Michel Hamala Sidibé was appointed African Union (AU) Special Envoy for AMA in April 2021 by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Sidibé will lead the advocacy efforts for accelerated ratification of the Treaty establishing the AMA, by AU Member States

A former Minister of Health and Social Affairs for Mali (2019-2020), Sidibé has championed a people centered approach to health and development for over 40 years.

He served as Executive Director of UNAIDS, holding the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (2009-2019). Prior to joining UNAIDS, Sidibé worked at UNICEF and for Terre des Hommes, where his passion for advancing global health and social justice began.

Under his leadership at UNAIDS, more than 25 million people started life saving HIV treatment. His vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths has been a rallying call that has inspired millions in the global AIDS and health movement. Global resources mobilized for the fight against AIDS grew from $9 billion to $22 billion during his tenure.

Sidibé is a renowned tireless champion of African-owned solutions and has been an outspoken advocate for local pharmaceutical production of medicines and other essential health commodities. He contributed to the efforts towards access to quality and safe medicines and vaccines and in fighting global inequities. In this capacity, he was also appointed a board member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy in 2021.

In 2019, the African Union Member States expressed « their profound gratitude to Sidibé for his contribution to the attainment of the objectives of the AU, including Agenda 2063».

An economist by training, Michel Hamala Sidibé is the recipient of various African and global awards, including honorary doctorates from world’s leading universities