Dr. Natalia Kanem

On 3 October 2017, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Dr. Natalia Kanem Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. She brings to the position more than 30 years of strategic leadership experience in the fields of medicine, public and reproductive health, peace, social justice, and philanthropy.

“The UNFPA mandate has never been more relevant,” Dr. Kanem said. She is the fifth Executive Director of UNFPA since the Fund became operational in 1969.

Executive Director

Dr. Natalia Kanem

UNFPA is calling for a decisive, coordinated set of actions to achieve bodily autonomy, reproductive rights and gender equality well in time for 2030. Yes, it is ambitious. But together we can achieve it.

Dr. Natalie Kanem

Executive Director of UNFPA

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Executive Director's Photo Gallery

Dr. Kanem announces new commitments from Luxembourg and the Gates Foundation at Global Citizen's annual event. © Mary Kang for Global Citizen

New York | 24 September 2022

Dr. Kanem addressing audience on global citizen stage. She is in orange. She stands along side three other women.

Dr. Kanem addresses a live audience at 2022's Global Citizen concert. She is on stage with Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Payzee Mahmod, Connie Britton and Anuschech Amir Khalili. © Mary Kang For Global Citizen

New York, US | 24 September 2022

SWP22 launch in Dakar with Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem

Dakar, Senegal | 01 April 2022

Dr Kanem walks through area hit by Typhoon Rai in the Philippines

Executive Director of UNFPA Natalia Kanem visits Southern Leyte three months after Typhoon Rai (Odette) hit

Southern Leyte, Philippines | 27 March 2022

Dr. Kanem hands an orange dignity kit to a young women

Executive Director of UNFPA Natalia Kanem visits Southern Leyte three months after Typhoon Rai (Odette) hit

Southern Leyte, Philippines | 27 March 2022

Dr Natalia Kanem speaks with young refguee women at a shelter in Chisinau, Moldova

Executive Director of UNFPA Natalia Kanem (right), visits a Ukrainian refugee family who has recently fled war in their country, March 10, 2022 at the Manej Stadium that was transformed overnight into a refugee shelter, in the capital Chisinau, Moldova.

Chisinau, Moldova | 10 March 2022

Ukrainian Mother hands her baby to Dr Natalia Kanem to hold. Surrounded by two other women

Executive Director of UNFPA Natalia Kanem, visits a Ukrainian refugee family who has recently fled war in their country, March 10, 2022 at the Moldexpo centre that was transformed overnight into a refugee shelter, in the capital Chisinau, Moldova.

Moldova | 10 March 2022

UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem visits a mother and her newborn at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital’s maternity ward. © UNFPA/Luis Tato

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo | 17 May 2021

UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem meets with Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize winner and one of the foremost experts on the treatment of sexual violence in crisis settings, at the facility he founded, Panzi Hospital.© UNFPA/Luis Tato

Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo | 13 May 2021

UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem and Diego Zorilla, United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prepare to board a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service helicopter to Bukavu. © UNFPA/Luis Tato

Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo | 13 May 2021

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