UNITED NATIONS, New York - UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, welcomes the focus on peace and economic development at the 11th Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) that is taking place in Dakar, Senegal. "We welcome the focus on poverty eradication," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director.

"Improving the health and education of women and young people will reduce poverty by increasing productivity and political, social and economic empowerment," said Ms. Obaid.

"Women have an important role to play," she stressed, "because they care deeply about their families, communities and nations and can make a positive contribution to peace, development and social cohesion."

"The OIC is a political organization that has the moral authority to bring about a dialogue on the position of women in Muslim countries in the 21st century," said Ms. Obaid.

"UNFPA is eager to work with the OIC to improve the education, health and participation of women and youth and achieve the Millennium Development Goals," she added. “We welcome the proposal by President Wade of Senegal to devote funds for poverty eradication and development to improve maternal and child health.”

Thoraya Ahmed Obaid was appointed head of UNFPA, effective 1 January 2001, with the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. She is the first Saudi Arabian to head a United Nations agency.

Contact Information:

Angela Walker
Tel.: +(221) 5080745
Email: awalker@unfpa.org

Henrietta Aswad
Tel.: + 962 777 65 4544
Email: aswad@unfpa.org