Today, on the International Day of the Midwife, we stand in solidarity with midwives worldwide and thank them for the life-saving work they do.

On the anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok Girls from their secondary school in north-eastern Nigeria, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of the 219 girls still missing, as well all other persons held against their will.

Last year was a landmark for the ICPD, a time of reflection, of celebration, of reaffirmation and of firm resolve to do better. This Commission and world leaders at the Special Session in September affirmed the mandate of the ICPD Programme of Action and the actions for its follow up beyond 2014.

During the past 20 years, we have witnessed remarkable advances in promoting the human rights and dignity of women and girls and their full and equal participation in society. The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, and the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing bolstered progress for women's rights to make their own choices about their bodies and their futures.

Remarks as prepared for delivery addressing First Regular Session of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS

Today on International Human Rights Day, I applaud human rights defenders across the globe and everyone who participated in the 16 days of activism to end violence against women. Together, we must stand up for human rights and human dignity for every one every day. This is a global goal worthy in itself and critical for the advance of peace, justice and sustainable development.

Today, on World AIDS Day, I join every person around the world who believes the next generation should be free of HIV and AIDS. More than 30 years into the epidemic, we have moved beyond the early devastation wreaked by AIDS and scored many successes. Now, we need to do more. We must close the gap by 2030, so that every person has access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and no person is left behind.

As we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, let us mobilize for the 16 days of activism from now until Human Rights Day on 10 December. Join the global effort to “Orange YOUR Neighbourhood” as part of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women.

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Welcome to the launch of The State of World Population 2014, “The Power of 1.8 Billion: Adolescents, Youth and the Transformation of the Future.”