The Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Kesetebirhan Admasu to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Dr Kesete will play a critical role as the global face of the new Partnership on a day-to-day basis, including establishing and leading a new Partnership Management Team and ensuring that regions and countries are empowered to address the global fight against malaria.
Dr. Winnie Mpanju-Shumbusho, Board Chair of the RBM Partnership said “As a champion of innovation, task-shifting and implementation at scale, Dr Kesete has the exceptional experience to lead this global Partnership into a new era and drive momentum to end malaria for good. We are excited to welcome him on board.”
Dr Kesete will officially commence duties on 1 February 2017 and move into the new RBM offices at the Global Fund in Geneva on 1 March 2017.
Statement from RBM Partnership Board Chair welcoming today's launch of the End Malaria Council
Dear RBM Partners,
It is with great enthusiasm that I share the news of the launch of the End Malaria Council, a high-level group of public and private sector leaders focused on accelerating global efforts to end malaria. The Council, launched today by Bill Gates and Ray Chambers alongside the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, will work in collaboration with the RBM Partnership with a shared goal of accelerating global efforts to end malaria.
The RBM Board has been kept informed about the formation of the Council, and we are eager to work in partnership with Council members to ensure ending malaria remains a priority on the global agenda.
As we all know, the need for leadership and commitment in the malaria fight is acute. As outlined in the 2016 World Malaria Report, we have significant work to do to mobilize the political will and resources necessary to stay on track to meet our goals.
I am enthusiastic about the tremendous progress we have made as a Partnership in the past year and confident that the End Malaria Council members will help us advance our ambitious goals through their voices and networks.
These are the founding members of the council:
Bill Gates, Co-chair and Trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Ray Chambers, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Health in Agenda 2030 and for Malaria
Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive, Dangote Group
H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia
Graça Machel, Founder, Foundation for Community Development, Mozambique
Idriss Déby, President of the Republic of Chad (representing the African Leaders Malaria Alliance)
H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania
Luis Alberto Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank
Peter Chernin, Founder, Chernin Entertainment and The Chernin Group
The Council will grow to represent all of the key malaria-endemic regions.
In Recognition of Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer’s Incredible Contribution to the Global Fight Against Malaria
On 17 January 2017, Admiral Tim Ziemer formally concluded his role as Global Coordinator of the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).
Appointed in June 2006, Admiral Ziemer has served as the U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator for the past ten years, leading the Initiative across two Administrations. Since he took on the role, he has presided over a decade of unprecedented progress in the malaria fight leading to a 29% reduction in malaria mortality rates globally since 2010.
As an active RBM Board Member, Admiral Ziemer has made an unparalleled personal contribution to the RBM Partnership.
The RBM Board Leadership are delighted to confirm that Admiral Ziemer will continue in his role as an RBM Board Member in his personal capacity, so that it can continue to draw on his expert input, insight, and guidance as it moves forward.
The RBM Partnership wishes to place on record its sincere appreciation and thanks for the immense contribution of Rear Admiral Ziemer and wish him well for all of his future endeavours.
The RBM Partnership Board agreed at its 3rd Meeting in September 2016 to undertake a process to identify suitable individuals to fill the two currently vacant seats on the Board. It was agreed that at least one new Board member should come from a malaria-affected country or region in the Americas and that female nominees who met the eligibility and skills requirements would be prioritised to enhance the diversity of the Board.
Following an open and public nomination process and after careful review and consideration at the 4th Partnership Board Meeting, the RBM Partnership Board approved the appointed the following individuals to the Partnership Board:
Professor Maha Taysir Barakat - Director-General Abu Dhabi Health Authority
Dr. Mirta Roses - Director Emeritus PAHO
These appointments complete the RBM Partnership Board. Board members are delighted to welcome two such strong and capable individuals to help lead the Partnership.
