Geneva — 26 January 2012 - Geneva, Switzerland. "Michel Kazatchkine has helped to save millions of lives as one of the driving forces in the creation, development and operations of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and we are extremely grateful to him for his leadership and his partnership with the IAS and our members around the world as the Global Fund's Executive Director for past five years," said IAS President Elly Katabira.

Kazatchkine announced on 24 January 2012 that he would resign his position in mid-March. The Global Fund also announced the appointment of Gabriel Jaramillo as the Global Fund's new General Manager.

"Michel made a critical difference in how the world responds to AIDS with his steadfast commitments to human rights, transparency, and meaningful engagement and partnership with nations and communities most highly impacted by the disease, said IAS President-Elect Françoise Barré-Sinoussi. "On the global stage, Michel has always forcefully worked to implement scientifically based interventions for HIV prevention, care and treatment. He is also an especially passionate and compelling voice for human rights as critical to the success of the AIDS response, making the direct connection between protecting the rights of those who suffer discrimination and persecution."

Prof. Kazatchkine led the Global Fund to impressive results, including 3.3 million people receiving antiretroviral treatment for HIV, 8.6 million new cases of infectious tuberculosis detected and treated, and 230 million insecticide-treated nets distributed to protect families from transmission of malaria.

"At this critical moment in the history of AIDS when we have the opportunity to turn the tide on HIV and change the course of the epidemic, the Global Fund's role in channeling donor commitment into effective action on the ground has never been more crucial," said IAS Executive Director Bertrand Audoin. "We urge all donor countries to recommit themselves to robust funding for Global Fund programmes, just as we pledge the IAS's full support to Global Fund General Manager Gabriel Jaramillo and commit to working with him and his colleagues to ensure the Global Fund's continued success as a catalyst for improving health and saving lives around the world.