Rustam Kypshakbayev joined UNAIDS in 2021 and is responsible for leading the work on human rights in relation to HIV, including supporting governments in improving respect of the human rights of people living with HIV, as well as building the capacity of civil society. His duties also include synergising common efforts by governments, civil society and international communities.

Rustam is an experienced human rights trainer who especially focuses on human rights philosophy, history, and non-discrimination. He mentors one-year long human rights schools in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. He trained Afghan women students at the Winter School in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. He also delivers  human rights sessions for various civil society initiatives, including those for youth, women, vulnerable groups. 

Before joining UNAIDS, Rustam worked with UN OHCHR (UN Human Rights), managing its project on civil society support for freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association. 

Prior to that, Rustam worked in the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of Kazakhstan where he served as, consequently, expert, senior expert and head of expert department. His work included political rights, non-discrimination and international cooperation. 

Rustam holds a Master’s degree in human rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science (UK, 2017) as well as an International Law degree from the Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan, 2011).

Rustam speaks Kazakh, Russian, English, and Spanish.