Statement on Jirair Ratevosian Appointment

The Global AIDS Policy Partnership (GAPP)—a coalition of over 70 advocacy and implementing organizations committed to expanding and improving global HIV/AIDS programming—extends its sincere congratulations to Jirair Ratevosian on his appointment as Senior Advisor for the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State.

Jirair’s wealth of knowledge in HIV/AIDS—and, in particular, his focus on health inequities and vulnerable populations—is critical as we seek to reach the 2030 deadline of ending AIDS as a public health threat. His long-standing connection with key population communities, both in the U.S. and internationally, will help to build bridges, influence programming, and amplify the broader human rights dialogue.

As PEPFAR continues to navigate the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, Jirair’s expertise and skill will be invaluable in identifying synergies, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring access to healthcare, medicines, and social services.

Throughout the years, the GAPP has often had the honor of working with Jirair as a collaborator and thought partner. We are eager to continue our strong working relationship as he takes on this new role, focused on strategy development for PEPFAR—a program that has been credited with saving over 20 million lives and preventing millions of HIV infections around the world since 2003—partnership strengthening, and coordination efforts on matters related to the Global Fund and other bilateral and multilateral institutions and international organizations.