New Executive Director Reaches Out to Partners

Pictured at a 12 Januar_y reception planned by several majpr org_anizations are (left to right) Kathy Calvin and Tim Wirth of the UN Foundation, Rita O'Connor of Americans for UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin of UNFPA, Suzanne Ehlers of Population Action International, and Adrienne Germain of the International Women's Health Coalition.

17 January 2011

NEW YORK -- During his first two weeks of duty, UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin has been busy meeting with UNFPA partners, including several government and civil society representatives, and colleagues from other United Nations agencies, since he assumed office on 1 January 2011.

“UNFPA relies on strong partnerships with actors from all sectors from society,” said Dr. Osotimehin. “Working in close collaboration with governments, civil society, private sector and the UN system, we can use our comparative strengths to really accelerate progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.”

One of the key events during his first two weeks was a welcome meeting by ten major civil society organizations, including the UN Foundation, the International Women's Health Coalition, Population Action International, and Americans for UNFPA, which jointly organized a meeting and reception on 12 January in New York.

In the meeting, Dr. Osotimehin further highlighted the importance of collaboration and stated that he will “place a strong focus on strengthening partnerships, especially with civil society and young people, to increase value for money and to register stronger results.”

Dr. Osotimehin’s agenda will continue to be busy with partner meetings in the weeks ahead, before and after his first official Executive Board session from 31 January to 3 February 2011. “It’s encouraging to meet with people who are committed to support and work with UNFPA; I’m looking forward to introducing myself and presenting my vision about UNFPA’s work to the Executive Board,” Dr. Osotimehin said.