Morning Briefing

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine on Tuesday announced he will "step down in mid-March after leading the organization for five years," according to a Global Fund press release (1/24). In a message to staff, Kazatchkine said he "concluded that I should not continue as executive director" following a November decision by the Global Fund Board to "appoint a general manager to oversee implementation of the Consolidated Transformation Plan who will report directly to the Board." The statement continues, "I respect this decision and trust that it was made in the best interests of the Global Fund. ... I am committed to an orderly transition, and I will do all that I can to ensure that the Global Fund emerges from it as a stronger organization" (1/24). In a statement, Board Chair Simon Bland said, "I thank Michel for his remarkable contribution and I look forward to working with him to ensure an efficient transition" (1/24).