Mobilize for action on sexually transmitted infections Session 5: Increasing political commitment: Building support and investment for STIs

With more than 20 years of public health and international development experience, Birgit Poniatowski has been the IAS Executive Director since November 2020, following more than five years at the organization leading an expanding team responsible for resource mobilization, sustainable partnerships across diverse sectors and key strategic initiatives.

Prior to joining the IAS, she was the Director for Investment and Partnerships at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and earlier managed partnerships and supported the organization’s multi-stakeholder governance processes at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She was educated at Bonn and Heidelberg Universities in Germany and International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. She holds a PhD from Heidelberg University, Germany.

Rhiana Mills is a sexual and reproductive health researcher with particular expertise in digital health, self-care, and pleasure positive SRH.

Julia del Amo Valero is the Director of the Division for the control of HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis in the General Directorate of Public Health and Health Equity, of the Ministry of Health since October 2018. Her previous appointment was as Professor of Biomedical research at the National Epidemiology Center, Carlos III Health Institute. She has a degree in Medicine from the Autonomous University of Madrid, MRCP, (Member of the Royal College of Physicians) in the United Kingdom, Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H), Diploma in Genitourinary Medicine and HIV (Dip G.U.M), Master of Epidemiology in Infectious Diseases (MSc, London School of Hygene and Tropical Medicine) and Doctor of Public Health (Miguel Hernández University of Alicante).

Deputy National of Argentina for the Socialist Party, from the Province of Santa Fe. Vice President of the "Women's, Gender and Diversity" commission from Deputys Chamber of the Nation.

He served as the Executive Director of the institute for LGBT Puclic Policies, where he impemented the HRC "Equidad AR" iniciative, globa labor equity index with involving over 80 companies and organizations in Argentina to pomote workplace free from stigma and discrimination.

He is an independent consultant for the Organization of the Unity Nations to promove transgender right and the HIV respons in the suthern cone of America.
He was integrant of the redactor team for the Equal Marriage Law (2010) and the Identity of Gender Law (2012). Former President of the "Argentine LGBT Federation" and currently Secretary of the Latin Gay Network.

As a polycimaker for the LGBT community, he was part of the political advocay proces to the New integral respons to HIV Law in Argentina (2022), as part of the team of Monica Fein, National Deputy of Argentina, President of "Health" commision of the Chamber of Deputys.

He is currently working on drafting a national Law that prohibits the sexual orientation and gender identity and expression change efforts (SOGIECE).

Florence Riako Anam is a global advocacy thought leader in the HIV response and movement. It matters to her that global policy and research decisions translate into action that directly impacts people living with and affected by HIV to enjoy quality of life. Florence is currently the Co-Executive Director at the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+). Florence has also previously worked at Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Community of Women Living with HIV. She holds a Masters of Arts, Communications degree from The University of Nairobi and Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Maseno University.

Julia del Amo Valero is the Director of the Division for the control of HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis in the General Directorate of Public Health and Health Equity, of the Ministry of Health since October 2018. Her previous appointment was as Professor of Biomedical research at the National Epidemiology Center, Carlos III Health Institute. She has a degree in Medicine from the Autonomous University of Madrid, MRCP, (Member of the Royal College of Physicians) in the United Kingdom, Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H), Diploma in Genitourinary Medicine and HIV (Dip G.U.M), Master of Epidemiology in Infectious Diseases (MSc, London School of Hygene and Tropical Medicine) and Doctor of Public Health (Miguel Hernández University of Alicante).

Florence Riako Anam is a global advocacy thought leader in the HIV response and movement. It matters to her that global policy and research decisions translate into action that directly impacts people living with and affected by HIV to enjoy quality of life. Florence is currently the Co-Executive Director at the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+). Florence has also previously worked at Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Community of Women Living with HIV. She holds a Masters of Arts, Communications degree from The University of Nairobi and Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Maseno University.

Dr Jérôme Salomon, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases

Appointed in April 2023, Dr Jérôme Salomon oversees a broad portfolio of technical programmes covering HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually-transmitted infections, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, mental health, neurological health, substance use disorders, noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer as well as disability and rehabilitation.

He was a Member of the WHO Executive Board prior to his appointment as a WHO Assistant Director-General and has extensive experience in research, public health, health systems management, communicable diseases, health emergencies, antimicrobial resistance and global health.

Dr Salomon holds a medical degree, a Master of Public Health and a PhD in epidemiology (Inserm, Institut Pasteur) and previously served as Full Professor of infectious and tropical diseases in Paris University Hospital and as the Director-General for Health at the Ministry of Health and Prevention of France for more than 5 years and during the COVID-19 pandemic.