UNFPA’s Events during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly

New York, 17 September 2024—The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly is being held in New York from 10 September to 30 September. UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, will host and participate in several side events. These include: 

Investing in the Future: Unlocking Sustainable Financing for Sexual and Reproductive Health

24 September | 1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.  | Gustavino’s, 409 E 59th St, New York 

Despite much progress in the field of sexual and reproductive health in recent decades, more than 250 million women who want to avoid pregnancy are still not using safe, modern methods of contraception. Closing the global financing gap will require large commitments from world leaders, with major announcements expected at this event. 

Speakers include: 

• Christian Louis Ntsay , Prime Minister of the Republic of Madagascar
• Khada Prasad Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal
• Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania
• Anneliese Dodds, Minister for Development and Minister for Women and Equalities, United Kingdom
• Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director

 

Bridging The Gap On Maternal Health For Women And Girls Of African Descent

18 September | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Orange Cafe, UNFPA HQ, 605 3rd Ave | Register | Live webcast

Despite widespread progress in global health in recent decades, women and girls of African descent still die at disproportionately high rates when giving birth, and drastic action is required to rectify this. 

Speakers include: 

• Diene Keita, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director
• Isha Sesay, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador 
• Representatives of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the UN Foundation’s Universal Access Project

 

Storytelling to end Tech-facilitated Gender-based Violence

18 September | 2 - 3:30 p.m. | Orange Cafe, UNFPA HQ, 605 3rd Ave | Register

Media professionals, survivors and civil society will explore the recent podcasts, TV shows, documentaries and movies that are shining a light on the experiences of women who have faced violence online, from stolen nudes, deep fake porn and stalking to sextortion and doxxing. Can storytelling help end tech abuse? 

Speakers include: 

• Manish Rahatkar, Bollywood producer
• Hera Hussain, founder of CHAYN, a global nonprofit that creates resources on the web to address gender-based violence
• Alexandra Robinson, UNFPA Gender-based Violence Advisor

 

#YouthLead: Gender Equality for Girls and Young Women at the Heart of Multilateralism

20 September | 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | ECOSOC Chamber, UN Secretariat | More info | Live webcast

The Summit of the Future aims to forge a new international consensus on how to achieve  the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and ensure a multilateral system that is fit for purpose moving forward. At the heart of this, we must address the barriers that are stopping adolescent girls and young women from shaping the world’s future. 

Speakers include: 

• Ayshka Najib, Action Coalition Youth Lead on Feminist Action for Climate Justice
• Nadine Gasman, President - National Institute of Women, Mexico
• Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director

 

Putting disability rights at the forefront of global progress

21 September | 2 - 5 p.m. | Apella by Alexandria, 450 E 29th Street, New York | Register (for remote viewing)

People with disabilities face systemic barriers and are among the most excluded and discriminated against groups in society. The Summit of the Future is a critical moment to transform their lives, and ensure that disability rights are part of the broader development agenda. 

Speakers include: 

• Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director
• José Viera, Interim Executive Director, International Disability Alliance (IDA).

 

Information for media

For more information or interviews requests, please contact:

• Eddie Wright, ewright@unfpa.org; +1 917 831 2074 
• Tara Jayaram, jayaram@unfpa.org