UNITED NATIONS, New York—The health and rights of women and young people, particularly girls, will be the focus of various events that will be held during the 69th regular session of the United Nations General Assembly, which starts here tomorrow. A number of these events will be organized by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. In addition, the UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, will be stressing to world leaders the vital need for them to invest in women and young people and to achieve the goals of the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and those of the post-2015 development agenda.
Dr. Osotimehin, who is available for interviews, is scheduled to participate in the following events:
Thursday - Friday, 18 - 19 September
• Global consultation on Faith and Reproductive Health Post-2015
Representatives of various religions and faith-based organizations are expected to re-affirm their support for sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights and to call on the international community to stand up to these rights in the post-2015 development agenda.
Where: Conference Room 9, United Nations, New York
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 21 September
• Social Good Summit
Dr. Osotimehin and Ethiopian supermodel and activist Liya Kebede will discuss maternal health, the role of youth in future development, and ways to take advantage of the ever-changing social media landscape and fast-paced technological innovations to allow young people to fulfill their potential.
Where: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave, New York
When: 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Monday, 22 September
• General Assembly special session on the ICPD beyond 2014
Leaders from around the world, including Presidents and Heads of Government, will assess the status of implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action and renew their commitment for actions required to fully achieve its goals and objectives.
Where: General Assembly Hall, United Nations, New York
When: 1 - 9 p.m.
• High-Level event on realizing the demographic dividend in the Sahel
Participants, including the Presidents of Chad, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali; Melinda Gates, World Bank and United Nations leaders, will take part in an interactive discussion on progress and commitments made through a unique multi-sectoral partnership, including the World Bank, UNFPA and Sahel countries themselves, to enable these countries to reap the bonus of investing in their young people.
Where: Conference Room 6, United Nations, New York
When: 9 – 10:30 a.m.
• High-Level event of African First Ladies on maternal and newborn health
A number of African First Ladies will renew their commitment to maternal and newborn health and to mobilizing political leadership and strategic partnerships for additional investments that would reduce maternal death and promote the well-being of Africa’s girls.
Where: ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations, New York
When: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
UNFPA works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. For more information about UNFPA and its work, visit: www.unfpa.org
Journalists interested in interviewing UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, or other participants, please contact:
Mandy Kibel: +1 212 297 5293, mobile: +1 917 310 8219; kibel@unfpa.org; or
Omar Gharzeddine: +1 212 297 5028, mobile: +1 917 815 7823; gharzeddine@unfpa.org
