Remarks Prepared by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, for the Interactive Round Table on the Agenda of the 2005 World Summit

We are here to discuss the agenda of the World Summit, and I have three points to make.

First, I think it is important that we put women and young people at the top of the agenda. Their health and well-being are critical to the success we are trying to achieve. The empowerment of women and gender equality are at the heart of achieving the Millennium Declaration. Whether we are talking about development, UN reform, or peace and security, making the human rights of women and youth a political priority will ensure progress for all.

Secondly, we have to invest more in health, especially reproductive health. We will not be able to reduce poverty, slow the spread of HIV and AIDS, improve maternal health and reduce child mortality, unless greater investments are made in sexual and reproductive health. This applies to development and humanitarian work. Today there are shortages of HIV test kits, condoms and contraceptives in many countries, and these shortages are putting the lives of millions of people at risk. As a result, many countries, especially in Africa and Asia, are not on track to meet the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Thirdly, we have to build up health systems. Today many people are caught between an inadequate public health system and an expensive private one they cannot afford. We will never be able to achieve the health MDGs unless we collectively address head-on the devastating crisis in public health systems and health personnel afflicting many developing countries.

In closing, we must accelerate action. The largest youth generation—1.5 billion strong in developing countries—and the world’s women are looking to us to deliver. The Millennium Project has identified expanded access to reproductive health as a quick win to achieve the MDGs. This was endorsed in the reports of the UN Secretary-General and the Commission for Africa. Investing in health and human rights is not an expenditure; it is an investment that brings high returns for development, and peace and security. If we invest more in reproductive health and rights, we can reach our goals. Thank you.

 

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To arrange interviews with Ms. Obaid, please contact Abubakar Dungus, at +1 (212) 297-5031, dungus@unfpa.org; or Omar Gharzeddine, at +1(212) 297-5028, gharzeddine@unfpa.org.