Published 4 July 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News.
Greene completes UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS, assumes role with UNAIDS.CARICOM/PANCAP
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 4TH 2017 – Guyana-born Edward Greene, has completed his tenure as the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS to the Caribbean Region.
He was first appointed to the post on January 1, 2012 and it ended on June 30, 2017.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your activism in our collective quest to end AIDS by 2030 and in particular for the courtesies and cooperation you have extended to me,” said Dr. Greene in a personal note to scores of friends and colleagues.
He said it is evident that while the region has made positive strides in prevention, care and treatment, much more needs to be done as AIDS is far from over.
“In this regard, I feel confident that the Commitments resulting from The Forum of Caribbean First Ladies/Spouses and PANCAP Regional Consultations in which I was involved with Parliamentarians, Faith Leaders, Civil Society, Youth Leaders and National AIDS Coordinators will contribute greatly to positive outcomes for the Region,” said Dr. Greene, who added that his Report for June-July 2017 will help one to appreciation his optimism.
He disclosed that he has agreed to stay engaged in this venture to December 31, 2017 as Special Adviser to the UNAIDS Executive Director and CARICOM/PANCAP.
“During this period I will assist in accelerating the Fast Track and Justice for All Initiatives. Most of all I look forward to the Regional Consultation of Faith Leaders and representatives of the LGBTI Community planned for December,” said Dr. Greene.
John Edward Greene was appointed as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for AIDS in the Caribbean in 2012.
Professor Greene has a long regional and international career in the fields of academia, social sector development, poverty alleviation, organizational development and AIDS.
With academic training across the fields of economics, the behavioural sciences, international relations and political science, and 10 books and over 50 articles, Professor Greene established tenure at the University of the West Indies.
In 2000, he joined the CARICOM Secretariat as Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development. Highly sensitized to the AIDS situation in the Caribbean, Professor Greene crafted the blue-print for the establishment of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) which was recognized in 2004 as an international best practice in the response to AIDS.
Among the many contributions of Professor Greene to the success of the PANCAP there was the arranging in 2002 of the signing between CARICOM/PANCAP and six large pharmaceutical companies of a landmark agreement bringing a significant reduction in the price of antiretroviral drugs for the Caribbean.
For his contribution to the region in health, HIV and human and social development, the Government of Suriname (October 2010) invested him with its second highest national honour, Grand Officer in the Order of the Yellow Star. The Caribbean Youth Ambassadors Corp bestowed on him the Life Time Youth Award for his pioneering role in the region’s youth and development agenda.
Photo 1 – Dr. Edward Greene (right) in discussion with then Prime Minister and PANCAP Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas
Photo 1 – Dr. Edward Greene (right) in discussion with then Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, and PANCAP Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas
Photo 2 – Dr. Edward Greene
