Statement on nomination of Dr. John Nkengasong

Pact 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.

Dr. Nkengasong is a brilliant choice to lead the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history. He is a strong, visionary leader with nearly 30 years of experience in public health. As the first Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Nkengasong has been instrumental in mobilizing the public health response to Covid-19 on the continent. 

A strong PEPFAR is critical to the fight against HIV, particularly as the Covid-19 pandemic has further stressed health systems and negatively impacted the fight globally. According to a recent report from The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, 2020 saw significant declines in prevention, testing and treatment of HIV due to Covid-19. Under Dr. Nkengasong’s leadership, we can reverse these impacts through evidence-based programming.

Pact looks forward to working with Dr. Nkengasong and continuing our strong, long-standing partnership with the U.S. government through PEPFAR to deliver integrated community-based solutions for HIV prevention and mitigation, particularly for orphans and vulnerable children and their caregivers, including supporting closing the treatment gaps for children and adolescents living with HIV, working with and for adolescent girls and young women, key populations and hard-to-reach groups such as migrants and families in artisanal mining communities.