Michel Kazatchkine

Michel Kazatchkine is a distinguished French physician, public health expert, and a prominent figure in public health policy. He is renowned for his long-standing work in prevention, treatment, and public policy related to drugs and infectious diseases. From 2007 to 2012, he served as the Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Under his leadership, the fund significantly expanded access to HIV/AIDS treatment in developing countries and supported the rights of people who use drugs and harm reduction methods.

As the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, he focused on combating the stigma and discrimination that hinder effective HIV prevention and treatment efforts. Kazatchkine is a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, advocating for modern approaches to drug use that focus on regulation and harm reduction instead of punitive measures. Since 2020, he has been a Senior Fellow in the Global Health Program at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.

Kazatchkine is also involved in research and policy initiatives to prevent viral hepatitis and other infectious diseases. He strongly advocates for a public health approach that prioritizes prevention and access to treatment for vulnerable populations, including people who use drugs.