Unlocking Opportunities: UN Secretary-General's Remarks at the UNFPA Award Ceremony

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a powerful message of respect and congratulations to the laureates of the United Nations Population Award, highlighting the importance of advancing population science and protecting reproductive rights in sustainable development. The ceremony, hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Natalia Kanem, celebrated the work of individuals and organizations making a significant impact in population issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Secretary-General emphasized the significance of advancing population science and protecting reproductive rights in achieving sustainable development, stating that when every person can make informed decisions about their body and future, opportunities are unlocked, communities are strengthened, and progress is accelerated for all.
  • Dr. Varsha Deshpande of India was recognized for her 30-year fight against child marriage, providing legal aid to over 10,000 women, and transforming the phrase "Lek Ladki Abhiyan" into a movement of hope for young girls in her village.
  • The International Union for the Scientific Study of Population has dedicated nearly a century to bridging the gap between data and dignity, including convening global experts every four years to address pressing population challenges such as migration, ageing societies, and climate displacement.
  • The UN Secretary-General thanked Dr. Natalia Kanem for her dedication and leadership as Secretary of the United Nations Population Award Committee and Executive Director of UNFPA, as well as the Committee members, particularly Chair Sidi Mohamed Laghdaf of Mauritania, for selecting this year's honourees.
  • The Secretary-General welcomed the honourees, Dr. Varsha Deshpande and the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, as inspirations for the future they help shape, characterized by dignity, equality, and opportunity for every woman, child, and person.

Statistics:

  • The UNFPA Award hashonoured individuals and organizations working on population issues for the past 45 years (Source: UNFPA).
  • Over 10,000 women received legal aid from Dr. Varsha Deshpande in her efforts to prevent child marriage (Source: UNFPA Award ceremony remarks).
  • The International Union for the Scientific Study of Population has been convening global experts every four years to address pressing population challenges for nearly a century (Source: UNFPA Award ceremony remarks).

Sources:

  • UNFPA, as read by Natalia Kanem in Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' remarks to the UNFPA Award ceremony
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Remarks at the UNFPA Award ceremony in New York (2019)