Ambassador Lisa Carty
U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council
New York, New York
June 8, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Thank you, Dr. Kanem for your valuable insights and very thorough presentation of UNFPA’s achievements and we look forward to the opportunity to continue the discussion this afternoon in the interactive dialogue.
The United States appreciates UNFPA’s determination to improve country program delivery and reach women and girls through the lifesaving last mile. Your efforts to drive results enables better outcomes for women and girls across health, education, and economic opportunity and we thank UNFPA staff worldwide for their dedication to achieving these results.
The United States supports UNFPA’s role in shaping a dynamic dialogue around sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and human rights. Prioritizing health and gender equity and inclusion in this discourse remains paramount. We regret that, with increasing frequency, forward progress often triggers backlash visible through enhanced resistance, restrictions, and even dangerous disinformation – all of which pose real threats to public health and to individuals’ wellbeing.
Consequently, the United States welcomed UNFPA’s framing of the 8 billion milestone in the 2023 State of the World Report. At the U.S. launch, senior USAID leadership underscored how population data tells a story of tremendous strides in development, while emphasizing the urgency in enhancing resiliency to health shocks through the investment and the delivery of primary health care, especially SRH.
The United States looks forward to supporting UNFPA and the UN Population Division’s continued stewardship of the ICPD Programme of Action and the thirty-year review of Cairo. We welcome the opportunity to reflect on progress achieved, the unfinished agenda, and the possibilities to chart a bold way forward underpinned by quality population data.
We know there are challenges ahead, but we believe strongly in the value of the UN system and the role of the funds and programs and we find hope in the tremendous achievements witnessed since 1994. We encourage countries around the world to maximize the opportunity of this review. At the end of the day, our work together is about upholding the inherent dignity of every human being.
The United States as UNFPA’s largest bilateral donor in 2022 looks forward to working with UNFPA and the Executive Board to advance this goal. We are committed to an honest and open dialogue to identify the innovative solutions we urgently seek and balancing ambition with pragmatism and strengthening transparency, accountability, and program delivery.
Colleagues now is the moment to turn ambition and words into concrete change. Every action of this Executive Board should have a clear objective and serve to unify our efforts around the potential for UNDP to support our collective ambition. We do not have a moment to lose.
Thank you.
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