Every country counts its people. The numbers tell decision-makers about current and future needs. "Everyone counts" is the theme for this year's World Population Day. If people and their characteristics aren't counted, governments can't plan. If identification is not granted, it is impossible to track progress over a lifetime. If a birth certificate indicates a need for schooling, that informs the education system. If death records specify, to the extent possible, cause of death, health systems can be oriented to meet actual needs. If death records specify causes related to HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, pregnancy and childbirth, specific health services can be prioritized. Government planning depends on local and regional information that is supplemented by interviews with the groups most concerned. Such data makes it possible to meet real needs.

<p>As we commemorate World Population Day, "Everyone Counts" is a theme that speaks to the inherent value and dignity of each human being.</p> <p> </p>

<p>UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid was the Keynote Speaker in the Ninth International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR) Conference in Istanbul. In her address Dr. Obaid highlighted the importance of partnerships in development work. "For UNFPA partnering with civil society is not just about tapping different capacities – it is about exchanging perspectives, building respect for different types of knowledge, recognizing the power of diversity and making the invisible communities become visible with a clear voice", she concluded.</p>

<p>Distinguished Delegates, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,</p> <p>It is a great pleasure to be here and to participate in this panel. We know that it’s only by working together as colleagues and partners, maximizing our complementarities, that sustainable progress can be made in the countdown to 2015.</p> <p>Today a sense of urgency has translated into renewed momentum among governments and development partners to demonstrate leadership and decisive action in relation to global health and to achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals.</p>

<p>UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, welcomes the establishment of UN Women, the new entity for gender equality and women's empowerment. The Fund looks forward to supporting and working closely with UN Women as gender equality and women's empowerment are critical to the achievement of international development goals and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.</p>

<p>Good afternoon. I am so pleased to be on this panel with such strong leaders and I thank all of you for coming.</p> <p>Distinguished Delegates,<br/> Colleagues and friends,</p> <p>As my friend and colleague UNDP Administrator Helen Clark has just stated, and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has underlined, human rights are not only at the very heart of the Millennium Development Goals; human rights are at the heart of all development in all sectors. Together we need to keep human rights beating strong if we want to achieve the MDGs and keep the promise of 2015.</p>

<p>NEW YORK — UNFPA welcomes the commitment by Group of 8 leaders in the Muskoka Initiative at the G-8 Summit to accelerate efforts to improve maternal and child health.</p> <p>Even though the number of women who die from preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth seems to be declining, far too many mothers still die every day, which has a devastating impact on families, communities and nations. Given the wealth and technology of the 21st century, no woman should die giving life.</p>

<p>GENEVA - On Monday, 21 June, UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid spoke at the opening of the annual session of the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board. She outlined progress in 2009 and said, "The world can no longer afford to allow women to be last in line. Throughout history, women have delivered for the families, communities and nations. Now it is time for the world to deliver to women."</p> <p> </p>

<p> <span>We are here to explain how investments in reproductive health and rights are crucial not just for the achievement of MDG5 to improve maternal health but also for the other MDGs – to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger, ensure universal education, reduce child mortality, curb the spread of HIV and AIDS, promote gender equality, and ensure sustainable development.<span> </span> </span> </p>

<p>"To be lasting, change must come from within," said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid in a keynote speech today on promoting development through a cultural lens. She said that cultural agents of change can be supported in communities to make greater progress for women's empowerment, gender equality and the right to sexual and reproductive health.</p>