UNFPA Arab States Regional Director praises Egypt’s role in advancing the population and development agenda

[Deeq A.]

 

Cairo, 15 June 2021 – UNFPA Arab States Regional Director, Dr. Luay Shabaneh, praised the leading role of the Egyptian leadership in placing the population agenda at the top of its priorities.

Shabaneh noted: ” A new global thinking has started from Cairo focusing on the well-being and rights of people, and the discussion shifted from quantity to quality.” Shabaneh added: “In the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994, 189 countries endorsed the conference Programme of Action, which formed an important basis of the work of the United Nations Population Fund and all the revisions that followed, including the Nairobi summit, in order to follow up on the implementation of the Cairo conference Programme of Action.”

UNFPA Regional Director’s remarks came during a reception organized to announce the joining of young Egyptian actress, Amina Khalil, as an Honorary Ambassador of UNFPA country office in Egypt and to honor UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Ib Petersen, currently on his first visit to Egypt since joining the organization. Petersen is holding several high-level meetings to discuss UNFPA cooperation and support to Egypt – one of UNFPA biggest operations in the region.

Shabaneh added: “Egypt is a key and historic partner of UNFPA. We are proud of this cooperation with a leading partner in the fields of population and social development, especially that one-third of the population of the Arab region lives in Egypt.

Commenting on the appointment of actress Amina Khalil, as an Honorary Ambassador, Shabaneh reiterated UNFPA regional office’s support for this initiative. “Honorary Ambassadors are of particular importance to UNFPA engagement with the public, and having such a beloved, passionate and popular Ambassador like Amina is a great opportunity to advance the rights’ agenda and ensure women and girls have the choice of bodily autonomy.” Shabaneh said.

Qaran News