AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to Dr. Babatunde.

My delegation looks forward to working with the Executive Board and UNFPA on the 2018-2021 strategic plan.

We also recognize UNFPA’s critical role in crisis settings where nearly sixty percent of preventable maternal deaths occur. We also strongly support the integration of gender-based violence prevention and UNFPA’s broader health programming in humanitarian emergencies.

On the Board of Auditors report, we note the progress made in implementing the last report’s recommendations.

Mr. President, the United States recognizes UNFPA’s work in support of women and girls. Every early or forced marriage we postpone, every obstetric fistula we repair, every mother and child who comes through childbirth healthy, must be our priority.

In closing, we look forward to the important work ahead, with the support of the Fund’s leadership, other governments, civil society, other UN agencies and the private sector, to advance our mutual goals for the benefit of women, children and communities around the world.

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