Ugandan diplomat Winnie Byanyima has been appointed chair of the board of trustees of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), adding a new international leadership role to her career as she prepares to leave the United Nations AIDS agency.
Byanyima, who heads the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), will take up the position in January 2027, succeeding Paul George, whose term as board chair is due to end that month.
Her appointment was announced by IIED on November 3 and welcomed by UNAIDS, where she will complete her current mandate on December 31, 2026.
Byanyima announced her departure from UNAIDS during a special session of its Programme Coordinating Board on October 26. She said she remained committed to leading the agency with her “energy and determination until the final day of my mandate”.
UNAIDS credited her with guiding the organisation through a period of institutional challenges and changes while maintaining the global response to HIV/AIDS.
In a statement issued on November 3, the agency said she had strengthened the organisation’s foundations and sustained an HIV response based on evidence, data and human rights, with people living with HIV and affected communities at its centre.
What her new role entails
IIED is an independent policy and research organisation that works with governments, communities and civil society on environmental and development issues.
Its work focuses on climate change, nature loss, inequality and sustainable development. The institute says it has spent more than 50 years supporting policies and initiatives aimed at promoting fairer and more sustainable development.
As chair of the board of trustees, Byanyima will lead the body responsible for the institute’s governance and strategic oversight. She will work alongside Executive Director Tom Mitchell, who oversees its day-to-day operations.
Byanyima said she was honoured to join the organisation at a difficult time for sustainable development and international cooperation.
“We share the belief that lasting change comes from working in partnership with communities, policymakers and civil society organisations,” she said.
She added that she looked forward to working with the institute to advance sustainable and equitable solutions to development challenges.
Mitchell welcomed the appointment, citing her experience in international development, commitment to social justice and ability to build partnerships.
“At a time of profound change in the sector, her leadership, insight and ability to build partnerships will be invaluable as IIED continues its mission to advance fairer and more sustainable futures,” he said.
George, the outgoing board chair, also welcomed her appointment, describing her as an outstanding leader with a strong commitment to the institute’s mission.
From Uganda’s Parliament to international leadership
Byanyima’s career spans Ugandan politics, international development and global advocacy.
She served in Uganda’s Parliament for 11 years, representing Mbarara. During that period, she founded the country’s first parliamentary caucus of women MPs and advocated for the inclusion of gender equality provisions in the 1995 Constitution.
She later held senior positions at Oxfam International, the United Nations Development Programme and the African Union Commission.
Her international engagements have also included co-chairing the World Economic Forum and advising G7 and G20 presidencies on gender equality and wealth inequality.
Her appointment to IIED extends her work on social justice and inequality into an institution whose focus includes the relationship between environmental protection and sustainable development.
Byanyima will remain at UNAIDS until the end of December before assuming her new responsibilities in January 2027.
