Statement on Nomination of Dr. John Nkengasong

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation congratulates Dr. John Nkengasong on his nomination as Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator of the United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally at the Department of State. As leader of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Dr. Nkengasong will oversee the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history and make progress towards achieving an AIDS-free generation.

Dr. Nkengasong’s years of distinguished global public health service have prepared him to face the exceptional challenges awaiting the next Global AIDS Coordinator. His high-level leadership and demonstrated expertise at the intersection of virology and policy make him a uniquely qualified nominee to address the complex public health challenges facing the world today.

A leading virologist with over 30 years’ experience in public health, Dr. Nkengasong comes from Africa and possesses deep experience in addressing the HIV pandemic on the continent – where the world’s HIV burden is the heaviest. As the first Director of the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and former Deputy Principal Director of the Center for Global Health in the United States, Dr. Nkengasong has used his public health expertise and specialization in global HIV & TB to champion an accessible, data-driven approach. He currently serves on the advisory board for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and in 2020, was appointed as a special envoy to the Director General of the World Health Organization for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response.

The PEPFAR program is one of the greatest commitments by any nation to address a single disease, saving over 20 million lives since launching in 2003. Now, as the global health community and the world continue to grapple with devastating impacts of COVID-19, steady leadership from PEPFAR is more crucial than ever.

EGPAF looks forward to continuing its longtime partnership with PEPFAR, under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Nkengasong – prioritizing children, youth, and families in meaningful ways and catalyzing momentum to achieve the first AIDS-free generation.