Opening Remarks by Ms. Diene Keita, UNFPA Executive Director, at the UNGA80 High-Level Meeting on Beijing+30

Mr. Secretary-General,

Madam President,

Excellencies, esteemed colleagues,

Thirty years ago in Beijing, the world pledged to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. One year earlier, at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, governments affirmed that sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights are a precondition for women’s empowerment and essential to dignity and development. Population, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality are inextricably linked.

Beijing and Cairo go hand in hand – mutually reinforcing and universal.

Today, we gather not only to commemorate, but also to thank the Member States for their efforts.

While significant progress has been made, it is fragile. Too many women still die giving birth. Too many women and girls are denied safety and  opportunity. Millions of youths and marginalized people do not have their most basic needs met.

And new threats are rising. Climate change. Increasing conflict. A digital world where technology—including artificial intelligence—can be fabulous opportunities when used properly, instead of being weaponized against women and girls.

Demographic shifts are reshaping societies. Rapid population growth in some regions, ageing in others, rising migration. Systems are strained. Inequalities deepen. Reproductive rights come under threat.

Excellencies, friends,

Let us honour Beijing and Cairo with urgent action. Under our Secretary-General’s leadership, we look forward to delivering as one with our sister agencies on the ground. Let us recommit to do better together and make sure that no woman should die while giving life, let’s invest in rights and choices—the foundation of justice, prosperity, and peace.

Merci.