I deliver this statement on behalf of the EU as a donor.

We congratulate Madam Acting Executive Director Diene Keita on her appointment and thank UNFPA staff around the world for their tireless efforts, often in very difficult circumstances. 

The EU remains firmly committed to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the context of the Beijing Platform for Action, the ICPD Programme of Action and the outcomes of their review conferences. 

We must hold firm to our joint commitments, guided by the 2030 Agenda and the ICPD. Multilateralism and the protection of human rights are fundamental, and UNFPA’s unique mandate across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus is central to achieving them. 

We welcome UNFPA’s new Strategic Plan for 2026-2029. 

SRHR must remain at the heart of UNFPA’s work. Family planning, maternal health and gender-based violence and harmful practices require sustained commitment and action. We also value UNFPA’s focus on humanitarian settings and demographic change. 

UNFPA’s commitment to the UN reform is crucial. SRHR must be firmly positioned within the wider UN and global health system. All relevant stakeholders must collectively ensure coordination, synergies and complementarities. 

Excellencies, 

The growing scale and complexity of the current global needs calls for a collective response. The EU will remain a reliable and responsible partner, but cannot fill the gap left by others. Country ownership and domestic resource mobilisation are crucial. Partnerships with the private sector and international financial institutions are critical to unlock additional resources.  

We are scaling up the EU Global Gateway strategy and implementing our Global Health Strategy and Gender Action Plan. Let me share three examples of our partnership: 

• The EU is a long-standing partner to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership. 

• Beginning 2025, EU funding for UNFPA’s humanitarian work on sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence increased by 36%.

• Through the EU-Africa health partnership, we are launching new programmes, including SafeBirth Africa to combat post-partum haemorrhage and the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme to eliminate violence against women and girls. 

To conclude, UNFPA’s work remains essential for supporting rights and life choices, enabling people to fulfil their potential and contribute to resilient and prosperous societies. Experience shows us it can be done.

The EU stands ready to move forward together with all partners. 

Thank you.