Statements and speeches
Statement
Statement by Dr. Natalia Kanem Executive Director, UNFPA at the First Regular Session of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS 2024
01 February 2024
Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the Executive Board, Dear colleagues, dear friends, Happy new year! May 2024 be filled with health, hope, and, above all, peace – peace in our homes, in our communities, and in our world.
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We cannot abandon the people of Gaza
31 January 2024
NEW YORK/GENEVA/ROME, 30 January 2024 – The allegations of involvement of several UNRWA staff in the heinous attacks on Israel on 7 October are horrifying. As the Secretary-General has said, any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable.
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UNFPA calls for scale-up of humanitarian aid and improved access to sexual and reproductive health care for the women and girls of Gaza
20 January 2024
After more than 100 days of conflict, Gaza is unrecognizable. The numbers tell a shocking story, with an unprecedented 2.2 million people in need of aid, and 1.9 million people displaced. Over 24,000 civilians have been killed, 70% of whom are women and children. Many thousands more have been injured, and many are still unaccounted for under the rubble. Of those who have survived, disease, hunger and dehydration threaten whatever little hope they have. The health system is on life support.
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Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, One in five people in the Central Sahel needs humanitarian aid: Now is the time to turn words into action
12 January 2024
NEW YORK/GENEVA/ROME, 12 January 2024 – The crises gripping the Central Sahel are exacerbating humanitarian and protection needs and threatening to reverse development gains. In 2024, some 17 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger need humanitarian assistance and protection – or about one fifth of the population. This crisis also disproportionately affects women and girls, worsening gender inequalities in the region.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem
22 December 2023
As we reflect on the challenging year that has passed, we are reminded of the peace that is missing in our world – the fervent wish of the millions of women and girls UNFPA serves. In 2023, conflicts…
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Human rights require bodily autonomy for all – at all times
09 December 2023
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 75 years ago. Yet its promise to humanity still speaks to us today, louder than ever, calling for dignity, freedom, peace and equality for all.
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All women and girls – including those with disabilities – have a right to bodily autonomy
01 December 2023
Persons with disabilities are too often defined by what they cannot do, or by what society assumes they cannot do. The International Day for Persons with Disabilities is a moment to recognize the important contributions, achievements and leadership they demonstrate in making our societies more just, equitable, and inclusive.
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Ending inequalities and empowering communities are key to vanquishing AIDS pandemic
01 December 2023
The world has made remarkable strides in curbing the AIDS pandemic. There is much to celebrate: New HIV infections have dramatically slowed, and AIDS-related deaths are down 51 per cent from 2010. Yet, we are not at the finish line: The virus still claims far too many lives – an average of one per minute in 2022 – and progress towards ending HIV transmission remains uneven.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem during the Security Council open briefing on the Situation in the Middle East
22 November 2023
UNFPA deplores the loss of life in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the escalating crisis since October 7th. We are deeply concerned for the safety and wellbeing of all women and girls caught up in the conflict. The situation they face is beyond catastrophic.
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Violence against women and girls has invaded all spaces, including virtual ones, and this must end
17 November 2023
For many women and girls, no place is completely safe. Violence invades their homes, schools and workplaces, and now, it is becoming alarmingly widespread in their digital lives.
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Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Humanitarian chiefs will not take part in unilateral proposals to create “safe zones” in Gaza
16 November 2023
NEW YORK/GENEVA/ROME, 16 November 2023 – As humanitarian leaders, our position is clear: We will not participate in the establishment of any ”safe zone” in Gaza that is set up without the agreement of all the parties, and unless fundamental conditions are in place to ensure safety and other essential needs are met and a mechanism is in place to supervise its implementation.
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UNFPA statement on the dire situation of hospitals in Gaza
11 November 2023
UNFPA vehemently condemns the reported attacks on or around Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest healthcare facility, as well as those on other health facilities across Gaza which are already strained to breaking point.
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