Actor Rupert Everett becomes Special Representative for UN AIDS agency

The British actor Rupert Everett was today named as a Special Representative for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), tasked with raising public awareness and encouraging the film and broader media industry to participate more in the fight against the pandemic.

Announcing the appointment in a statement, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot noted that Mr. Everett has already been active in the AIDS response for several years, taking part in several major international conferences and working also with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to raise awareness.

“People in the public eye like Rupert can inspire and motivate others to unite against AIDS,” Dr. Piot said. “I am confident that he will speak up, and speak out, building on the good work he has been doing to raise awareness and break down HIV-related stigma.”

For his part Mr. Everett pledged to do whatever he could to advocate on the issue.

“I have lost loved ones to the epidemic and I have seen with my own eyes the devastation that AIDS and AIDS-related discrimination brings,” he said.

Best known for such films as My Best Friend’s Wedding, Mr. Everett is slated to begin his duties immediately, taking part in a World AIDS Day event today in the Indian capital, New Delhi.