Dr Djibril Diallo, Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), has been appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer, African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, Inc. (ARDN).

A statement issued by Mr Charles-Martin Jjuuko, Communications and Global Outreach Officer, UNAIDS Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja said the appointment would become effective on March 25.

Jjuuko said Diallo, who was also the Senior Adviser to the Executive Director of UNAIDS, held several management positions with the United Nations for more than three decades.

He said Diallo would lead ARDN’s `Pathway to Solutions’ initiative, which aims to popularise the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to increase public understanding of the role and functions of the UN.

“The international project (Pathway to Solutions) has its genesis in the collective hope and vision of the office of UN Deputy-Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, and ARDN,’’ it said.

He quoted Constance Newman, Chair, ARDN’s Board of Directors, as saying that Diallo’s expertise in international relations, diplomacy and human development would be critical to the overall success of the SDGs.

“We are confident that under his leadership, ARDN will be well-poised to contribute to the world we want.

“The world defined by peace, justice, freedom, respect, social progress, equal rights and human dignity, tolerance, solidarity and sustainability – starting with Africa and the African diaspora,” she said.

Jjuuko also quoted UNAIDS Executive Director, Dr Michel Sidibé, as saying that UNAIDS look forward to continued close collaboration between UNAIDS and ARDN with Diallo in the lead.

The statement also quoted the new ARDN’s president, Diallo saying that he was deeply humbled by the trust and confidence that has been placed in him.

“I am excited to see what I can do in this new capacity to advance the United Nations’ hope and vision of a better world.

“When we talk about Africa and the diaspora, we’re ultimately talking about the entire world; ARDN is built on the fundamental principle that we are stronger together.

“Today, more than ever, it is important that we remember and reflect on this. This planet earth is the only home we have, and we are one human family,” he said.

Newsmen recall that African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, Inc. (ARDN), is an internationally operating NGO headquartered in New York, with the status of a United States 501(c)(3) public charity.

ARDN’s mission is to accelerate the attainment of the African renaissance by advocating for and supporting United Nations programmes, such as the SDGs.

ARDN mobilises the passion of government, educators, Mayors, artists, intellectuals, the private sector, civil society and youth, using the power of art, sport and culture as vectors for creating a better world.

ARDN also serves as the Secretariat for the Global Alliance of Mayors and Leaders from Africa and of African Descent.

NAN