Statements and speeches
Statement
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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Joint statement by UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS and UN Women calling for sexual and reproductive health and rights for all
11 July 2024
In April, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, governments renewed their commitment and determination to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the principles of which are embedded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including commitments to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services and to advance reproductive rights.
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Opening Remarks by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem at the ICPD30 Global Dialogue on Technology Shaping an Equitable Future for All
27 June 2024
I welcome you to the ICPD30 Global Dialogue on Technology. UNFPA is very pleased to facilitate –in partnership with our co-Chairs, the Government of the Bahamas and the Government of Luxembourg. Over these precious couple of days, we will learn more about the interaction of technology and equitable development.
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10th International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
19 June 2024
Excellencies, distinguished guests, dear colleagues and dear friends, I greet you in peace – the fervent wish of women and girls everywhere in the world. Calls to stop the bombs echo around the world today. Yet peace is only possible when we end the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence.
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Hearing and healing survivors of sexual violence is essential to lasting peace
18 June 2024
Statement from UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
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Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza
11 June 2024
I greet you in Peace – what the people of Gaza, this region and the world so desperately need, is Peace.
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Statement by Dr. Natalia Kanem Executive Director, UNFPA at the 2024 Annual Session of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS
05 June 2024
Good morning. Buenos dias. We’ve prepared a video showing you some of the energy and excitement of the first two ICPD30 Global Dialogues, the youth dialogue in Benin and the demographic diversity dialogue in Bangladesh. Shall we view it now?
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Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee: No time to lose as famine stalks millions in Sudan amid intense fighting and access denials
31 May 2024
NEW YORK/GENEVA/ROME/WASHINGTON – Time is running out for millions of people in Sudan who are at imminent risk of famine, displaced from their lands, living under bombardments, and cut off from humanitarian assistance.
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