<p> At the International Women's Day Luncheon in Washington, D.C., the Executive Director addressed a large gathering of people "representing organizations who truly care about women and men, young and old all over the world. It is this global goal that unites us, as we act locally to generate support and change."</p>

<p>My friends, 2009 seems to mark a new beginning, but tremendous challenges lie ahead. People everywhere, who are shaken by the global financial crisis, want to contribute and to have hope for a better future.</p>

<p class="bodytext">Distinguished delegates, colleagues and friends,</p> <p class="bodytext"> </p> <p>I stand in front of you today in my capacity as Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, who lost three national colleagues in the in the devastating bombing in Algiers. They lost their lives upholding the ideals of “We the Peoples” as expressed throughout the United Nations system—faith in the fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in peace and justice and in equal rights for men and women.</p>

<p class="bodytext">Today, as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we can trace the evolution of a powerful international movement. We can take pride in the body of international human rights law that has been established and reflected in national legislation.</p>

<p class="bodytext">As we approach the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, violence against women persists as an all-too-common violation of human rights and human dignity.</p>

<p>I am honoured to join you today in Amman. I would like to thank Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)), for her leadership and passion for the rights of the Palestinian people and compassion for their plight. I have witnessed how she seizes every possible opportunity to speak out about the daily struggle of the Palestinian people and of the 35,000 Palestinian staff who are the backbone of the courageous work of UNRWA. Therefore, it is my distinct pleasure to address the UNRWA Hosts and Donors Meeting, an important event at a critical time.</p>

<p class="bodytext">Thank you for joining us today. It is a pleasure, once again, to be in London to launch <i>The State of World Population 2008</i> report from UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.</p>

<p class="bodytext">Distinguished participants,</p> <p class="bodytext"> </p> <p class="bodytext">Colleagues and friends,</p> <p class="bodytext"> </p> <p>I thank you for inviting me to this meeting, especially since UNFPA is an organization about prevention rather than treatment. I could not agree more with previous speakers that we need a major global effort of unprecedented scale to address the crisis of human resources and the tragedy of maternal mortality.</p>

<p>Thank you, Safiye, for your kind introduction and thank you for being one of the leaders of UNFPA who has always believed in me. Thank you Azza and colleagues, from the countries, regions and headquarters for your tireless work in organizing this meeting and bringing all of us together in this historical city of Istanbul.</p>

<p class="bodytext">Today, on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, renews its commitment to the advancement of human rights as a central principle for ending poverty.</p>

<p class="bodytext">Today on World Mental Health Day, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, joins others in calling for “Making Mental Health a Global Priority”. Today, we call for greater integration of mental health and psychosocial support into humanitarian responses and efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).</p>

<p>Today, on the International Day of Older Persons, we celebrate rising life expectancy in many regions of the world as one of humanity’s major achievements.</p>