Chief, Trade and International Negotiations section. From 2011 to 2015, Stephen served as Director Regional Integration and Trade Division and Director Capacity Development Division at the UN commission for Africa. Before joining the United Nations, Mr. Karingi was a Senior Analyst and the Head of Macroeconomics Division in the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), a Public Think-Tank from 1999 to 2004. Before KIPPRA he served as a Lecturer of Economics at Egerton University from 1990 t0 1999.

Members – Development partners

Mandeep Dhaliwal

Director of the HIV and Health Group, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Mandeep Dhaliwal Director of UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Group, Bureau of Policy and Programme Support. Ms. Dhaliwal brings to the organization over 20 years of experience working on HIV, health, human rights and evidence-based policy and programming in low and middle-income countries. Ms Dhaliwal joined UNDP in 2008 and was the architect of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. Prior to joining UNDP, she was a senior adviser to the Dutch Royal Tropical Institute’s Special Programme on HIV/ AIDS. From 2000 to 2006, Ms. Dhaliwal worked for the International HIV/AIDS Alliance’s Policy, Research and Good Practice Team in the United Kingdom where she focused on issues of HIV care and treatment in developing countries. From 1993 to 2000, she worked on HIV and human rights issues in India, including as the founding Coordinator of the Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit, a leading human rights organization, establishing the Unit’s legal aid, public interest litigation, legal literacy, and policy/advocacy work.

David Wilson

Program Director, Health Nutrition and Population Practice, World Bank WB

David Wilson is the Program Director in the Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice since 2010. Since joining the World Bank, David served as a Senior Monitoring Evaluation Specialist from 2003 and Lead Health Specialist from 2007 to 2010. He served as Team Leader of the World Bank’s COVID-19 and Health Emergency Preparedness and Response and as the World Bank’s Global AIDS Director. David has overlapping careers in academia, epidemiology and global health. He has published 150 odd scientific papers and worked in about 60 countries on all continents, including 28 countries in Africa and many fragile and conflict settings in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific.

Meg Doherty

Director Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, WHO

Meg Doherty is the Director of the Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes (HHS) at the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2020. Dr Doherty was previously the Coordinator of Treatment and Care in the Department of HIV at WHO Headquarters starting in 2012 and Director Clinical and Training Programmes at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health from 2005 to 2010 based in Ethiopia. She has more than 25 years of experience working in HIV and infectious diseases, including leading WHO’s normative and programmatic work focusing on expanding HIV treatment to all and reducing inequalities in access to the most effective anti-retroviral drugs for people living with HIV. Dr Doherty holds a Master’s degree of public health and a PhD in infectious disease Epidemiology from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.