Statements and speeches
Statement
ICPD @ 15: Putting People First
30 March 2009
<p>As we meet, the world is seized with crisis. In a few days, leaders of the G-20 countries, representing <span>80 per cent of the world’s output, will meet in London. They will meet against the backdrop of the worst international economic crisis in generations. Countries worldwide are gripped with recession, marked by falling trade, reduced income, and rising unemployment. There is growing concern that the financial crisis will fuel political instability that will also spill across borders.</span> </p>
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World Health Day message
26 March 2009
<p>Today, on World Health Day, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, joins the World Health Organization in drawing attention to the safety of health facilities and the readiness of health workers to treat people in emergencies.<br/> </p>
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UNFPA Responds to the US State Department’s Resumption of Contributions to UNFPA
25 March 2009
<p>Following the announcement by the US Department of State, on 24 March 2009, that it will contribute about $50 million to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, in 2009, Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director, issued a statement.</p>
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International Women’s Day
08 March 2009
<p> <span>On International Women’s Day, the Executive Director called for an end to violence against women and girls, w<span>hether it is human trafficking, domestic violence, crimes committed in the name of honour or passion, child marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, or sexual violence.</span> </span> </p>
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From Crisis to Opportunity
06 March 2009
<p> At the International Women's Day Luncheon in Washington, D.C., the Executive Director addressed a large gathering of people "representing organizations who truly care about women and men, young and old all over the world. It is this global goal that unites us, as we act locally to generate support and change."</p>
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Executive Director's Address to the Board
20 January 2009
<p>My friends, 2009 seems to mark a new beginning, but tremendous challenges lie ahead. People everywhere, who are shaken by the global financial crisis, want to contribute and to have hope for a better future.</p>
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Statement on the First Anniversary of the Terrorist Attack on the United Nations Offices in Algiers
16 December 2008
<p class="bodytext">Distinguished delegates, colleagues and friends,</p> <p class="bodytext"> </p> <p>I stand in front of you today in my capacity as Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, who lost three national colleagues in the in the devastating bombing in Algiers. They lost their lives upholding the ideals of “We the Peoples” as expressed throughout the United Nations system—faith in the fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in peace and justice and in equal rights for men and women.</p>
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Human Rights Day
10 December 2008
<p class="bodytext">Today, as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we can trace the evolution of a powerful international movement. We can take pride in the body of international human rights law that has been established and reflected in national legislation.</p>
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World AIDS Day
01 December 2008
<p>Today, as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, we pay tribute to the leaders in communities and nations who have promoted greater awareness and action to address the AIDS pandemic.</p>
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International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
25 November 2008
<p class="bodytext">As we approach the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, violence against women persists as an all-too-common violation of human rights and human dignity.</p>
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Three Generations of Palestine refugees: The Quest for Human Rights and Human Dignity
18 November 2008
<p>I am honoured to join you today in Amman. I would like to thank Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)), for her leadership and passion for the rights of the Palestinian people and compassion for their plight. I have witnessed how she seizes every possible opportunity to speak out about the daily struggle of the Palestinian people and of the 35,000 Palestinian staff who are the backbone of the courageous work of UNRWA. Therefore, it is my distinct pleasure to address the UNRWA Hosts and Donors Meeting, an important event at a critical time.</p>
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Launch of The State of World Population 2008
12 November 2008
<p class="bodytext">Thank you for joining us today. It is a pleasure, once again, to be in London to launch <i>The State of World Population 2008</i> report from UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.</p>
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