Statements and speeches
Statement
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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Statement of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on World Humanitarian Day 2022
16 August 2022
Around the world, there are multiple intersecting and complex crises affecting humankind – from conflict to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, from escalating climate impacts to sharp commodity price increases. Millions of people have lost loved ones, homes, and jobs. Far too many experience hunger and insecurity each day and lack access to basic services. Women and girls disproportionately bear the brunt of these crises and their aftermath. Their rights and choices are often relegated as nice-to-haves – yet sexual and reproductive health and protection services are more than must-haves, they are life-saving.
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Afghanistan: An escalating crisis for women and girls
15 August 2022
Statement of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem
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Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the passing of Dr. Nafis Sadik
15 August 2022
I am profoundly saddened to learn of the death of former Executive Director of UNFPA Dr. Nafis Sadik, proud champion of choice and tireless advocate for women’s health, rights and empowerment.
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