At the joint Executive Board meeting of UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin focused on the challenges of a world population of 7 billion and meeting the needs of the largest generation of young people.
"Advancing the right to sexual and reproductive health remains at the heart of UNFPA," Dr. Osotimehin said.
"To garner greater progress, we will advocate for investments by countries and donors for a comprehensive package of integrated sexual and reproductive health services, as well as comprehensive sexuality education."
The Nordic statement
Sweden's Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Mårten Grunditz, presented the Nordic statement to the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board.
"We believe that every woman and man should have the right to choose when, how and under which circumstances they want to have children. Individuals must be able to make informed choices and have access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptives and safe abortion," ambassador Grunditz said on behalf of the five Nordic nations - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
The Nordic statement can be read in full here.
Visit to Norway
Dr. Osotimehin visited Norway on Mothers Day, Thursday February 10th. He took part in the debate "No woman should die giving life - How can we improve maternal health in the developing world?" at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo.
In the panel:
Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, UNFPA
Erik Solheim, Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development
Gro Lindstad, Director, FOKUS