Guyanese reappointed as United Nations SG of Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS

United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has reappointed former CARICOM Secretariat Assistant Secretary-General, Dr. John Edward Greene as UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean.

Dr. Greene held that position under the stewardship of Ban-Ki – Moon and will continue to do so for another five years during the tenure of Secretary-General Guterres.

“I feel very humble that this new Secretary-General would want me to continue the work,” said Dr. Greene during an interview with the News Room.

He also added that “it is very important to be part of a movement that would improve the lives of people, young people, old people, people with disabilities and I think it is a good contribution.”

Dr. Greene told News Room that his proudest achievement is the PANCAP Justice for All programme which places emphasis on the elimination of HIV-related discriminatory practices against key populations.

“But, I would say that for me I welcome in particular what I consider to be the changing dimensions of involvement of faith-based organizations in establishing what they can contribute to ending AIDS,” Dr. Green said

The UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean remains “overwhelmingly optimistic about our being the first Region in the world to end AIDS because” since he believes “we are now getting the youth involvement in that particular set of goals including the goal related to sexuality and sexual and reproductive rights, we really need to get the youth on board with some good behavior experiences, prevention techniques and when they have AIDS to get treated and tested.”

In this role, Dr. Greene will continue with his responsibility for advancing the cause of HIV/AIDS in accordance with the UN mandates in partnership with the Executive Director of UNAIDS along with regional and national institutions in the Caribbean.

Dr. Green has also shaped programmes in health, education, labour, youth, gender, culture, the environment and sport which fell under his portfolio as assistant Secretary-General for human and social development at CARICOM.