Head of United Nations AIDS program visits PATH

Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), visited PATH’s headquarters in Seattle to learn more about our efforts to invent new methods of preventing or diagnosing sexually transmitted infections—methods that would be especially useful in developing-country settings. He was in town to deliver the opening address at the annual meeting of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research.

During his July 27 visit, Dr. Piot toured the PATH laboratory and product development shop, met with staff, and received information on several technologies, including our woman’s condom, SILCS diaphragm, lab-on-a card, and other diagnostic technologies.

Executive director of UNAIDS since its creation in 1995, Dr. Piot has a distinguished academic and scientific career focusing on AIDS and women’s health in the developing world. Drawing on his skills as a scientist, manager, and activist, Dr. Piot has challenged world leaders to view AIDS in the context of social and economic development as well as security. Under his leadership, UNAIDS has become the chief advocate for worldwide action against AIDS. It has brought together ten organizations of the United Nations system around a common agenda on AIDS, spearheading UN reform.

Posted August 1, 2007.