Statements & speeches
Statement
Even as they flee crisis and disaster, women and girls have the right to safety and support
20 November 2024
Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: When conflict and disaster force women and girls to flee their communities and homes, they face grave danger. Displacement takes a devastating toll on their well-being and leaves them exposed to violence and abuse.
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Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee: Stop the assault on Palestinians in Gaza and on those trying to help them
01 November 2024
NEW YORK/GENEVA/ROME – We the leaders of 15 United Nations and humanitarian organizations urge, yet again, all parties fighting in Gaza to protect civilians, and call on the State of Israel to cease its assault on Gaza and on the humanitarians trying to help.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem: Cease the relentless attacks on healthcare in the Middle East
18 October 2024
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, strongly condemns the repeated, egregious attacks on healthcare facilities in the Middle East. These attacks cause death and injury and deprive women of their essential right to access reproductive healthcare.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem on the suffering of women and girls in the Middle East
07 October 2024
Today marks one year since the horrific 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and other armed groups on Israel in which more than 1,250 people were killed, hundreds taken hostage and acts of egregious sexual violence reported. This has been followed by Israel’s deadly military campaign in Gaza, where months of relentless bombardment and ground operations have killed more than 41,000 people – most of them women and children – and caused untold pain and destruction.
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Adolescent girls have a vision for a better future: Let’s stand with them, and not in their way
04 October 2024
Every girl has a vision of what her life will bring. That dream needs to be supported and protected as she makes her journey from adolescence to adulthood. Yet, for millions of girls, adolescence is a time when doors slam shut.
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Statement by UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Diene Keita at the Summit of the Future Plenary
23 September 2024
Demographic shifts - population growth, ageing, migration - are reshaping our world and our future.
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Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory - These atrocities must end
23 September 2024
As world leaders gather in New York for the 79th United Nations General Assembly, and as the threat of a wider regional escalation looms, we renew our demand for an end to the appalling human suffering and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the murder of Rebecca Cheptegei
05 September 2024
UNFPA strongly condemns the violent murder of Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei by her ex-partner. We mourn her passing and extend condolences to her family and loved ones.
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Statement by Dr. Natalia Kanem Executive Director, UNFPA at the Second Regular Session of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS
26 August 2024
I am pleased to be here with you for this Second Regular Session of the Executive Board. I thank the President and the rest of the Bureau for their support and guidance in preparing for this session and throughout the year.
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Open Letter to the Member States of the UN General Assembly, on behalf of the IASC Principals
19 August 2024
This World Humanitarian Day, our staff and volunteers around the world will stand in solidarity to spotlight the horrifying toll of armed conflicts on their colleagues and on all civilians, particularly children.
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The Gambia’s decision to uphold ban on FGM critical win for girls’ and women’s rights
15 July 2024
Joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk
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To leave no one behind, count everyone
11 July 2024
For humanity to progress, people must be counted, wherever they are and whoever they are – in all their diversity. To end inequality, to find and grow peace and prosperity, to weave more threads of hope, the world needs to do more for inclusion.
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