Statements and speeches
Statement
Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on Human Rights Day 2022
08 December 2022
As we mark this year’s Human Rights Day, we call on people everywhere to #StandUp4HumanRights. All 8 billion people alive today should enjoy all human rights, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international agreements and national laws. This year, we at UNFPA applaud the strides that many countries are making in enacting laws and regulations that guarantee full and equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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Remarks by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem at 'The Virtual is Real', hosted by UNFPA and Grace Farms Foundation
07 December 2022
Remarks delivered by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem at 'The Virtual is Real', hosted by UNFPA and Grace Farms Foundation in New Canaan, Connecticut on 7 December 2022.
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First Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
05 December 2022
Remarks by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem at the First Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022
01 December 2022
For the 1 billion people in the world with disabilities, bodily autonomy is a right but not always a reality. Too often, persons with disabilities go unprotected from violence or are prevented from making decisions about their own bodies and lives.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on World AIDS Day 2022
29 November 2022
Equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is crucial for all 8 billion people in our world today. The urgent call to dismantle discriminatory barriers to rights and choices is nowhere more important than in the response to HIV, which is under unprecedented pressure amid multiple global crises.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2022
23 November 2022
With the global population recently reaching 8 billion, we can celebrate many signs of human progress. Better health and longer lives brought us to this point. Yet a sobering reality is how uneven progress has been, and how systematically violence against women and girls still robs so many of dignity, well-being and the right to peace.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the crisis in Somalia
11 November 2022
“A catastrophe is unfolding in Somalia. The country has been blighted by the longest and most severe drought in recent history, which is expected to continue well into 2023. Entire communities are bearing the brunt of the worsening food crisis, but as is often the case women and girls are paying an unacceptably high price.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day of the Girl 2022
10 October 2022
Today, as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl, how many ten-year-old girls are able to look forward to realizing their full potential? A girl’s life should begin the way every life should: as an open book in which she writes her own story.
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Window of opportunity to prevent famine in Somalia is closing
05 September 2022
Joint statement on behalf of the Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, 05 September 2022.
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the devastating floods in Pakistan
02 September 2022
Our hearts go out to the people of Pakistan during this devastating time, as heavy monsoon rains have flooded a third of the country, affecting more than 33 million people, of whom an estimated 650,000 are pregnant women. We are deeply saddened by the destruction, and are working with the Government, our United Nations and NGO partners to support the humanitarian response and secure a speedy recovery from this disaster.
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Statement of the Executive Director to the Second Regular Session of the Executive Board 2022
31 August 2022
Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem at the Second Regular Session of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS on 31 August 2022.
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Remarks by Dr. Natalia Kanem at condolence meeting for Dr. Nafis Sadik
26 August 2022
Remarks by Dr. Natalia Kanem at condolence meeting for Dr. Nafis Sadik, held at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, Friday 26 August 2022.
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