“The Paris Agreement threw people of the world a lifeline, and the United States played a vital role in getting us there, not least by working closely with China to clear the decks to a global deal.”

Ugandan engineer, politician, activist and diplomat

Winnie Byanyima is a Ugandan engineer, politician, human rights activist, feminist, and diplomat, known for her leadership in public life and international advocacy. She serves as the executive director of UNAIDS. Byanyima has built her career across government, diplomacy, and civil society. Her work is associated with human rights and gender equality, and she is widely recognized for speaking on issues of justice, public health, and the rights of women and marginalized communities.