Thank you, Mr. Annan; Welcome Mr. Ban

Washington, DC - October 24, 2006

On January 1, 2007, when U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan steps down and South Korea’s Ban Ki-moon assumes office as the new head of the U.N, PAI and many others will be watching to see whether Ban Ki-moon will support what Kofi Annan started—recognition of the importance of reproductive health to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Recently, the U.N. made major strides toward the achievement of the MDGs by adding a new target—universal access to reproductive health by 2015—to MDG 5, the reduction of maternal mortality by three quarters. By adding this target, Kofi Annan and the rest of the U.N. General Assembly have legitimized and prioritized the need for reproductive health and family planning services around the world as a necessary step toward vanquishing poverty.

Since its inception, the United Nations has played a vital role in global relations and the advancement of societies. More specifically, the United Nations Population Fund helps the governments of over 140 countries better serve the sexual and reproductive health needs of their citizens. This agency provides crucial technical training for health workers, contraceptive and other reproductive health supplies, and obstetric care—in some of the world’s most dangerous places for women such as refugee camps. Sadly, the U. S. continues to withhold our contributions to the UNFPA based on philosophical differences and unfounded allegations around their work in China. Reinstating this funding is vital to women around the globe.

As an international non-governmental organization, PAI recognizes and appreciates the public-private partnership in moving the world towards universal access to reproductive health care. We hope that the U.N.—led by Minister Ban Ki-moon—will continue to work toward the goals set out by the current General Assembly. We strongly urge the U.N. to keep and expand the focus on reproductive health as one of the key ways to eradicate poverty around the globe—and we appeal to the U.S. to restore its contributions to UNFPA in order to once again be a full partner in this endeavor.

Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.