Global Fund Declines To Name New Executive Director, Seeks New Candidates
The Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria this week called off plans to name a new executive director to succeed Richard Feachem and said it will launch a new search, the Wall Street Journal reports (McKay, Wall Street Journal, 11/3). Board members at closed meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday were unable to agree on one of two finalists, according to the Boston Globe. The final two candidates were Michel Kazatchkine, a former Global Fund vice chair and France's global ambassador for HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases, and Michel Sidibe, director of UNAIDS' country and regional support department, according to meeting participants. The board rules state that the executive director must be supported by seven out of 10 members from developed countries and seven out of 10 members from developing countries. Sidibe was supported by the developing country members but not by a sufficient number of developed country members -- although the U.S. voted for him -- according to the participants. Kazatchkine was supported by developed country members but not by enough developing country members, the participants said. The naming of a new executive director could be delayed for several months, possibly until the board's next meeting in April 2007, according to officials. Feachem's contract ends in March 2007. The board during the meeting also approved $604 million in new grants, the Globe reports (Donnelly, Boston Globe, 11/3).
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