(1st plenary meeting) UNICEF Executive Board, 2026 Annual Session

Good morning.
Excellency's distinguished delegates.
Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats.
Thank you.
It is my pleasure to call to order of annual session of the UNICEF Executive Board for 2026.
We will begin this morning with agenda item one, which is the adoption of agenda.
The provisional annotated agenda, timetable and organization of work can be found in document slash ICEF slash 2026 slash nine, which is available on the documents page of the Executive Board website.
I invite the Secretary of Executive Board, Mr.
Andrés Franco, to introduce the agenda and the conduct of business for this session.
So you have a floor.
Presidente.
Thank you, Chair.
President, Excellency, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
The details of the agenda have been published on the executive board website.
They were presented during the pre session on the 1st of June 2026, and they've also been published in the Journal of the United Nations.
I am pleased to inform you that on Tuesday and the 16th of June and tomorrow, Wednesday, the 17th of June, there will be morning meetings from 10:00 A.M.
To 1:00 P.M.
And afternoon meetings from 3:00 P.M.
To 5:00 P.M.
On Thursday, the 18th of June, there will be morning only meetings from 10:00 A.M.
To 1:00 P.M.
On Friday, 19th of June, we also anticipate morning only meetings from 10:00 A.M.
To 1:00 P.M.
In the event of changes to the timetable, we will announce them periodically during the session.
An updated agenda for each day will be available in the daily UN journal, and updated timetables will be published on the annual session page of the executive board website.
Please be reminded that the president will use the following priority order in according the right to speak.
First, members of the Bureau of the UNICEF Executive Board who may wish to take the floor and they will be organized by rank.
Secondly, representatives of the regional groups of the United Nations speaking on behalf of their groups and or for joint statements also organized by rank.
Then thirdly, permanent missions to the United Nations that have sent in written requests in advance on time to take the floor at a specific time organized by rank once again with priority given to the members of the executive board, followed by observers and organized by rank.
Then fourth and last, we will take advance written requests received after the deadline, followed by requests received from the floor using the electronic system on a first come first served basis.
Microphones will start blinking to alert speakers 1 minute before the end of their allotted time and speakers will be muted after their time has ended, which is to say at either the end of 3 minutes or at the end of 5 minutes.
The time limits and also the muting of the microphone of speakers will be applied throughout the session.
We had kindly asked that request to take the floor be submitted via the online speaker request form by 11:59 P.M.
On Friday the 12th of June 2026, Eastern Daylight Time.
All requests received by that deadline were included in the online live list that is being used by the executive board for the annual session.
The online live list was made available on the executive board website, starting yesterday, Monday, 15th of June 2026, and it will be updated continuously throughout the session.
The list can also be accessed by scanning the QR code posted on the walls of this conference room.
In order for this arrangement to be effective, we do need your collaboration.
We would therefore encourage those delegations who have not yet submitted their online request to do so as soon as possible.
Delegations presenting statements at this session are kindly requested to submit electronic versions to my colleague, Mr.
Nojel Tavila ahead of time and no later than 2 hours before delivery as possible.
Please indicate the title of the agenda item in the subject line of the email and in the heading of the statement.
Once provided to the secretaria, statements will remain embargoed until delivery.
A which they will be posted on the executive board website and published in the UN Journal.
We kindly encourage delegates to keep their oral statements within the time limits.
Longer version of their statements, as shared with the executive board Secretariat, will be made available on the executive board website.
The delegates who only wish to view the session rather than actively participate in it are encouraged to follow the proceedings via UN web TV.
We look forward to engaging discussions with all of you over the coming days and we look forward to a productive and successful annual session.
Thank you, President.
Thank you.
Senior Pérez.
Thank you, Mr.
Secretary, for this important information.
I should like to comment on the provisional agenda.
I don't see anyone.
If that's not the case, I take it that the executive board wishes to adopt the annotated agenda, time table, and organization of work contained in document E slash ICEF slash 2026 slash nine.
If there is no objection, it is so decided.
Distinguished delegates, in accordance with Rule 50 and the annex to the rules of procedure, I now ask the Secretary of the board to inform us of observer delegations that have communicated to the Secretariat that wish to participate in the session.
Secretary.
Thank you, Mr.
President, Distinguished delegates.
The Secretariat has so far received credentials from 41 observer delegations, one intergovernmental organization, six non governmental organizations, and two national committees for UNICEF.
The delegations that have not yet submitted their credentials are requested to share them with us as soon as possible by completing the online credentials accreditation form, as well as informing miss Tian Ruby Lu by email when this has been done so that we can take timely action.
The accreditation form is linked in the information note, which has been published on the documents page for the annual session of the UNICEF Executive Board website.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank our secretary for his remarks.
We have now concluded our discussions on this agenda item.
Let's move to item two.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to welcome you to our 2026 annual session of the UNICEF Executive Board.
I would like to thank the members of the Bureau, the executive director, and UNICEF staff across headquarters, regional and country offices for their dedication in preparing for the session and for their continued commitment to advancing the rights and well being of children around the world.
This annual session comes at an important moment.
We gather following the completion of a UNICEF strategic plan 2022, 2025, and at the beginning of implementation of a strategic plan 2026, 2029.
This transition offers an opportunity to assess achievements as well as challenges and to review our collective commitment to ensuring that every child survives, thrives, learns, and is protected.
During this week, we will consider the executive Director's annual report for 2025 and review progress made under the previous strategic plan.
We will also examine the updated integrated results and resources framework for the new strategic plan period.
These discussions are important because they connect vision to implementation and measurable results.
Our responsibility as a board is to ensure that UNICEF remains focused, effective, and accountable in delivering for children, especially those facing the greatest disadvantages.
Throughout this session, we will review UNICEF's humanitarian action, organizational effectiveness, and oversight functions, including progress on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, organizational culture, ethics, evaluation, audit, investigations, and risk management.
These discussions are essential to ensuring that UNICEF has the right mindset and remains properly equipped to deliver best results for all children.
Now important dimension of our work concerns a broader United Nations system.
We will receive updates on the repositioning of the United Nations development system and on the UN 80 initiative.
These discussions remind us that UNICEF success is closely linked to effective multilateral cooperation and a United Nations capable of delivering impact at scale.
As we begin our deliberations today, I encourage all delegations to engage actively and constructively throughout the session.
By working together in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect, we can help to ensure that UNICEF remains a strong and effective organization capable of meeting the needs of children today and in the years ahead.
We are stronger together.
I thank you.
I now invite miss Katherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, to make some opening remarks.
You have a floor.
Great.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, thank you for joining us for this annual session of the UNICEF Executive Board.
I'd like to very much thank the president of the Executive Board, the members of the Bureau, and all board members for your continued partnership and support.
Once again, as President referred to, we have a very full agenda with many important topics for discussion.
These include presentations of the annual report of the Executive Director for 2025, the Annual Report on humanitarian action, as well as updates on repositioning the UN development system and the UN 80 Initiative.
Excellencies, we come together at a consequential moment for children across all regions, children are confronting a convergence of crises that threaten hard won gains in survival, learning, protection, and development.
At the same time, new and different challenges are emerging.
Children are learning to navigate rapidly evolving digital environment.
They're interacting with advanced technologies that present both extraordinary opportunities and significant risks.
But this is more than a story of crises.
It is also a story about choices, choices about whether upholding the rights of children is something we do, not just something we say, and choices about whether investments in children are protected when budgets come under pressure.
Here, I would like to highlight an issue that has deeply concerning implications for whether children can realize their right to essential services and care, the fiscal burden of servicing huge and sustainable debt.
Today, nearly 400 million children live in countries where debt burdens are outpacing investments in health, education, and nutrition.
In 37 countries home to approximately 1.1 billion children, governments now spend more servicing debt than they do on health in all situations.
This means less available resources for children's vaccines, medicine, and primary health care.
The consequences are profound.
These countries account for an estimated 3.2 million under five deaths and 96 million stunted children each year.
In other words, children are suffering and dying because their governments are spending increasingly high levels of their revenue to service their debts, resources that could otherwise be used on essential services.
The world responds to this debt crisis is one of the most consequential questions for children everywhere.
The choices made now on debt restructuring, on fiscal space, on what gets protected and what gets cut will shape the trajectory of an entire generation.
Three decades ago, we saw some success in debt reduction.
Debt relief initiatives helped create fiscal space for investments in child survival, education, and development.
This created a fresh start for some fragile states.
However, many countries eventually experienced a return to the high risk of debt distress due to global commodity price drops, climate shocks, and more borrowing.
Debt sustainability is often discussed in financial terms, but for children, it is ultimately about whether schools remain open, whether health workers are paid, whether nutrition programs continue, and whether governments can invest in the next generation.
In this sense, debt is not only a financial issue, it is a child rights issue and protecting children's rights requires protecting investments in children.
UNICEF will continue to work with governments, international financial institutions, development banks, and partners, including the Vatican, to ensure that children remain at the center of the conversation on debt restructuring, fiscal policy, and development financing.
Excellencies, despite these challenges, progress for children remains possible.
Over the course of the previous strategic plan, UNICEF invested nearly $32 billion in program delivery for children and communities around the world, strengthening systems to ensure scale and sustainability.
In 2025 alone, UNICEF and our partners supported nearly 39 million births in health facilities.
We reach 51.9 million children with services for the integrated management of neonatal and childhood illnesses.
As a top priority, we trained 4.8 million health workers and through our supply operations, we delivered 3.2 billion vaccine doses to 103 countries.
UNICEF reached 27.8 million out of school children with access to education.
We helped protect nearly 10.4 million adolescent girls at risk of child marriage and we expanded climate and environmental programming to 129 countries and territories.
These are not simply statistics.
They represent children who survived, learned, were protected, and were given a better chance to reach their potential.
Every one of these results reflects UNICEF's enduring commitment to upholding the rights of children.
Strategic plan that concluded in 2025 demonstrated that even amid conflict, economic uncertainty, and shrinking resources, we can deliver for children.
Our current strategic plan provides a framework for the next phase of this work.
It focuses our efforts on helping children survive and thrive, learn and acquire new skills, live free from poverty, and be protected from violence, build resilience to climate and environmental risks.
Excellencies, the need for this work has rarely been greater.
In 2025, UNICEF responded to 414 emergencies across 101 countries and every day we continue our lifesaving programs in even the most challenging humanitarian context.
In Gaza, where children face the deadly consequences of conflict, deprivation, and the collapse of essential services, in Sudan where millions of children remain displaced and at risk of violence, child recruitment, disease, and hunger, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where conflict, sexual violence, and an outbreak of the Ebola virus continue to threaten children's lives, UNICEF is working to reach children with lifesaving assistance and protection.
But in these and other crises around the world, humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources.
Last year, for example, UNICEF received 31% of the funding required under our humanitarian repeal.
As part of OCHA global humanitarian appeal for 2026, UNICEF has requested $7.7 billion to reach 73 million children with humanitarian assistance.
In addition, funding for our critical long term development work is similarly constrained and this has real human consequences.
It means fewer children reach, fewer services delivered, and more children left.
Excuse me.
In practical terms, this can mean reducing the frequency of nutrition treatment, scaling back protection services, or limiting access to safe learning spaces.
For children, these are not marginal adjustments.
They are the difference between recovery and relapse, between protection and exposure, between hope and despair.
Despite these challenges, UNICEF is adapting.
We are strengthening partnerships with governments and local actors.
We are investing more in preparedness and anticipatory action, and we are working to make every single dollar go farther.
However, cuts in development assistance almost across the board are having an impact, and there are limits to how much efficiency can compensate for declining resources.
Excellencies, we all know that crises do not respect borders.
Conflict in one region can cause large scale migration to another.
An Ebola outbreak in one country can quickly spread to its neighbors and beyond.
In addition, ongoing geopolitical tensions clearly demonstrate how interconnected today's challenges have become.
Disruptions to key global transport routes and rising fuel costs have increased the cost of delivering lifesaving supplies around the world.
Vaccines, nutrition, commodities, medical supplies, and education materials are taking longer and costing more to reach the communities that need them.
Every additional dollar spent on transportation is $1 that cannot be spent directly on children.
These pressures reinforce the importance of resilient supply chains, flexible funding, and sustained investment.
Sufficient blend of quality financing, including flexible resources allows UNICEF and our partners to act early, respond quickly, and direct support to where the needs are the greatest.
In 2025, UNICEF's emergency program fund, which is funded by core Resources, issued nearly $70 million in loans to 35 countries and regional offices, getting resources to children within 48 hours of the onset of a crisis.
This ability to move quickly saves lives and it demonstrates why predictable, flexible funding remains one of the most effective investments member states can make in safeguarding the rights of all children.
Here, I would like to recognize the important work of our national committees, both in generating significant regular resource contributions and in their impactful advocacy and engagement for children's rights around the world.
Excellencies, protecting children's rights also means helping shape the environments in which children grow up.
Children consistently tell us that they do not experience a clear divide between their online and offline lives.
For them, these worlds are interconnected.
The rights must be protected in both.
Artificial intelligence offers enormous opportunities to expand access to learning, information, and services, but it also presents significant risks.
We have already seen the emergence of AI generated deep fakes that exploit and sexualize children, demonstrating how quickly new technologies can create new forms of harm.
The choices governments, technology companies, and societies make today will help determine whether these technologies advance children's development or place them at greater risk.
UNICEF is working with governments, industry, and partners to ensure that children's rights, safety and well being are built into these systems from the outset.
Earlier this month, UNICEF contributed to discussions that helped inform the first common G seven principles for the online safety of children.
We welcome this important step forward and we stand ready to support implementation.
UNICEF is also actively engaged in the first global dialogue on AI governance.
As children account for one third of Internet users worldwide and are adopting AI enabled technologies faster than adults, their interests and perspectives must be reflected in the rules and safeguards that will shape their future.
But as we advocate for children in humanitarian action, public finance, and climate policy, we must also ensure that children's rights are protected in the digital age.
Excellency, to succeed in these efforts, UNICEF continues to strengthen effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability across the organization and beyond.
At a time when member states are rightly focused on the future of the multilateral system, UNICEF remains fully engaged in efforts to strengthen how the United Nations delivers.
We support reform not as an abstract exercise, but because better coordination, stronger collaboration, and greater efficiency translate into better outcomes for children.
Across the UN 80 agenda and broader reform efforts, UNICEF is contributing expertise, leadership, and operational experience.
From data and evidence to supply chains, shared services, and country level cooperation, UNICEF has long been a constructive and committed partner in efforts to make the United Nations more effective.
We have been helping to advance practical reforms for many years and will continue to engage actively and positively in efforts to strengthen the UN system.
Because if the United Nations delivers better, children will be served better.
These reforms are not an end to themselves.
They help ensure that every possible resource reaches children.
Excellencies, at a time of growing needs and increasing pressure on public resources, accountability matters more than ever.
Member states, partners, and the public rightly expect UNICEF to demonstrate not only results, but also integrity, transparency, and responsible stewardship.
UNICEF remains committed to strong governance and independent oversight.
We continue to strengthen evaluation, audit, ethics, investigations, risk management, and safeguarding systems across the organization.
Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse remains a top priority, supported by continued investments in prevention, reporting mechanisms, survivor centered approaches, and accountability.
Strong oversight is fundamental to our mission.
It is fundamental to maintaining trust, improving performance, and ensuring that resources achieve the greatest possible impact for children.
Before closing, I would like to highlight that later this year, UNICEF will mark its 80th anniversary.
For eight decades, UNICEF has worked alongside governments, communities, partners, and children themselves to advance children's rights and improve children's lives.
But the challenges facing children today are not the same as those UNICEF confronted in 1946, and the challenges they will face tomorrow will be different again.
Alongside conflict, poverty, disease, and climate shocks, children are increasingly confronting mental health challenges, online harms, and the opportunities and risks created by rapidly advancing technologies.
For 80 years, UNICEF has adapted to meet changing needs of children.
We must continue to do so, and we will because our commitment to children's rights is ironclad.
We will move forward together every day until every child has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.
That is why we do this work.
That is UNICEF's mission.
Thank you very much.
I thank Executive Director Catherine Russell for her remarks.
Distinguished delegates, we will now move to our first substantive item of the day, the annual report for 2025 of Executive Director of UNICEF, Item three of the agenda.
The report is contained in document slash ICEF slash 2026 slash ten and covers 2025, the final year of UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022, 2025.
It takes stock of progress towards the aims of a plan presenting and analyzing progress against key indicators.
The report is accompanied by the following documents.
Report on the implementation of integrated results and resources framework of UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022, 2025.
Do UNICEF slash 2026 slash EB slash, Report on the implementation of quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system.
Document UNICEF slash 2026 slash EB slash eight.
Description of independent oversight functions bodies in UNICEF, Do UNICEF slash 2026 slash EB slash N, Data Companion and scorecard, and the update of integrated Results and resources framework of the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026 2029.
Document E slash ICEF slash 2026 slash 11.
In addition, the executive board has before it for its information, the UNICEF report on the recommendations of a joint inspection unit, contained in document E slash ICEF slash 2026 slash 12.
The report summarizes the UNICEF response to recommendations addressed to the organization contained in reports and notes issued by the Joint inspection unit from January through December 2025.
Inspector Conrad Hunt, Chair and inspector of a Joint Inspection Unit will be joining us online to make a statement on the UNICEF report on the recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit.
But I will first invite Mr.
Bo Victor Nuland, Director at Interim Office of Research and Evidence in Ascenti to present the annual report for 2025 of the Executive Director of UNICEF.
Following will be the statement by Inspector Hunt and then the presentation of the UNICEF report on the JU recommendation by Mr.
Naim azar, Deputy Director, Division of Financial and Administrative Management.
The floor will be open for comments on Agenda Item three in its entirety after three speakers have made web interventions.
I now give a floor to Mr.
Nuland, so you have a floor.
Thank you, President, distinguished members of the executive board, observers, colleagues.
I'm delighted to present the annual report for 2025 of the Executive Director, which represents the final report on the implementation of the strategic plan 2022 to 2025.
I will also present the updated Integrated results and Resources framework for the strategic plan 2026 to 2029.
Next slide, please.
In 2025, UNICEF operated in a rapidly evolving global landscape shaped by overlapping and protracted crisis.
Conflict, climate shocks, and economic stress are converging at scale, disrupting services, deepening inequalities for children, and intensifying insecurity in food.
UNICEF strengthened the quality and timeliness of humanitarian response, expanded shock responsive social protection, and advanced child centered systems based approaches to resilience and climate adaptation.
Units have also prioritized equitable access to essential services and supplies, increased localization and partnerships, and strengthen digital safeguards to protect children in an increasingly online environment.
Next slide, please.
Despite rising pressures, UNICEF delivered strong overall performance across all five goal areas with an achievement rate of over 80% for 15 out of 18 result areas.
Progress has been comparatively slower in a few areas, primarily due to contextual and systemic factors, including global aid contraction and declining funding flexibility, constraining multi year investments and resulting in prioritization trade offs and reduced scale.
Next slide, please.
Allow me to share some key achievements and more details are available in the data companion.
423 million children under five benefited from programs preventing all forms of malnutrition, reflecting UNICEF scale and system wide reach.
Over 27.2 million out of school children accessed education in 2025 alone, helping close persistent access gaps in fragile and crisis affected settings.
46.7 million children and adults were provided with community based mental health and psychosocial support services, while 34.7 million people gained access to safe basic drinking water.
74.2 million children and adults had access to safe channels to report sexual exploitation and abuse, reinforcing accountability and safeguarding.
10.9 million women and children in humanitarian contexts were provided with risk mitigation prevention or response interventions to address gender based violence.
Finally, UNICEF actively contributed to six packages under the Secretary-General UNAy action plan.
Next slide, please.
This slide showcases UNICEF performance for change strategies and enablers, both of which are central to how UNICEF delivered results.
For example, community engagement and social and behavioral change, strengthened social cohesion, built resilience, and deepened partnerships and meaningful participation.
Data, research, evaluation, and knowledge management enhanced our understanding of major trends affecting children, enabling monitoring and progress toward child related SDGs, and informed the development of the strategic plan 2026 to 2029.
Strong progress has been made toward gender balance and equitable geographic representation in the professional workforce.
Efficiency gains have been achieved through shared premises with UN agencies.
Units of performance in the partnerships and engagement change strategy was lower than expected due to fewer countries where business integrated children's rights.
Next slide, please.
Looking quickly at the financial picture, total revenue was 7.9 billion in 2025.
Details on revenue and expenses are in the report on the implementation of the IRRF of the strategic plan for the period 2022 to 2025.
Next slide, please.
Shifting now to the Integrated Results and Resources framework, which was endorsed by the executive board during its 2025 second regular session, along with the strategic plan 2026 to 2029.
Building on the comprehensive consultation process, including with governments, national committees, and both private and public partners in development of the IRRF, it is now updated with the baselines, milestones, and targets.
These were developed with all country offices based on lessons learned and informed by the evaluation of the UNICEF strategic plan for the period 2022 to 2025.
Targets are designed to fully reflect UNICEF's operating reality, integrating humanitarian action across all results areas, and reinforcing the humanitarian development collaboration.
We have strengthened the focus on deseggregated data to sharpen equity, improve visibility of the most excluded children, and strengthen accountability.
Next slide, please.
In terms of changes, indicators were updated to align with the finalized QCPR monitoring framework with 28 QCPR indicators now integrated or tagged in the results framework.
This led to five indicators being revised or removed and increased output indicators to 84.
One new impact indicator, namely prevalence of wasting among children under five has been added to better capture progress on the first impact result.
Baselines, milestones, and targets for indicators carried over 2022-2025 strategic plan are included.
Remaining values have been finalized and will be formally added at the second regular session.
Looking ahead, UNICEF will focus on strengthening systems, partnerships, and evidence.
We will focus on scaling targeted support, mobilizing and diversifying resources, advancing integrated system wide policy approaches in line with QCPR and the UN 2.0 agenda, and strengthening evidence.
UNICEF will remain the steadfast child rights champion, amplifying children's voices and guided by their hopes and aspirations.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank Mr.
Nuland for his remarks.
I invite now Inspector Hunt to deliver a statement on the UNICEF report on the recommendations of the Joint inspection unit.
So you have a floor.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Distinguished members of the Executive Board and Excellencies, thank you for inviting the GIU to participate in this meeting.
Actually, inviting the unit to UNIC governance body sessions when the GIU reports are considered has become an established good practice, providing a valuable opportunity to highlight the important issues and to brief you on the unit's recent activities.
The acceptance and implementation of AU recommendations remain key indicators of the relevance and the impact of the units work.
I'm pleased to note that UNICEF is among the participating organizations that have the highest rate of implementation.
As of June 2026, for the reports issued 2017-2024, UNICEF recorded an acceptance rate of 77% with 96% of these recommendations already implemented.
We commend UNICEF for this high implementation rate and look forward to seeing further progress in increasing the rate of acceptance of the IUS recommendation.
In this regard, I would like to mention that the new recommendation tracking system was launched in 2026, which is publicly accessible dashboard available on the JIU website.
This advanced system is designed to further facilitate and ensure transparent and accurate monitoring of the JIU's recommendations and reporting on progress in their consideration and implementation.
Allow me to just briefly provide an update on the unit's recent ongoing work.
In 2025, the unit issued six system wide reports, all accompanied by extended versions.
In 2026, to date, two single organization reports, one on UNSCO and one on WMO have been issued.
The unit also continues to work on reviews carried over from previous years, which are expected to be finalized in the coming months.
For its 2026 program of work, the IU selected six system wide topic of which they were based on proposals received from our participating organizations.
The program includes review on practices and mechanism for adapting to financing challenges, implementation of the three lines model, shared service, which is a common topic today on the UN 80, earmark funding in mandate implementation, digital transformation, and the acceptance and implementation of outcome of our own recommendation.
Distinguished members, you have before you UNICEF report on the recommendations of the GIU summarized in UNICEF response.
From the period January 31st to December 2025.
It provides a summary of the status of all accepted GIU recommendations addressed to UNICEF prior to 2025.
GIU notes that with respect to the report issued in 2025, UNICEF has not accepted one recommendation, has considered three recommendations as not relevant or outside UNICEF sole limit for implementation and has seven recommendations on the consideration.
In this context, the executive board may wish to seek further clarification from management on the rationale underpinning these determination, including how alignment with system wide standards and best practice has been assessed and whether any alternative measures are envisaged to address the underlying objectives of the respective recommendation.
We also look forward to the consideration of outstanding recommendations included in Annec one and two of the UNICEF report on the JIU's recommendation.
Distinguished members of the Executive Board, on behalf of the IU, I extend my gratitude to UNICEF Secretariat for its cooperation and support of IU's review and to the members of the executive board for their continued attention to the unit's work.
I thank you, Mr.
Fen.
I thank Mr.
Hunt for his remarks.
I now invite Mr.
Akza to present the UNICEF report on the recommendations of a joint inspection unit.
Sir, you have the floor.
Mr.
President, distinguished members of the executive board and colleagues, I'm pleased to present to you the UNICEF report on the recommendations of the joint inspection unit as contained in document E slash ICEFslash 2026 slash 12.
Let me begin by sincerely appreciating the continued interest and engagement of the executive board in overseeing our response to GIU recommendations.
We recognize the important role GIU is playing in strengthening system wide coherence, efficiency, accountability, and remain fully committed to supporting its work.
In 2025, GIU issued six system wide reports that were relevant to UNICEF.
These reports contained a total of 27 recommendations directed at UNICEF, five addressed to the executive board and 22 to the executive director.
Management is pleased to report strong progress in the implementation of GIU recommendations.
Six recommendations were accepted of which 11 were implemented within the same year.
Five recommendations remain in progress, three related to PSEA and two related to health services.
One recommendation was not accepted which relates to the ombudsman function, considering UNICEF has an established recruitment framework which ensures independent and impartial selection process.
Two recommendations fall outside UNICEF sole remit as the required interagency consensus.
UNICEF supports these recommendations and will continue to advocate for action at the appropriate forums.
One recommendation related to health services is not relevant.
Seven recommendations remain under consideration as several recommendations were issued in the latter part of 2025 and involve interagency dimensions, UNICEF is assessing the most effective implementation approach.
Additional details on the rationale for each recommendation is set out in detail in the next one of the report.
Turning briefly to recommendations issued in prior years.
Of the 18 open recommendations as of last year, ten recommendations remain under consideration by the executive board related to the governance and oversight review.
Six recommendations have further been implemented in 2025.
Only two recommendations are currently in progress, one related to addressing racism and racial discrimination with updates already reported to the executive board and anticipated closure by fourth quarter of 2026.
One related to mental health and well being where enhancements to counseling reporting framework are ongoing.
I would like to highlight that UNICEF is the second largest contributor to GIU budget, and as noted in the report of the Joint Inspection unit for the period 2017 to 2024, the UNICEF implementation rate was as high as 95.7%.
We have significantly reduced the number of long outstanding recommendation over the past quadranum from 12 in 2021 to just two at present, demonstrating sustained institutional commitment to timely implementation.
In conclusion, UNICEF values the constructive engagement of both the GIU and the executive board and will continue to strengthen internal processes and interagency coordination to ensure effective, timely, and accountable implementation of the recommendations.
Thank you once again for your attention.
I thank Mr.
Zar for his remarks.
Distinguished delegates, I now open the floor for statements on this agenda item item three, and for the general national statements.
Delegations are kindly reminded that their statements should remain within the agreed time limits.
3 minutes for individual delegations speaking in their national capacity and 5 minutes for delegations speaking on behalf of United Nations regional groups or for joint statements of two or more member states.
Microphones will start blinking, tolerate speakers 1 minute before the end of the alloative time and speakers will be muted after their time has ended.
At either the end of 3 minutes or the end of 5 minutes.
I give a floor to a distinguished representative of Iceland.
Mr.
President, thank you for giving me the floor.
Madam Executive Director, thank you for your opening statement and let me express the gratitude to you for your productive visit to Iceland in relation to the global annual meeting of the national committees.
Iceland acknowledges the achievements made by UNICEF in the past year in a time of rising need and reduced resources.
At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the threat these challenges pose to the progress achieved to date.
For instance, when it comes to children's health outcomes and their access to quality education.
With the number of children affected by conflict and climate shocks, UNICEF's mandate is more crucial than ever.
We sincerely appreciate the commitment of the agency and its staff to protecting children, upholding their rights, and meeting their needs in extremely challenging circumstances.
In these settings, it is important for UNICEF to continue to engage meaningfully with local communities, strengthening their capacity to take lead when the time comes.
We also value UNICEF's efforts to ensure an inclusive approach to program delivery, providing safety and opportunity for all children.
The importance of keeping gender equality at the forefront of our work cannot be understated.
This remains even more critical as we face a global pushback on gender equality.
It is also the smart thing to do at a time of limited resources as gender responsive programs deliver better long term results.
The new gender equality action plan is an important instrument in that effort.
Madam Executive Director, Iceland appreciates UNICEF's active engagement with the UN AD process and the leadership role the agency has taken on a global supply chains and data.
Given its large footprint, we encourage UNICEF to lead by example when it comes to the refiguration of UN country teams in an effort to truly deliver as one UN at country level.
We would like to see UNICEF's support of strong resident coordinators with authority to challenge fragmentation and duplication.
Furthermore, UNICEF must continue to ensure that all its country programs are aligned with the country cooperation frameworks and support their implementation.
Iceland remains committed to its partnership with UNICEF and continues to prioritize providing flexible and predictable funding with focus on core resources enabling UNICEF to respond to the most pressing needs of children.
I thank you.
I thank our distinguished representative of Iceland.
Next speaker is Eritrea.
Mr.
President, Madam Executive Director, distinguished delegates.
I have the honor to deliver the joint statement on behalf of the African states that are members of the Executive Board of UNICEF, namely Equatorial Guinea, Esmatii, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, United Republic of Tanzania, and my own country, Eritrea.
Let me start by thanking you, Mr.
President, for your opening remarks and for keeping the focus on children everywhere in the world.
Mr.
President, the Executive Director, miss Catherine Russell, has given us a clear sense of where things stand and where UNICEF is trying to go.
UNICEF continues to do incredibly important work, even as the challenges grow, especially in conflict zones.
We responding to humanitarian crises that affect children is becoming harder and more complex.
We want to acknowledge the strong leadership of the executive director and the dedication of UNICEF staff, both at headquarters and in the field.
We commend the regular briefings and updates during the pre session as they give us valuable opportunities to prepare for the formal sessions.
Mr.
President, we'd like to thank all the speakers who made presentations in reference to the annual report of 2025.
As the annual report of 2025 indicates, Africa's children are among those most threatened by the 23.1% global cut official development assistance with core resources representing only 19% of total income, well below the 70% benchmark.
It is clear that the financial and the ODA landscape continue to shift, unless there is a commitment.
The gains of the past two decades risk being reversed for an entire generation.
Mr.
President, we are seriously concerned that we are far off track in implementing the SDGs.
We have the tools to accelerate progress on the 2030 agenda and Agenda 2063 with the African specific strategy of UNICEF, but we need to use them more effectively to tackle the root causes of poverty.
Rising inequalities, unsustainable debt, and the growing impact of climate change and disasters, all of which increase children's vulnerabilities.
Of course, current geopolitical tensions are making it even harder to advance peace and development, whether it is in Sudan, DRC, or Kaza.
Still, we must rise above these challenges to ensure children everywhere grow up with safety and dignity.
Mr.
President, any reform should remain fully aligned with the QCPR and the UN development system repositioning resolutions, which emphasize agile coordination, comparative advantage, and country tailored models.
Country program documents should remain the core programmatic and oversight framework, together with the national cooperation frameworks, and any institutional adjustments should not weaken the board's ability to guide, monitor, and to hold the system accountable for country level results.
As we move forward with the UN eight initiative, we will soon receive an update on the system wide reform process.
From the African perspective, there is no doubt that the UN must evolve.
It has to modernize and adapt to the realities of today's world.
But we also want to emphasize that any reform must be inclusive, fair, and responsive to the very different circumstances and priorities of all member states.
For us in the Africa region, the real measure of success will be simple, a UN is that delivers more impact where it matters most.
That means a stronger presence in the field, better alignment with national priorities and policies, financing that is both sustainable and predictable, and concrete results that make a difference in children's lives.
In this regard, we recognize and welcome the steps so far taken by UNICEF to adapt to the new realities.
But I'm sorry.
I thank distinguished representative of Eritrea and now I give a floor to Dominican Republic.
President, the Dominican Republic is grateful to the Executive Director for her final report on the strategic plan.
Through 2025.
As a small island developing state in the Caribbean, we wish to focus on the challenges that most affect us.
The report reminds us that four out of every five children in the world is facing grave climate threats every years for sids like ours.
This is not a distant threat.
A natural disaster doesn't provide warning before it paralyzes a health center for weeks or leaves an entire population without water.
This is why we must protect children in our national climate action plans, but let us be frank.
Climate financing exists, but the procedures to access them continue to be very complex, so complex that small countries are left outside.
We need support not only for the plans, but also for the procedures to help us access an overly complex system.
The social protection systems that react quickly in the face of a crisis are necessary.
And we applaud progress in this direction.
The Dominican Republic has been a firm defender of South South cooperation in our region.
The exchange of experiences between countries of Caribbean and Latin America is fundamental.
There are practices that work and we have a great deal to learn from others and also much to share.
Allow me to mention a concrete example.
In the Dominican Republic, we have together within UNICEF support implemented our national policy compass for basic education that covers all of the 22 educational districts in the country.
This has led to consistent results in literacy and numeracy.
We're interested in sharing these experiences with neighbors and also to learn from their experiences.
The we are learning about trends and the fall in resources endangers the gains that we have made.
We are facing a major paradox.
We are classified based on our income, but on a daily basis, we continue to combat significant childhood poverty.
Predictable and flexible funding is a necessary condition in order to plan and take action and this is why we support the call of the executive director to build balance to financial architecture that combines basic resources, thematic resources, and jointly held funds across agencies.
The report also highlights that mental health needs are growing.
People have not waited in the Dominican Republic.
They have taken the initiative creating tools.
The speakers microne has been cut off.
Excuse me.
I thank our distinguished representative of the Dominican Republic and I give the floor to the next speaker, who is Aman.
Sziden Wassily Del Ab.
President, distinguished delegates, the Sultan of Oman commend the bureau and the board for this session and we express our gratitude to the Executive Director and staff of UNICEF for their tireless efforts aimed at protecting the rights of children in the four corners of the globe and notably following the growing humanitarian challenges that are affecting the lives of millions of children.
President, the Sultanate of Oman is proud to be a strategic, a longstanding strategic partner of UNICEF.
This partnership entered a new phase with the implementation of our national program in 2022 through 2030.
The first few months of 2026 have seen the launch of a program for analysis for the impact of climate change on children in Oman.
We've also launched the national evaluation for assessing education that has been in place since 2012.
Furthermore, together with UNICEF, we have consolidated our pioneering experience for the elimination of transmissible from mother to infant and we look forward to broadening this to a regional initiative.
We've also developed our national system for social protections, also in cooperation with UNICEF and the Social Protection Fund.
A integrated system for financial transfers and social and healthcare and education services.
Efforts are continuing to promote the protection of children and to ensure childhood well being.
We have strategies to combat bullying and violence in schools.
The Sultan of Oman reaffirms its tireless support for UNICEF and its noble humanitarian mission.
We are committed to working with all international partners to ensure a prosperous future for children all over the world.
I thank you.
Representative for Oman, next speaker is India.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
India, thanks the Madam Executive Director for the presentation of the annual report for 2025 and appreciates UNIC continued efforts in advancing the rights and well being of children under challenging global circumstances.
We note the significant achievements recorded under the strategic plan 22 25, particularly in immunization, nutrition, education, child protection, social protection and climate resilience, despite the adverse impact of conflicts, climate related disasters, and declining development assistance.
Mr.
President, India attaches importance to the ongoing discussions under UN AT and we note that under the UN AT Initiative, UNICEF is working with other UN entities on the new Humanitarian compact to deliver faster, more efficiently, and coherently the humanitarian assistance that it delivers.
We would like to offer the following points on issues emanating from UN AT discussions.
First, any proposals relating to regional reset, reconfiguration of UN country teams or recalibration of the resident coordinator system must fully respect the principle of national ownership.
Second, country program documents developed in consultation with national authorities and approved by executive boards remain the primary instruments for identifying and implementing program priorities.
Reform efforts should not dilute, bypass, or undermine their role.
Third, decisions regarding the presence, configuration, or restructuring of human country teams should be guided by specific needs, priorities, and development objectives of host countries and should strengthen support for national development strategies.
Fourth, financing arrangements for the resident coordinator system should not be altered in ways that adversely affect the resources, operational capabilities, or mandates of agencies funds and programs.
Any proposal involving pool funding from agency's core resources should be approached with caution.
Fifth, reforms must not diminish the prerogative of national governments to determine and pursue their own development pathways and priorities.
Finally, the mandates, authority, and operational independence of agencies funds and programs must remain fully protected.
System wide coherence should not come at the expense of agency specific mandates or executive board oversight.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank a distinguished representative of India.
Next speaker on my list is Luxembourg.
Thank you very much, Mr.
President.
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the 70 members of the group of Friends of Children and the Sustainable Development Goals.
At the outset, we thank Executive Director Katherine Russell for her leadership and for presenting the annual report for 2025.
We also express our deep appreciation to UNICEF staff around the world who continue to work tirelessly to advance the rights and well being of children.
Allow me to quote Francisco, a 16-year-old climate activist and human rights defender from Colombia, who addressed the group of friends of children and the SDGs last month.
I quote, We need to put children at the center and give them a seat at the table to speak and express their needs and demands.
His message was simple yet profound.
Our responsibility is to protect the rights of children and ensure that their voices are heard and reflected in the decisions that will shape their lives.
As we mark Unicef's 80th anniversary later this year, Francisco's message serves as a reminder of why UNIC mandate remains as relevant today as it was eight decades ago.
For 80 years, UNICEF has stood for what effective multilateral cooperation can achieve across generations, it has helped save lives, expand opportunity, strengthen national systems, and uphold the rights and dignity of children working for and with children.
UNICEF has been far more than a development partner.
It has been a trusted ally in strengthening national capacities, responding to crises, and ensuring that children remain at the center of public policy and investment.
Yet UNICEF's anniversary comes at a moment of profound global uncertainty.
Around the world, children are facing the consequences of escalating conflicts, displacement, climate related shocks, deepening inequalities, persistent poverty, and emerging technological risks.
At the same time, the multilateral system is confronting one of its most challenging financing environments in recent memory.
Madam Executive Director, you highlighted some of the key figures in that respect.
Declining levels of official development assistance, growing fiscal pressures, and widening gaps between needs and available resources are placing significant strain on institutions tasked with delivering for children.
Behind every reduction in resources are children at risk of losing access to critical social services during a time when they need the international community the most.
Therefore, our collective commitment must not waver.
For the group of friends, UNICEF at 80 and UN 80 are deeply interconnected.
Both provide an opportunity to reaffirm the value of multilateral cooperation and to consider how the UN development system can be strengthened to better serve current and future generations.
Both challenge us to ensure that our institutions remain efficient and effective.
The decisions taken under UN AT will influence how effectively the UN can support countries in delivering on their national priorities.
For our group, one principle must remain clear a stronger United Nations must be stronger for children.
In this regard, as discussions on UN AT move forward, the group of friends would appreciate regular updates on UNICEf's role in the various work packages.
Mr.
President, as member states consider reforms and efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of the UN system, it is essential that we preserve and reinforce the capacities that have consistently delivered impact for children over the past 80 years.
That is, whether responding to humanitarian emergencies, supporting national systems, bolstering social protection, advancing children's rights, or helping to accelerate progress towards SDGs, we must ensure that the system remains equipped to reach every child.
The group of friends therefore reaffirms its unwavering support for UNICEF and its mandate.
We remain committed to championing children's rights and well being across intergovernmental processes and to ensuring that children's perspectives and priorities remain visible.
The decisions we'll make today will shape the world for our children.
I thank a distinguished representative of Luxembourg.
Next speaker is Georgia.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Madam Executive Director, dear colleagues, first, I would like to thank the Executive Director for the annual report which provides a comprehensive overview of UNICEF important work and achievements in 2025.
We greatly appreciate the dedication and leadership of the UNICEF management and above all, wish to recognize the invaluable contribution of UNICEF staff around the world, whose tireless efforts and commitment continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, often in the most challenging circumstances.
UNICEF remains one of the Georgia's main reliable partners to ensure that the most vulnerable groups of society, children are provided with a safe, caring and friendly environment.
Georgia's strategic vision and national priorities are in complete alignment with the activities outlined in UNICEF annual National Work Plan.
This synergy is particularly evident in joint efforts aimed at mitigating child poverty, combating violence against children, and implementing the Convention on the right of a child.
In this effort, UNICEF has provided valuable technical support to Georgia and played an important role in advancing innovative and evidence based approaches.
We also recognize that the health and well being of children extend beyond physical health alone.
Georgia is strengthening efforts to promote child and adolescent mental health and psychological well being with UNICEF providing valuable support in developing service models tailored to the needs of young people.
UNICEF's consistent support has helped strengthen Georgia's education system, making it child oriented and inclusive.
Cooperation with UNICEF is viewed as an integral complement to the government's broader reform efforts to advance the objectives of Georgia's general education reform agenda.
At the same time, we acknowledge the increasing impact of climate change and environmental risks on children's health.
Protecting children from environmental hazards and building climate resilient health systems will remain important priorities for my country.
Georgia remains firmly committed to working with UNICEF and all partners to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, develop their full potential, and contribute to the healthier and more prosperous future for all.
I thank you.
Thank our distinguished representative of Georgia.
Next speaker is Guatemala.
Presiden President, Executive Director, Guatemala is grateful for the presentation of the Executive Director's annual report.
We recognize UNICEF's leadership in the promotion protection of the rights of children and adolescents in an increasingly complex international context.
The report reminds us that the progress that we have achieved for children is not irreversible.
We note with concern that in a context of unprecedented humanitarian need, the drop in ODA, official development assistance, and financial constraints are jeopardizing the gains achieved over decades by the international community.
Investing in children is strategic for sustainable development, resilience, and peace.
We are also concerned that one in five children live in or have fled conflict.
Meanwhile, grave violations against children are continuing to increase.
This reality requires a redoubling of collective effort to protect children, especially those children in situations of greatest vulnerability.
Against this backdrop, Guatemala considers it essential to preserve UNICEF's normative and operational mandate.
We must ensure the organization has predictable and sustainable resources in order to effectively carry out its mandate.
The protection of children's rights must remain at the heart of multilateral action and development priorities.
Guatemala recognizes the significant results achieved by UNICEF in areas such as childhood nutrition, immunization, and child poverty reduction.
Nevertheless, we note that challenges persist in areas such as mental health and psychosocial health and the prevention of harmful practices that affect children.
This reaffirms the need for sustained investments and comprehensive responses that are focused on the rights of the child.
We underscore the importance of preserving independence, integrity, and capacity in UNICEF's monitoring, evaluation, and ethics functions.
These are all essential elements for building trust in the multilateral system and ensuring transparent, effective, and results oriented management.
As a middle income country, Guatemala reiterates the importance of the next strategic plan, 2026 through 2029, continuing to respond to the specific realities and needs and we particularly appreciate UNICEF support to Guatemalaan priority areas such as comprehensive early childhood development, reduction of chronic malnutrition, maternal and child health, quality education and strengthening child protection systems.
Guatemala reiterates its willingness to continue working closely with UNICEF as we develop the next country program in order to ensure its alignment with our national priorities and with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
I thank you.
I thank our distinguished representative of Guatemala.
Next speaker is Denmark.
Mr.
President, Madam Executive Director and colleagues, let me begin by congratulating UNICEF on the results achieved in 2025 and across the full strategic plan period 2022-2025.
In a deeply challenging period, UNICEF has continued to deliver at scale on its dual mandate.
All this at a time when children in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Haiti, Yemen, and many other countries continue to pay the highest price.
Denmark is proud to have contributed through longstanding, predictable, and flexible support, including core funding.
As a member of the Security Council, we particularly appreciate your work in crisis response and early recovery, including efforts to protect children, sustain essential services, and strengthen national and local systems in conflict affected and fragile settings.
We also welcome UNICEF's continued works to uphold children's rights where they're under pressure.
This normative role remains essential to ensure that no child is left behind.
UNICEF has now begun implementation of the new strategic plan for 2026 to 2029.
Denmark supports its sharper focus on five impact results.
We have equally high expectations for this new plan.
We encourage UNICEF to maintain a strong focus on measurable results, localization, system strengthening, gender equality, and climate resilience.
Cooperation with international financial institutions and the private sector is key for scaling and for achieving sustainable impact on children.
Mr.
President, Madam Executive Director, as we've heard from many this morning, 2026, unfortunately, continues to unfold amid geopolitical uncertainty and a shrinking fragmented ODA landscape, combined with pressure on the multilateral system as well as vulnerable communities.
Denmark remains committed to the UN and effective multilateralism, including through our 0.7 ODA commitment and increased core contribution to UNICEF.
We expect UNICEF and all UN development system partners to engage proactively and to be fully committed to implement all relevant UN AD work packages.
Similarly, regarding the humanitarian reset, we expect full support from UNICEF to ERC Fletcher's reform initiatives to streamline the AID architecture, increase the efficiency of lifesaving operations, and decentralized authority to local responders.
The end goal should be a more unified UN approach at the country level to improve local ownership, efficiency, and sustainable impact in a situation with strain resources available.
In closing, Denmark commends UNICEF for its achievements today and in the past 80 years and continued commitment to deliver for every child everywhere.
I thank you.
I our distinguished representative of Denmark.
Next speaker is Canada.
Mr.
President, Madam Executive Director, distinguished colleagues, Canada thanks UNICEF for the presentation of the 2025 annual report and welcomes the results achieved in an increasingly complex and constrained operating environment.
We commend the dedication of UNICEF staff and partners, particularly in crisis settings, whose efforts deliver for children in the most challenging conditions.
In this context, Canada welcomes UNICEF's future focus initiative and supports efforts to strengthen efficiency, focus resources on areas of greatest impact, particularly in health, nutrition, and emergency responses, and align operations with financial realities while safeguarding critical investments that deliver results for children.
Canada remains a strong supporter of the United Nations Development System reform, including the UN AD Initiative.
We value a coherent, country focused UN system operating under the leadership of resident coordinators and guided by UN sustainable development cooperation frameworks.
We encourage UNICEF to continue demonstrating how its comparative strengths contribute to collective results and stronger system wide accountability.
As reforms advance, accountability and institutional integrity must remain paramount.
Independent oversight functions, including evaluation, audit, investigations, and ethics, are essential and must remain adequately resourced and operationally independent.
Canada is aware of the financial pressures facing UNICEF and the multilateral system in general and welcomes UNICEF's efforts to diversify its resources through national committees, as well as its collaboration with international financing institutions and innovative financing.
As funding models evolve, it will be important to protect the organization's core functions, maintain balanced programming, and preserve the flexibility needed to respond to emerging needs.
Canada remains committed to providing predictable and flexible core contributions.
A locally demand humans ins.
Humanitarian aids are increasing, so we underscore the need to maintain strategic investments and resilience, in particular, in terms of protection, nutrition, and education of children.
We also emphasize the importance of gender equality.
As an engine for sustainable results while adding that the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse must remain a distinct institutional priority, and it should be given adequate resources, and it should not be a simple exercise in conformity.
In closing, Canada reaffirms its commitment to a UNICEF that is strong, effective, and responsible, Together with Australia, we're pleased with the effort we're involved in, and this is an important opportunity to step up common action.
The microphone has been cut off.
Merci Mercy.
Thank you.
I thank distinguished Representative of Canada.
Before I give a floor to next speaker, I would like to invite ID Russell to respond to statements made so far.
You have a floor.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
As always, this is always my favorite part of the board meeting because I get to hear directly from you about what's on your mind, what your concerns are.
Just a huge thank you to everyone for taking this seriously and for sharing your thoughts.
I will do my best here.
I try to take notes here and there obviously is a lot of overlap in what many of you are asking, but just try to go through fairly quickly.
To Iceland, first of all, I loved my trip there.
It's my first trip to Iceland.
I would encourage anyone who hasn't been there to go.
It's a very unique place and I really enjoyed it very much.
Huge thank you for that.
I also just want to thank you and others who mentioned the importance of core and flexible funding.
I know you all hear me say it over and over again, but it really is critical to us and to the work that we're trying to do and I think especially when we see these situations where things are developing quickly, Ebola is such a good example of that where we can move fast and get supplies and staff into these areas, it really is critical.
Just a huge thank you to everyone who recognizes the importance of that.
I understand everyone is under financial stress and strain in their own countries and making these choices is not always easy.
But for us, it represents real trust in what we're doing and why we need the course.
Just a huge thank you for that.
I take your point and totally agree on the importance of the cooperation framework.
UNICEF has made the point we closely and really diligently align our country program documents with the cooperation framework.
I think that is indispensable to our work.
I thank all of you for the recognition of the importance of the country program documents.
I think particularly the places where we do country programming, understand how critical those documents are to us because we negotiate them carefully with the governments.
It represents our shared understanding and commitment to the work that we're doing and we are just very grateful to everyone for recognizing how important those are.
Of course, the CPDs and the cooperation framework are complementary and we see them as mutually reinforcing for each other.
Eritrea, again, thank you for mentioning CORE.
Very much appreciate that and bringing the perspective.
I think you were the first to bring the perspective of the program countries.
I think from our perspective, I think the key here is recognizing national priorities and coming together to think about what the results for children should be, can be, must be, and I think that is really reflected in the agreements that we come to on behalf of both organizations.
For the Dominican Republic, First, I appreciate you mentioning the impact of climate change.
We've talked about this before.
UNICEF did a report now, I think 2.5 years ago saying that 1 billion children, almost half the children in the world live in countries that are extremely high risk of climate change.
I think that coupled with the point that you mentioned, which is that so much of the financing, I think we estimate about 2.4% of climate financing is child responsive.
I think there is a real disconnect between the impact on children.
As you were mentioning, their schools and the services that they rely on are very vulnerable to climate and I think really thinking about how we can make sure that these responses that are being developed are taking into account the importance of making sure that their children are protected is critical from our perspective.
Thank you also for mentioning mental health, several of you mentioned that.
I mean, there are so many things that keep me up at night, but really the rising numbers of children who are facing mental health challenges in almost every country in the world is something of great concern to us and we're thinking hard about how we can be as helpful in that space as we possibly can.
Oman, thank you for mentioning the Country program.
As I said, you raise a couple of very important issues, education, social protection, violence in schools.
I think we endeavor to deal with all of those challenges, which is not easy and really appreciate the commitment of the government to do that as well.
For India, again, this mentioning of the importance of UN 80 reform that is actually having an impact on children is really the critical issue for us.
Nobody wants reform for the sake of reform.
We want reform that makes us better, that makes the system better, that makes it more possible for us to respond to children in a more effective way.
And I think that the mention of national ownership is absolutely critical.
I think that without that, there's no work that can get done.
Ultimately, I've said this 1,000 times, but we are really trying to help build systems in countries so that they can deal with these challenges themselves.
I think national ownership is absolutely critical to that.
To Luxembourg, many points you raised here and I just want to say at the outset, a huge thank you to the group of friends.
I think we have the best group of friends.
I didn't realize when I first got here that there are so many different groups of friends.
But I think the group of friends of children in UNICEF is really amazing and come to us with great ideas and are very supportive of the work we do.
I want to thank you and others for mentioning the importance of UNICEF staff.
Last year was a rough year for our staff and there's no getting around that.
We had to make very unfortunate cuts.
We had to move people.
It was just very disruptive and very unsettling for people whose whole commitment in life is to try to help children and they very much want to be a part of the USF family and making some of those choices was very difficult.
So thank you to all of you who recognize how critical the staff is to our work, how committed they are, and how tough it was to go through that last year.
I think that the other point that I wanted to respond to Luxembourg is that I think, again, this idea that any reforms in UNA have to really make the system stronger for children.
That is our touchstone.
It's what's keeping us really aligned and how we think about the reforms that we're supporting.
Obviously, UNICEF as one of the biggest agencies is a critical partner in reform.
I think that we are and Guy Rr said this to you when we were here, we are you know, an incredibly strong partner in reform.
We are doing our best to be as helpful as we can in supply chains and other elements, and I think we are really, in my view, making a lot of constructive contributions.
I think, again, all animated, motivated by this idea of how does it help the system be better at delivering on our mission to help children? I think that is the core for us.
The colleague from Georgia, thank you for your comments.
Excuse me.
I think I I wanted to thank you for acknowledging the work across several sectors, some of which especially this issue against violence against children, it's a place where You know, there's so many I worry about, but I do worry about that a lot and the different ways that children suffer violence in their communities, in their homes, and I think we are looking hard at how we can be as supportive as possible.
I'm glad that we're doing that in Georgia and again on the mental health front, I think those are places where we really need to keep the attention of the international community and think about how we can be more supportive to countries.
To Guatemala, I thought the point you made about progress is not irreversible is really an important point and we think about that.
We have and we tried to outline some of the progress we've made, but we are really protecting that as jealously as we can really because we know that it's easy for that to get reversed.
I know that there are financial pressures on everyone.
I recognize that But I also know that there is a lot of money floating around in the world.
We make decisions every day about what's important to us and that's countries, that's individual donors, it's a private sector.
It seems to me, and I think to everyone at UNICEF, that children have to be at the top of that list because if we don't invest in them, if they're not educated and healthy, it just bodes very ill for the countries where they live and for the world as a whole, because I think children you know, they grow up to be adults and if they're not healthy and not educated, then they become a burden and they become more susceptible to things like extremism and that's something that everyone needs to worry about.
Just a huge thank you for reminding us about that.
To Denmark, I really appreciate the comments again on COR.
I just um have to emphasize how critical that resource is for us and how it continues to diminish in terms of the overall package of resources that we get.
That's just challenging.
I understand it's not easy in your countries, but I would ask you please to continue to advocate for core resources for us.
I think as I said, it demonstrates trust in us that we use it for the places that really need it the most.
I would think It's important that I think 50% of the core resources go to sub Saharan Africa.
There are places that need those resources and need them quickly, need them flexibly and just want to stress that as much as humanly possible.
I also appreciate your points on localization.
UNICEF takes that seriously.
We always have, and I think it is a lot of our resources, 40% go to national CSOs, a huge percentage go to national governments, local governments.
Because again, what we're trying to do is build capacity in those places to deal with these challenges themselves.
We take that seriously.
For us, localization is a cornerstone.
That's not to say there aren't important roles that multilateral institutions play, they do, they can bring expertise and an innovative finance and all sorts of things to the table.
I think again, the key here is it has to be a really balanced composition of resources that we get, some core, some pooled, some allocated for specific things.
That is the way the system works the best.
If one is out of sync, I think that that's not helpful to anybody.
To Canada, again, thank you again for the comments on the staff.
I take that to heart and very much appreciate it.
Just so you know, I think I've told you all this before.
We send a note to the staff after the board meeting saying how many countries have mentioned the importance of the staff and it means a lot because people are working in very difficult circumstances, difficult countries.
I think when they know that it's not just us who recognizes that, but the donors and people who watch UNICEF, it means a lot to people, so just a huge thank you for that.
The comment about FFI, we took that very seriously and we did our best in very difficult circumstances to reduce in a responsible way, to try our best to preserve as much as we could in the field on the ground because that's where we think the services are most important.
That meant that the bulk of cuts took place at headquarters and in the regional offices and that was painful.
But we're doing our best.
I think I feel good about where we are.
But I can't say that it wasn't a difficult situation.
Thank you for that.
Just because you mentioned PSEA and I do want to say that is an absolute top priority for us.
I've said this before to the board, but I think for UNICEF in particular, we have an obligation to make sure that children are protected and we take that very seriously.
I think the reason that we have broad support among countries, the private sector is because entities trust us and we take that seriously.
We understand that trust and we understand it's so important when you're dealing with children.
Just a thank you for that and thank you for that commitment to that issue.
Thanks.
Sorry.
I thank Ida Russell for her remarks.
Let's continue with national statements.
Next speaker on my list is Sweden.
Tanan, thank you, Mr.
President, Executive Director and the whole UNICEF team.
Children are paying an enormous price for the negative trends in today's global context.
Ongoing conflicts, growing humanitarian needs, economic pressures, shrinking fiscal space, and the pushback against human rights are affecting children everywhere.
In such a challenging environment, UNICEF's mandate grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is fundamental.
Sweden emphasized the importance of UNICEF's normative role in partner countries and in multilateral fora, particularly in relation to gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the protection of children against violence and harmful practices.
The centrality of protection is a key principle to safeguard in humanitarian interventions.
We appreciate the clarity of UNICEF's strategic plan on all these issues.
Setting firm priorities, increasing cost efficiency and effectiveness, and securing new sources of financing are imperative.
Pursuing innovation in close partnership with the private sector is also key to deliver results with limited resources.
We would like to stress the importance of core funding for UNICEF's ability to deliver on its mandate, protecting the rights of children everywhere with a priority given to those most in need.
While Sweden maintains a high level of core funding, the overall decline in such funding is therefore deeply concerning.
This trend must be reversed.
We encourage donors to consider increasing their flexible contributions and UNICEF to consider strengthening transparency and incentives for core funding, including well deserved recognition and visibility also at country level.
Finally, Sweden strongly supports the Secretary-General UN 80 initiative and the swift implementation of reform measures that have already been agreed.
We underlined the importance of UNICEF's proactive and constructive engagement in this process to drive reform, efficiency, and coherence across the UN system.
In this regard, we would like to emphasize that the RC, HC, should be the primary, though not the only interlocutor for partners to ensure continued alignment with an implementation of the cooperation framework at country level.
We also firmly support the Secretary-General recommendation that entity specific programming tools follow the design of the cooperation framework.
Entity presence should be based on needs identified therein and on available resources.
Resources must prioritize their delivery and technical expertise.
Closing, Sweden recognizes organization adjustment that I think distinguished representative of Sweden.
Next speaker is Slovenia.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Madam Executive Director, colleagues.
At the outset, I would like to thank Madam Executive Director for the detailed and insightful annual report.
Slovenia highly values UNICEF's role in delivering lifesaving assistance to children affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and other humanitarian emergencies.
As the number of children living in crisis situations continues to grow, UNICEF remains an indispensable partner in providing protection, healthcare, education, and other essential services even in the most difficult circumstances.
In times of constrained resources, it is particularly important that available funding is used efficiently and transparently with a strong focus on achieving measurable results for children.
Slovia welcomes UNICEF's efforts to strengthen accountability, improve performance, and ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.
We also support UNICEF's continued efforts to prevent and address sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Maintaining the highest standards of integrity, safeguarding and accountability is essential for preserving trust in the organization and protecting vulnerable populations.
As humanitarian crisis become increasingly protracted and complex, it is crucial that we bridge humanitarian and development approaches to ensure that immediate assistance contributes to longer term recovery, resilience, and sustainable development.
The 2026 2029 strategic plan provides a framework for accelerating progress towards achieving the child related sustainable development goals with a strong focus on reaching the most vulnerable children.
Slovenia welcomes the plan's emphasis on strengthening local capacities, supporting national institutions, and fostering locally led solutions for the benefit of children.
By advancing localization, UNICEF can deliver solutions that are more effective, context specific, and sustainable, while also reinforcing national ownership and accountability.
In addition to localization, anticipatory action is essential for an effective response to today's risks and challenges.
Slovenia supports UNICEF's cooperation with governments and partners to develop risk analysis, forecasting, and early warning systems.
Taking action before a crisis escalates is less costly and achieves greater impact.
In closing, Slovenia is committed to rules based multilateral cooperation in order to protect children and ensure their well being.
For over 80 years, UNICEF has been a cornerstone of multilateral action, bringing together governments, communities, and civil society to uphold the obligations enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In a rapidly changing landscape, Slovenia remains a steadfast supporter of Unicef mission.
I thank you.
Thank you, distinguished representative of Slovenia.
Next speaker on my list is China.
President, China thanks Executive Director Russell for her report.
At present, multiple factors, including armed conflicts, disasters, diseases, and climate change pose severe challenges to the survival and development of children worldwide.
UNICEF's role in advancing child development and humanitarian work has become even more important.
China commends the dedication and contribution of UNICEF personnel around the world.
I'd like to make four points.
First, China recognizes UNICEF's achievements in the previous cycle.
It's important to fully assess the gains, losses, and lessons so as to inform the work of the new cycle and better implement the 2026 2029 strategic plan.
UNICEF should align closely with program countries, focus on the real needs of children and help developing countries achieve the child related 2030 SDGs.
Second, UNICEF has acted swiftly and organized effectively in the humanitarian field, providing critical assistance to the most vulnerable groups and hopes UNICEF will leverage its dual mandate in development and humanitarian fields, share best practices, and promote more efficient and effective delivery.
Third, at a time when the needs of children are growing, funding is being sharply reduced.
This situation is unsustainable.
Developed countries should earnestly fulfill their ODA and humanitarian assistance commitments.
UNICEF should also adopt effective and innovative measures to secure adequate and predictable resources.
Fourth, China supports UNICEF's constructive participation in the UN AD reform.
UNICEF's focus on the future initiative has made clear progress and it's important to safeguard workforce development and delivery capacity.
We support UNICEF in drawing on its strengths and strengthening cooperation with the UN agencies in supply chain optimization, unified services, and data sharing, et cetera, to jointly advance practical reform.
President, China's cooperation with UNICEF spans more than four decades with fruitful results.
We commend the positive outcomes of UNICEF's high level visit to China and is willing to work together to implement the country program and support children's development in China.
China will practice the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and in light of its own realities, carry out trilateral cooperation with UNICEF under frameworks such as the GDI, advanced South South cooperation, and contribute to child development in the global South.
Thank you, President.
I think a distinguished representative of China, and next speaker on my list is Japan.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Japan extends its appreciation to Madam Executive Director for her annual report.
It reminds us starkly that compounding global crisis eroding decades of hard won progress, demanding unyielding collective action.
As we implement strategic plan 2026, 2029, Japan underscores that UNA initiatives must transcend administrative efficiency and focus on empowering field labor capacities to deliver concrete results for children.
Mr.
President, now I'd like to highlight two points.
First, Japan continues to advocate integrated approach based on the concept of human security and HDP nexus.
In protecting human dignity in today's productive crisis, humanitarian assistance is not enough.
We must strengthen the HDP nexus by linking emergency responses with long term investment in health, education, and community systems.
This approach is vital to restoring the dignity of every child, build resilience, and break the cycle of vulnerability.
Japan is making efforts to put this approach into practice in collaboration with the UNICEF.
For instance, in Vietnam, Japan works closely with local governments and UNICEF to strengthen disaster resilience, drawing on Japan's experience in disaster risk reduction.
By enhancing risk information, mariage hazard RE warning systems, and climate change education, this partnership helps build more resilient communities.
Second, public private synergies must serve as a force multipliers and tight fiscal pressures.
This will drive meaningful progress across critical areas, including healthcare and green transformation.
Japan expects USC to actively co create solutions with the private sector utilizing digital technologies, innovative logistics, and market shaping approaches to maximize the impact of activities.
Let me conclude by paying tribute to the extraordinary courage of UNICEF field teams.
UNICEF field teams are persisting under the most complex and difficult environment to protect every child's rights.
Japan remains committed to supporting UNICEF in this vital mission.
I thank you, Mr.
President.
Thank you, distinguished representative of Japan.
Next speaker is El Salvador.
Thank you, President Madam Executive Director.
El Salvador wishes to express its satisfaction with the findings highlighted in the annual report.
We trust that UNICEF will redouble its efforts to make progress in those areas that continue to be challenging and whose operational continuity has already been integrated into the most recent strategic plan adopted by this executive board.
Looking ahead to work on the ground, my delegation wishes to express its appreciation for each of the ongoing initiatives that have been implemented through joint efforts based on our national priorities.
In this way, in the coming months, we will have the technical support of UNICEF going hand in hand with the Central Reserve Bank, the entity in charge of statistics and censuses in our country, and also working with the Ministry of Health in order to carry out the first national survey of early childhood childhood adolescence in El Salvador.
This census is expected to have a territorial scope covering both urban and rural areas.
Another major joint effort is action carried out together with the National Council for early infancy, childhood and adolescence through the Living in the Family Program, which allows families to have the opportunity to temporarily take in a child in accordance with the efforts of the National Protection System.
Madam Executive Director, UNICEF support to our country is not limited to just these efforts I described above, but rather it expands to other areas such as education, health, capacity building, and others.
Under the framework of our country program as it comes to an end and on the eve of the beginning of a new program, we trust the programmatic continuity will be based on our national priorities and will align with the most latent needs across the country.
In light of these future efforts and in the context of the implementation of UN 80, We would call for ensuring that the search for greater efficiencies throughout the organization does not jeopardize the mandate entrusted to UNICEF, rather, it should strengthen the teams on the ground and consolidate the resources that are necessary to achieve the goals set out in the strategic plan and in the country programs as appropriate.
I thank you.
Thank distinguished representative of El Salvador.
I now give a floor to the United States.
Thank you and good morning, Executive Director Russell.
Good to see you.
The United States recognizes that children worldwide continue to bear the heaviest burdens of conflict, instability, disease, and natural disasters.
Because of these pressing global challenges, the United States is committed to ensuring that UNICEF remains a focused and effective organization.
When UNICEF stays focused on its core mandate, it can achieve extraordinary things.
The United States recognizes UNICEF lifesaving work in vaccine delivery, support to 27.8 million out of school children, and its indispensable efforts in water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as lifesaving nutrition for children in need.
We thank UNICEF staff for staying and delivering, often in the most difficult context.
The United States is a proud partner when international organizations deliver strategic, efficient, and measurable results.
Yesterday, the United States announced $218 million in humanitarian and disaster response assistance to UNICEF.
This funding incentivizes a faster, more accountable, and hyper prioritized model of aid.
By directing resources to partners that eliminate bureaucratic waste and streamline nutrition supply chains, we are ensuring American taxpayer dollars deliver measurable impact driven results to advance vital UN reform.
To that end, the United States welcomes UNICEF's internal institutional reform efforts under the Future Forward Initiative and active engagement in the UNAD workstreams.
We further expect UNICEF to cut business class travel, and we all know how much the UN loves business class travel, maximizing resources to where it matters most programmatic operations and their oversight.
We specifically note UNICEF's leadership within the procurement and supply chain effort on UN 80.
Enhancing resource efficiency, cutting waste, and synchronizing global logistics are exactly how the UN system can deliver tangible value.
The United States does not support the 2030 agenda, gender ideology, or DEI narratives that distract from the agency's not only core mandates, mission, but also its value.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, the United States continues to support global Ebola preparedness and response efforts, strengthening surveillance, rapid detection, and health systems resilience in affected regions.
We commend UNICEF efforts to protect children and communities through risk communication, community engagement, infection prevention, contact tracing, essential services for affected people, and protecting frontline health workers.
Thank you.
I thank our distinguished representative of the United States.
Next speaker on my list is Netherlands.
Thank you, Mr.
President, Executive Director, distinguished members of the executive board.
We thank the Executive Director for the 2025 annual report and for her remarks today.
The picture you paint is sobering.
Children are paying the highest price for converging crises, escalating conflicts, climate shocks, deepening inequality, and shrinking budgets.
Sharp reductions in official development assistance combined with record humanitarian needs risk reversing decades of progress in child survival, learning, and protection.
We commend UNICEF's results under the 2022, 2025 strategic plan.
Support to resilient primary care, primary health care and immunization, scaled responses to malnutrition and child wasting, efforts to keep children learning in crisis, strengthen child protection and responses to gender based violence, as well as climate resilient wash.
These achievements are possible mainly because of UNICEF staff.
Their professionalism, courage, and dedication, often in highly insecure and resource constrained environments are the backbone of UNICEF's ability to deliver for children.
Last year was particularly challenging with organizational restructuring and post reductions.
We trust that UNICEF management will continue to demonstrate leadership and prioritize duty of care, staff well being, psychological safety, physical and mental health, and meaningful staff engagement.
The scale of the future focus initiative is unprecedented.
We are concerned about the possible impact the restructuring has on staff as well as unassessed effects and emerging risks.
We therefore stress the importance of transparent communication and of a timely independent evaluation of FFI and ask UNICEF to start formal periodic reporting to the board.
We welcome UNICEF's contributions to UN AT and the humanitarian reset.
In the context of declining resources, we support efforts to increase efficiency and transparency, while underlining, as you have also noted, that no level of efficiency can compensate for insufficient and inflexible funding.
We would appreciate clarification on four points.
First, how would UNICEF ensure that risks from FFI are sufficiently monitored and addressed, including relating to staff welfare? Second, can UNICEF share an update on the changes in its personnel structure following FFI, including an updated organic wrap? I think distinguished representative of Netherlands.
Next speaker is Norway.
Thank you, Mr.
President, Madam Executive Director, Norway thanks UNICEF and its staff for its dedicated leadership and tangible results for children in an increasingly complex global environment.
We commend the achievements highlighted in the annual report, demonstrating UNICEF's ability to deliver at scale across health, education, protection, and even under significant financial constraints.
At the same time, rising needs driven by conflict, climate change, and poverty continue to test the system.
Norway strongly supports the Secretary-General UNAT reform initiative.
We want the United Nations that is fit for purpose, one that delivers measurable impact for people on the ground, grounded in its normative framework efficiently and as one.
The credibility and relevance of our system ultimately depend on results.
We expect ambitious system wide change, adoption of common administrative systems, expanding shared services, and progress on integrated supply chains.
We also expect strengthened coordination under resident coordinators, and accelerated responsible uptake of new technologies, including AI to improve effectiveness.
For Norway, strong governance remains fundamental.
We appreciate UNICEF's attention to this and efforts to maintain robust systems.
Evaluation and audit functions, effective risk management, and measures to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse are essential for accountability and results and must be maintained despite financial constraints.
Continued vigilance to prevent misuse, fraud and corruption is critical to ensure that resources reach children as intended.
Finally, we underline the importance of protecting UNICEF's core mandate, particularly child protection, gender equality, and disability inclusion.
A just world is also a gender equal world.
Norway therefore underscores the importance of safeguarding efforts on gender equality and on sexual and reproductive health and rights as an integral part of UNICEF's work.
Girls and women's rights must remain a clear priority, both in humanitarian response and long term development efforts if we are to achieve lasting results for children.
Thank you.
I think distinguished representative of Norway.
Next speaker is Republic of Korea.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
The Republic of Korea welcomes the Executive Director's comprehensive report and commend UNICEF's continued effort to save children's lives at scale amid protracted crisis and declining resources.
Reaffirming our confidence in UNICEF mission to leave no child behind, I wish to highlight this report.
First, a stronger linkage between humanitarian action and development cooperation is essential.
UNICEF hold a unique double mandate, request UNICEF to pursue a more integrated approach where humanitarian response lays the groundwork for resilience building and longer term development.
This is mostly important in watch and education as well as in linkages across the two sectors.
Ensuring that people who receive humanitarian support do not fall back into crisis again is also a matter of making effective use of resources.
Throughout this work, particular attention to girls and female adverse remains important.
Second, diversifying resource mobilization deserves sustained effort.
UNICA enjoyed the highest recognition and public support of any UN entity in numerous countries, including the RK, an asset worth building on.
As public sector regular resources face growing pressure, expanding engagement through national committees, private sector partners, and IFIs becomes all the more important.
Diverse evaluation, transparency and accountability measures remain crucial for credibility with the partners.
In a constrained funding environment, strengthening dialogue on the result and visibility of member contributions, including co funding is equally essential to arrest the declining trend.
Third, development cooperation must be judged by the result and impact on the ground and country ownership is central to achieving them.
UNICEF CPD must be country specific and fully aligned with national strategies and priorities.
While preserving UNICEF expertise and mandate for the sake of children, we request stronger colerence within UN City, greater harmonization with other UN entities, and active support for and collaboration with the ICHC.
We also call on UNICEF to implement UN A to reform measures, including integrated supply chain with WFP as concrete step toward expanding field level impact.
Mr.
President, the Republic of Korea was once a recipient of UNICEF activities, a living example of what UNICEF working in education, Russia and beyond can achieve.
As a partner today, we look forward to continued partnership with UNICEF in the shared pursuit to leaving no child behind.
I thank you.
I thank distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea.
Next speaker is Turkey.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
We thank Madam Executive Director, her entire UCF team for their unwavering commitment in responding to the growing humanitarian challenges affecting children worldwide.
We take the floor with a deep sense of duty, reaffirming that Turkey's commitment to UNICEF core values remains unchanged.
In a world increasingly affected by conflicts, inequalities, and humanitarian crisis, UNCf's unique mandate remains as essential as ever.
Therefore, we welcome UCF staff's resilience in these increasingly challenging times.
At the time of groving pressure on the multilateral system, effective international cooperation remains indispensable.
At the same time, national ownership and strong partnership with governments at country level are critical for ensuring sustainable and lasting results for children.
As highlighted in the executive Director's report, funding cuts could lead up to 5.4 million additional preventable deaths among children under the age of five by 2030.
The consequences of such reductions are not abstract, they are measurable, tangible and preventable.
Therefore, ensuring adequate, predictable, and sustainable resources for UNICEF remains of critical importance.
We believe that member states have significant role to play enabling UNICEF to deliver on its mandate.
Turkey continues to provide voluntary contributions to the organization and calls upon all member states with the capacity to do the same.
The protection and promotion of children's rights remain among Turkey's highest priorities.
Preventing all forms of violence and abuse against children is one of our key strategic objectives.
At our nation level, the rights of children are safeguarded under the Children's Protection Law enacted in 2005.
Furthermore, the Child rights Strategy Document and action plan 2023 to 2028 aims to foster a more inclusive society for children while strengthening protective and preventive services.
Mr.
President, as a long standing partner, Turkey stands ready to continue its effective cooperation with UNICEF in advancing the rights, protection, and well being of children worldwide.
Since its launch, Turkey has a staunch supporter of TN eight initiative and commends UNICEF active engagement in ongoing reforms.
At the same time, we reiterate the central governance role of the executive boards in considering and recommending within their permit and any proposed restructuring.
We believe that efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in the use of resources should remain guiding priorities.
We are encouraging SEF to continue contributing actively to system wide reform processes.
I thank you.
Than distinguished representative of Turkey.
Before we move forward with national statements, I would like to invite I Russell to respond to comments and statements and questions made so far.
Thank you.
Excellent.
Well, thank you so much, Mr.
President and you'll forgive me if I start repeating myself.
I'm going to try not to do that.
Many of you have raised the same issues, and I'll try my best to respond to things that have not been addressed before.
But to the colleague from El Salvador, first of all, I really appreciate your point about programmatic continuity and I think that is really critical.
We take that seriously.
Obviously, we're very focused on efficiencies and the rest of it, but that can't jeopardize the critical work that we're doing.
I also just want to highlight the important work that you're doing on early childhood.
I really appreciate that.
There's no question, all the data is so clear that investing in early childhood makes all the difference for children.
So much of their brains are developed by the time they hit four or 5-years-old, getting in early makes a huge difference and I just appreciate your leadership on that issue, so thank you for that.
To the US, I think that we share in this commitment to effectiveness and take it very seriously.
I think we very much want to make sure that I Everything we do stretches every penny, every dollar as far as humanly possible.
The only way we can do that is to make sure that we're being as effective as we can.
That's not always easy to do, but it is a commitment on our part and I think we take that very seriously.
Very much appreciate the support for the humanitarian work that we're doing.
Thank you for that.
Al appreciate the funding that you've given us to address the Ebola challenge.
I think we are concerned about it for sure.
As you said, we do many different pieces of it, but primarily we're trying to make sure that communities understand the risks and getting in and educating communities in very remote places, often dangerous places is not an easy thing to do.
I would just note Netherlands also mentioned this question of taking care of our staff and I'm sure many of you saw this, but we lost a colleague in the DRC a few months ago and it was really just a horrifically painful situation.
She was in her bed at night killed by a drone.
It just highlights how dangerous this work is.
The DRC, I think raises some real challenges in terms of safety, but it's not the only place.
I think again, to all of you who mentioned the bravery and commitment of our staff, I really appreciate it because it's definitely something that keeps all of us worried.
To a colleague from the Netherlands, you started to points out staff welfare and the risk that we fully support that.
This question on the organogram whatever your points three and four, we got cut off, so apologies staff, but we're happy to set up a briefing if that's useful to you to explain exactly how things are progressing.
I think from our perspective, without staff, UNICEF is nothing and without the best staff, we cannot deliver for children.
That is absolute priority for us.
Having said that, last year was really very painful for our staff.
There's no getting around that.
The cuts were hard and You know, I, I said it briefly before, but I'll say it again, which is that people come to UNICEF because they want to be a part of the work to help children.
It's not like you have a job at the 711 and you get fired, which is traumatic and terrible in and of itself, but it's like people identify themselves as UNICEF staff.
Many of them were with us for a very long time.
We did our best and Hannan really led this effort to be as supportive and merciful to staff as we possibly could.
But as Kitty used to say this all the time in these conversations in FFI When you lose your job, it doesn't really make you feel that much better if somebody was nice about it.
You're still losing your job.
I would just say it was a challenging time.
We got through it as best we could and really we're focused on doing what we could for our staff, but very focused on the future and how we can continue to deliver the incredibly difficult mandate that we have that we're grateful for.
But the work is challenging.
We had to at some point, really shift and be very more forward looking and think about how with what we have, we can continue to deliver as much as possible for children.
That's the conundrum of our situation, but we're doing our best.
Norway, you raised many points.
I would say that the governance That is an absolute top priority for me and actually, we have all of the pieces that you all know on fraud and the rest of it, but we're also taking a look at our internal structure to see if we can better organize ourselves around governance issues.
We will brief you on that at some point.
You also raised the point and many others did as well.
I just want to stop on this for a moment on the gender issue.
I You know, many of you know that that was work that I did before I came to UNICEF and from our perspective, we are 100% sure that investing in girls is a smart investment obviously for the girls, but also for their communities and their countries.
We've got to make sure that girls are healthy and protected and educated.
That makes a huge difference.
The returns are extraordinary on investing in girls and so it's a commitment that we have made, we take it very seriously, and I think share that with all of you here.
To the Republic of Korea, thank you, first of all, for your comments about the nexus, we see that as absolutely critical and I think Ted leads the work on humanitarian response.
We're always trying to think about how in the humanitarian context, we talked about planting the seeds for development.
We want to try to help these countries or these areas build capacity so they can take care of children on their own.
That means trying to invest in health systems, water systems, not just trucking in water, but where we can starting to build the systems.
I think we see that as just a top priority and very much appreciate the comments on that.
Also say you mentioned the National Committee.
I was recently in Korea as I was in Japan and in both cases, the national committees are extraordinary there.
It was interesting in Korea to hear that stories about how people, as you said, felt like Korea was helped by UNICEF and now they want to help children around the world.
It's a very powerful narrative and I think your national committee there is amazing.
They have an executive director who's gave me a tour of the place.
It was amazing to see.
If you haven't seen it, I would encourage you to go do that.
To Turkey, again, thank you, your point about national ownership.
Again, we could not agree more.
Also the point about prevention of the violence against children, I think that is absolutely critical from our perspective.
I would say on this question that was raised here about supply chains and the work that UNICEF is doing in that context, I do want to just make the point that it's called the Integrated Supply Chain Initiative.
We are doing it with WFP.
It is absolutely critical.
We're trying to make sure that there are joint procurement that can help shape markets.
We drive a lot of that work.
And shared transportation and warehousing systems, coordinated customs.
All of that is meant to try to make the system more efficient.
Thank you for those of you who mentioned it.
Thanks.
I thank Ida Russell for her valuable remarks.
Let's continue with national statements.
I now give the floor to Germany.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Mr.
President, Madam Executive Director, colleagues.
Germany welcomes the annual report and thanks the Executive Director and UNICEF staff worldwide for their dedication and commitment under exceptionally challenging circumstances.
The report paints a sobering picture.
It underscores the urgency of sustained international engagement and reaffirms UNICEF central role as the leading organization for children.
Germany commends UNICEF for delivering strong results in the final year of the last strategic plan.
At the same time, the report reminds us that progress remains fragile and uneven.
The continued erosion of flexible core resources is of serious concern.
While UNICEF has demonstrated impressive success in mobilizing funding, we recognize that the decline in core contributions threatens the organization's ability to remain agile and responsive to crisis.
Germany also recognizes the considerable efforts undertaken through the future Focus Initiative and strongly supports UNICEF's efforts to ensure that the reform delivers its intended benefits.
UNICEF demonstrates a clear commitment to improving efficiency, streamlining administrative processes, and strengthening organizational agility.
At the same time, reforms of this scale inevitably entail risks and trade offs.
We encourage management to closely monitor the impact on staff well being, institutional knowledge, oversight functions, and overall effectiveness.
To maintain confidence in the reform process, communication with the executive board, should cover both achievements as well as implementation challenges, remaining risks, and lessons learned.
In this regard, we would welcome further information on how UNICEF will identify, monitor, and report such challenges and corrective measures to the executive board.
Looking ahead, Germany firmly supports efforts to build a stronger United Nations development system, including through UN AT reform initiatives.
In this context, we highly value UNICEF's leading operational role in driving UN AT implementation on the ground.
This includes coordinating integrated supply chains with WFP and establishing common back office and shared services with the United Nations partners.
Reform efforts must strengthen result delivery for children, ensure robust governance and oversight, and preserve the operational capacities that underpin UNICEF effectiveness.
At a time when children around the world face an unprecedented convergence of crisis, UNICEF's mandate is more important than ever.
Germany reaffirms its strong support for UNICEF and its indispensable mission.
Thank you.
Thank our distinguished representative of Germany.
Our next speaker is Nigeria.
Executive Director, distinguished members of the executive board, and distinguished delegates.
Nigeria aligns itself with a statement delivered by Eric Tay on behalf of the African group and thanks UNICEF Executive Director for a comprehensive annual report.
We commend UNICEF for its continued commitment to delivering results for children under increasingly complex global circumstances marked by armed conflict, climate related shocks, economic pressures, food insecurity, public health challenges, widening inequalities, and rising geopolitical tensions.
Nigeria remain firmly committed to the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of every child, consistent with the principles and obligations enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the Child, and the Child Rights Act of 203.
Mr.
President, Nigeria underscores the importance of placing national priorities, development frameworks, and country led programs at the center of the implementation of the UNICEF strategic plan.
While global guidance and international support remain indispensable, sustainable and impactful results can only be achieved when intervention continue to align with national development objectives and driven by the needs and priorities identified by member states.
Prioritize child health and nutrition through the expansion of immunization coverage, strengthening of primary health care system, maternal and newborn interventions, and targeted measures to address malnutrition.
Nigeria welcomes the progress recorded under the Education Canal Wait Multi Year resilience Program and commends UNICEF for its continuous support to the government of Nigeria and strengthening access to quality education for vulnerable and conflict affected children across the country.
We must strengthen our collective effort to ensure that no child is left behind as a result of poverty, conflict, disability, and displacement, climate related challenges or persistent inequalities.
In addition, adequate, predictable and sustainable financing remains critical to enabling flexible, timely and effective responses to the needs of children, particularly in fragile and humanitarian settings.
While important gains have been made, many countries remain off track and meeting agreed global commitment.
As we approach 2030, it is imperpressative that we strive to de escalate conflict, address the root causes of poverty, and strengthen global solidarity in support of sustainable development.
Nigeria reaffirms its partnership with UNICEF and wish to commend the executive director and UNICEF staff across the world, particularly those serving in difficult environment for their dedication and service.
I thank you.
I thank our distinguished representative of Nigeria.
Next speaker is Panama.
Thank you, President, Distinguished members of the Executive Board.
It is an honor to address this executive board and all of you on behalf of the Republic of Panama.
Let me express our sincere appreciation to the member states of the trust placed in our country of being elected to this board for the period 2027 through 2029.
We take up this responsibility with humility, but we also do so with the firm decision to contribute actively to the collective efforts for the benefit of children and adolescents all over the world.
This year's annual session provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made, but it is also an opportunity to honestly acknowledge the challenges that still face millions of children.
Despite the progress of recent decades, poverty continues to deprive too many children of critical opportunities to fully realize their potential.
Food insecurity and malnutrition continue to impact their growth, their health, and continues to compromise their future by perpetuating cycles of vulnerability that limit the development of entire communities.
At the same time, armed conflict, humanitarian crises, and forced displacement continue to rob millions of children of their right to live in a safe environment that is conducive to their development.
Behind every statistic is a childhood that has been disrupted, education that has been halted and a future now laden with uncertainty.
However, we cannot ignore these immense challenges, bullying and mental health and emotional well being of children adolescents continue to be affected and this phenomenon transcends the classroom and extends into the digital sphere where cyber bullying can be amplified and lead to lasting consequences.
Technology and social media offer enormous opportunities to educate, connect, and inspire.
But they also require us to redouble our efforts to guarantee safe digital spaces, promoting digital literacy, family accompaniment, and shared responsibility across governments, educational communities, and technology platforms.
In the spirit of our commitment, Panama has gone deeper in its relationship with UNICEF.
We have developed a new country program between Panama and UNICEF for the period of 2027 through 2031.
At the same time, we're extremely proud to have established the new UNICEF Center for Excellence in Panama.
This is a technical facility where we will be coordinating policies aimed at reducing child poverty and aimed at strengthening social protection systems.
I thank you.
Distinguished representative of Panama, next speaker is Republic of Moldova.
Madam Executive Director, Mr.
President, distinguished delegates.
The Republic of Mondoa welcomes the presentation of the Executive Director's annual report for 2025, the update on the integrated results and resource framework of the UNICEF Strategic Plan for 2026 29 period, as well as the report on the implementation of recommendations of a joint inspection unit.
Commend UNICEF for its leadership in advancing the rights and well being of children worldwide, particularly increasingly complex humanitarian, social and economic contexts.
The results presented in the annual report demonstrate the organization's continued commitment to delivering tangible outcomes for children and families while strengthening national systems and partnerships.
For my country, UNICEF remains a trusted and strategic partner in the ongoing reform and strengthening of the child protection system.
Through the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Labor Social Protection, UNICEF provides valuable technical and financial support in key areas that directly contribute to improving the lives of children and families.
Among the most important ongoing initiatives are the development of a national action plan for the implementation of the European Child guarantee, the expansion of professional parental and care services as a family based alternative to institutional care, the establishment of the new Varnas center in the central region of the country and support for social services, support for families for children, which helps prevent family separation and promote child well being.
These interventions are helping Moldova to advance in child rights agenda in line with the Convention of the Rights of the Child and our broader social inclusion and European integration objective.
Looking ahead, we see continued cooperation with UNICEF as essential for the implementation of European child guarantee, the development of specialized services for children in conflict with the law, the further expansion of professional parental care, and creation of a national platform to ensure a meaningful child participation in decision making processes affecting their lives.
In conclusion, the Republic of Moldova expresses appreciation for UNIC Steadfast partnership and affirms its commitment to working closely with UNIC to ensure that every child enjoys protection, opportunity, and the right to try.
I thank you Unicef and I thank you all for your work and care for children worldwide.
Thank you.
Thank a distinguished representative of Moldova.
Next speaker is Montenegro.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
We would like to thank the Executive Director for her statement and for UNICEF continued leadership in advancing the rights and well being of children worldwide.
At a time when children are increasingly affected by conflict, displacement, poverty, climate related challenges, and growing inequalities, UNICEF mandate remains as relevant and necessary as ever.
We therefore welcome the implementation of the strategic plan 2026 29 and focus on equity, resilience, and inclusion.
Montenegro highly values its longstanding partnership with UNICEF that has been our trusted partner in supporting reforms and strengthening institutions that protect and promote the rights of children.
Our cooperation is guided by the country P 2023 27, which is in line with our national priorities and broader sustainable development objectives.
Education remains one of the strongest pillars of our cooperation.
Together with UNICEF and the European Union, Montenegro recently adopted the Education Reform Strategy 2025 2035, setting an ambitious course towards a more inclusive and equitable education system.
Are particularly proud of the progress achieved in inclusive education.
Through sustained efforts and close cooperation with UNICEF, thousands more children with disabilities are today participating in mainstream education that was the case a decade ago.
Continued investments in support services, teacher training, and accessible learning environments remains a priority.
We also greatly appreciate units of contribution to strengthening child protection, supporting early childhood development, and advancing reforms that help ensure every child has an opportunity to thrive.
Mr.
President, as discussions continue on the future effectiveness of the UN system, including within the framework of the UN 80 Initiative, Montenegro believes that units of unique mandate, expertise, and field presence must be preserved and strengthened.
Efforts to improve efficiency coordination should reinforce its capacity to deliver results for children, particularly the most vulnerable.
Despite growing financial pressures to the multilateral system, Montenegro remains committed to supporting UNICEF and its mission.
We will continue to work closely with UNICEF both nationally and through this executive board to ensure that the rights and well being of every child remain at the center of our collective efforts.
Thank you.
Thank you, distinguished representative of Montenegro.
Next speaker is France.
Era.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Madam Executive Director.
UNICEF's work takes place in difficult contexts and sometimes is life threatening and it deserves our respect and our protection.
We congratulate the team for its strong work achieved in 2025 and for implementing the strategic plan for 2022 to 2025, especially in terms of vaccination, access to water and sanitation, and education.
We will stand side by side with UNICEF as it implements its dual mandate.
In 2025, more than one out of five children lived at least 50 kilometers away from an armed conflict.
213 million children require humanitarian aid due to prolonged crises.
These numbers are stark.
The France is working with UNICEF to address these crises.
In 2024, we helped finance humanitarian crises in the Great Lakes region in Gaza and in Ukraine.
We'll continue to support in 2026 with a particular focus on fighting severe violations against children in conflict.
And we will continue in 2027, which will mark the 20th anniversary of the principles and commitments of Paris.
Our fellow citizens are also supporting the work of UNICEF on a daily basis through their donations.
They are showing their trust in the agency.
The French UNICEF Committee is one of the major financial partners of the agency.
UNICEF demonstrates every year its capacity to mobilize to accompany host countries to address contemporary challenges.
Since the sounding of the call to action to defend the rights of children in the digital environment in 2021, France and UNICEF have shared a common vision.
The protection of children online must be a priority.
We want to promote digital environment that is safer for minors given the proliferation of new technologies such as AI.
Turning to the strategic plan and UN 80, the humanitarian reset.
These are three priority areas.
He France counts on UNICEF and we will support them.
These reforms are a unique opportunity to strengthen the efficacy and legitimacy of the multilateral system while ensuring the concrete impact of the United Nations on the ground.
We hail the efforts already undertaken by UNICEF to strengthen its budget transparency, implement common services, optimize spending and teams and bolster its technical expertise.
The contribution of UNICEF to the discussion underway on the streamlining the humanitarian supply chain is also key.
Madam Executive Director, every age is gauged by how it treats its children.
Rest assured, microphone is cut off.
Representative of France, next speaker is Cuba.
Thank you, President, President, Distinguished Executive Director of UNICEF, Madam Catherine Russell, distinguished delegations.
We are grateful for the exhaustive presentation by the Executive Director and their work in promotion and defense of the rights of children and their work to ensure the full development.
We are fully in support of UNICEF's work, especially ahead of the in light of the growing threat, the growing inequality and the growing poverty.
This requires a commitment from the international community to ensure sufficient, flexible, and predictable financing for the work of UNICEF.
We highlight the importance of preserving the mandate and scope of UNICEF, especially in the context of the UN 80 initiative.
In this regard, we value the efforts of the fund to optimize the value for money without compromising the quality of services provided for children, which is the fundamental premise for leaving no one behind.
UNICEF collaboration with Cuba has made it possible to strengthen basic services for the protection of children across the country.
Amongst other major issues, it has contributed with equipment and training for obstetrical services and neonatal services and ensuring water and sanitation and hygiene wash management.
The support of UNICEF to Cuba has been essential at all times, and this is deserving of our thanks.
UNICEF presence on the ground has nevertheless, together with the children themselves suffered the impact of the US blockade.
This has now increased to unprecedented levels with the energy siege and other measures.
In addition to the economic war, there is a cognitive war together with constant military threats.
The child mortality rate has gone from 4.7 in 2018 to 9.2 children for 1,000 live births in 2025.
This represents an increase of 1140 8% in seven years and the number of children suffering due to lack of medicines has also increased significantly.
Many children are waiting for surgery due to a lack of medical supplies and all of these embargoes are contributing to the limited functioning of our Hospitals The blockade, however, is continuing with impunity and it continues to kill.
For as long as this continues, we will work to ensure the protection of our children.
I thank you.
I thank our distinguished representative of Cuba.
Next speaker on my list is Switzerland.
Monie President Madam Chair Madam Executive Director, we thank Executive Director Russell for her comprehensive report, and we commend UNICEF for its steadfast commitment to children's rights.
We thank all UNICEF staff members worldwide for their remarkable dedication in delivering for every child.
First, we reiterate our strong support for UNICEF's normative mandate, anchored in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In times of growing complexity and uncertainty, renewed and systematic engagement across the humanitarian development nexus is paramount to sustain basic services, protect development gains and reduce humanitarian needs.
Secondly, we call on UNICEF to uphold its child protection mandate and to remain committed to the centrality of protection in all its interventions.
In view of the surge in grave violations against children, It is crucial for UNICEF to have adequate resources for monitoring and reporting these violations, as well as for prevention and response efforts.
Third, Switzerland is a strong supporter of the UN development system reform and of the objectives of UN 80 and the humanitarian reset.
We are committed to advancing impact, coherence, and efficiency at country level.
UNICEF is central here.
In this regard, we welcome the inclusion of common QCPR indicators in the updated Integrated Results and Resources Framework 2026 to 2029.
What's more, we commend UNICEF for its leadership role in the integrated supply chain.
Fourth, we call upon UNICEF to ensure its country program documents are derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation frameworks, and its country presence must be tailored to national contexts, comparative advantage, and the needs identified in the cooperation framework in consultation with RCs and host governments.
Finally, Switzerland remains committed to supporting UNICEF with predictable, flexible, and multi year funding, and we call upon all member states to follow suit.
It is a shared responsibility to uphold the rights of all children invest in sustainable development and to ensure that no child is left behind.
Thank you.
Thank distinguished representative of Switzerland.
At this point, I invite Ida Russell to respond to statements made so far.
Thank you.
Okay.
Well, this is going to be a test of my ability to keep things organized because I realized I missed a whole page of comments.
I'm going to go back and do those first and then I'll come back.
First, to the colleagues from Sweden, I very much appreciate the comments about the private sector and the importance of the private sector.
That is a huge priority for us, as you know, we work with the private sector through our national committees, for the most part, the national committees are fantastic.
And in fact, Sweden has a really fantastic national committee and the head of that is in charge of our Leadership role on the National Committee panel.
I'm not getting that name right, but Purnellas here and she's fantastic, so a huge thank you to Sweden.
I think we see that the private sector as a critical component.
We make the point always that the private sector cannot take the place of government support, but they are a huge and very well respected and very important piece of the puzzle here.
In addition to mobilizing resources, they also do advocacy in the countries where they work and that is hugely helpful to our mission and to our support around the world.
Huge thank you for that.
And to the colleague from Slovenia, you made many good points about transparency and accountability, but I just wanted to focus a little bit on the point you made about the nexus and others have made that as well.
I would just refer to all of you to say that we consider that absolutely critical to our work.
We do a lot of work, as you all know in humanitarian settings, but really trying to build the seeds of peace and plant the seeds of peace is critical to the work.
I think having the dual mandate of development and humanitarian gives us a unique opportunity and also a unique responsibility to really think about that in the context of all of our work.
Huge thank you for that.
To the colleague from China, thank you very much, excuse me, for the important points that you raised.
Again, you mentioned the dual mandate, which we appreciate.
I think that you also mentioned the constructive engagement that we have with a UN AD.
We take that very seriously.
I cannot tell you, and this is a broader statement, how many meetings all of us on this panel have been engaged in on UN AD and we are trying to be as helpful and useful as we possibly can.
I also appreciate the support for South South cooperation.
We consider that absolutely critical.
I do want to say also your sort of swift action in humanitarian crisis was helpful to us and we appreciate that.
So we will do as you suggested, which is to keep the reforms practical as we go forward with UN AD.
But thank you very much for the comments and for the points that you made.
To the colleague from Japan, this issue, and I have to give Japan huge credit for this because this concept of human security is really critical to us.
I think investing in children certainly and developing their capacity across the human security issues is really critical health education.
Really thinking about the dignity of every child and trying to build resilience in children and in communities is critical.
Huge thank you for that comment and for the work that you've done and the leadership you've shown there.
Also, thank you for the point about the public private synergies.
I think, again, it goes to my point about the private sector and how critical private sector is, but I also think private sector comes to the table with a lot of great ideas and really working in partnership with them is critical.
So I think I then go to Germany.
Did I miss anybody else? I hope I didn't anyway.
Okay.
If I did, just yell and I'll come back to you.
But to Germany, again, thank you for the point about the staff and how critical they are.
I just wanted to make one point about FFI, which you raised and I think from our perspective, we're almost finished with FFI, at least as we intended it to be.
We are doing an after action review of a the whole process to document the lessons learned.
I think I agree with you that that is really critical to make sure we understand.
We had to move quickly.
We had to make a lot of tough decisions fast.
There was a lot of, as I said, a lot of pain, but I think we're really trying to make sure we have learned the lessons and that we can share those.
We'll also do an evaluation next year in the lead up to the midterm review of the strategic plan and the integrated budget.
So we will continue to try to learn from that and I really appreciate Jeremy mentioning that and highlighting and reminding us of how critical it is, but I want to reassure you that we are thinking about it and we'll be happy to report back.
To the colleague from Nigeria, Many good points.
Again, this issue of why the CPDs are so critical, and I think that has come up again from many of the colleagues, but certainly the colleague from Switzerland just mentioned it as well.
These country program documents, we ensure that they are coordinated with the cooperation frameworks.
We see that as a critical part of our work, but the country program documents are a reflection of our um agreement with the countries about what will get done, how it will get done, how we will pay for it.
We take that very seriously.
That document is absolutely critical to us.
I think I just want to thank Nigeria for reminding us, again, all of us, of how critical those are and why we need to keep those at the center of our work because they reflect the national priorities, which is absolutely critical to us.
The colleague from Nigeria and also from Montenegro mentioned education.
I realized I hadn't said too much about that.
We are very, um focused at UNICEF and in fact, had some great meetings about this yesterday about how we can try to be more I don't even know the right word proactive.
I think on education.
There are a lot of different entities that are in the education space.
I think the fact that over 270 million children in the world are not in school and that many more are in school and not learning is a very tough reality that we all have to deal with.
I think we feel at UNICEF that we have got to do better, certainly as an international community, but for UNICEF as well.
We are focused on many pieces of this, but one of them, just to mention is thinking about how new technologies can help us in this space.
I've mentioned this before.
I think at some point it would be worthwhile and we may be doing this actually in September, a briefing on this, but just to think about how AI can help, especially on this issue of training and supporting teachers because clearly, we need to do something different in this space.
We are just not we again, I'm speaking for UNICEF, but I would say broadly for the international community, we're not getting this job done in the way that we need to get it done and many children are falling behind.
That is a great concern to me and to others at UNICEF and I think to others in the world.
Once these children, if you don't get them educated when they're young, it is really hard to catch up.
We have a window where we've got to make sure that they opportunities to learn, that they learn skills, and that they can transfer into the workforce, that is absolutely critical for them, for their communities, and for their countries.
I think we are working hard to try to figure out how we can be as effective as possible in that space.
To the colleague from Panama and I know somebody else raised it as well, but I can't remember.
France.
Yes.
Thank you for the point about the issues around children in conflict.
What we're seeing now is and somebody made reference to this that we're seeing the highest number of grave violations against children ever.
These children are suffering in these conflict settings and the grave violations, as you know, are murder, killing, abduction, sexual violence, all these things.
This is what we're seeing in so many places.
We're seeing record numbers of it.
UNICEF has an important role in helping with the monitoring and, um, accountability here, but it is a very challenging space and I think the world needs to be alarmed at the numbers of children who are suffering in these conflicts.
I think we all need to really try to do better.
I often say this that for the humanitarians, We are picking up the pieces of a world where these conflicts are not being resolved in a political way, which is what needs to happen.
Humanitarians cannot solve the problem.
We are literally trying to salvage the lives of children who are impacted by these conflicts.
I would just say to all of you, to everyone who has some capacity to stop the conflicts, that really is the key here because trying to manage the consequences of the conflict is a terrible situation because these children, even if we manage to save their lives, even if we managed to get them back in school, You know, they have suffered terrible harm, terrible psychological problems that will last their lifetimes and probably the lifetimes of their families.
I think that is something that gives everyone pause.
Certainly gives me pause and I really wish we could do better in that space.
To the colleague from Moldova, I think I appreciate you raising this issue about child protection.
I mean, we see that is absolutely critical across the board in places where children are suffering from different dangers and problems and I think it is a top priority for us.
And France, also, you raised this issue of digital and many others have as well.
We are very focused on that, as I said, certainly in the context of AI, but also more broadly of how it can support our own efforts to be more effective and importantly, how we can think about protecting children in that space because that is a very real worry for us.
We see the great potential, but we also see the perils for children in terms of sexual imaging and all the rest of it.
I think it's something that we are very engaged in and very much appreciate the support of the board in that respect.
Um, colleague from Cuba, you raised the issue of water and sanitation, which sometimes gets short shrift, I think, but it is really an important issue for us.
We do a lot of work leading often on that issue in countries and I think trying to make sure that children have access to safe water children and communities more broadly is a top priority for us.
I finally to the colleague from Switzerland, you may raise many good points again on the child protection and monitoring and reporting, absolutely critical from our perspective.
I And I think you asked the question or raised the point about the CPDs and the cooperation framework.
I just want to reassure that that is a priority for us to make sure that those are aligned.
The CPD can't be replaced by the cooperation framework, that doesn't work that way.
Because as you've heard from the countries where we do programming, the CPDs are the negotiation we do with countries to make sure that whatever programming we're doing there is in line with the realities on the ground and the ability and capacity of the governments and the priorities of the government to try to make sure that we're aligned in what we're doing.
Huge thank you to you for raising that and I think just to assure you that we take that very seriously.
Did I miss anyone? No.
I thank you I Russo for her comments.
Let's move on.
Next speaker on my list is Bulgaria.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Allow me to thank you, the Bureau, and all members of the executive board for your leadership.
Bulgaria remains committed to engaging constructively throughout the session.
We thank Executive Director Katherine Russell for her briefing and for UNIC leadership at a time when conflicts, climate shocks, inequality, and funding constraints are placing unprecedented pressure on children and the systems that are designed to protect them.
Bulgaria remains firmly committed to safeguarding investments in children.
We share the concern that fiscal pressure, including rising debt burdens, risk undermining access to health care, education, nutrition, and other essential services.
Children must remain at the center of the national and international policy responses.
The role of states as financial contributors remains vital and so is the provision of flexible and predictable funding, including core resources.
Despite constraints, Bulgaria continues to prioritize contributions to UNICEF's core resources and seeks to increase them whenever possible, also having done so in 2025.
We welcome the implementation of the strategic plan 2026, 2029 and support UNIC efforts to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment while maintaining a strong focus on results.
We also support Reforms under the UN 80 framework aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness while preserving UNICEF's delivery capacity.
Strong oversight and accountability are essential to maintaining trust and impact.
Bulgaria therefore attaches particular importance to evaluation, audit, and risk management.
We are pleased by the positive audit of Unicef's country office in Bulgaria and express our appreciation for the work of miss Christina De Bruy, UNIC country representative in Bulgaria.
Mr.
President, as UNICEF approaches its 80th anniversary, Bulgaria remains a committed supporter of its mandate and a strong advocate for multilateral action in support of every child's rights, protection, and development.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Bulgaria.
Next speaker on my list is Greece, followed by Belgium, and then we will take a break.
Greece, you have a floor.
Thank you, Mr.
President, Madam Executive Director, colleagues.
Greece welcomes the annual report and thanks the Executive Director and UNICEF staff for their dedication and commitment in very challenging circumstances.
As an elected member of the UN Security Council and with the experience gained through chairing the Security Council working group on children and armed conflict, we remain firmly committed to advancing UNICEF global mandate through active diplomatic engagement and the promotion of child centered policies in multilateral forum.
And UNICEF enjoy a long standing and strategic partnership founded upon our shared commitment to safeguarding children's rights.
In Greece, UNICEF works closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including ministries, municipalities, academia, and private institutions.
Our cooperation aims at combating child poverty, childhood obesity, and preventable child mortality, promoting the inclusion of children with disabilities and expanding family and community based care systems.
Moreover, since the onset of the refugee crisis in 2015, our cooperation has intensified considerably, focusing on the protection of unaccopanied minors and the access to healthcare and education for refugee and migrant children.
In light of the National action plan on women, peace and security and the comprehensive national strategy for prevention of violence against children and the child friendly justice, we welcome UNICEF's continued adherence to a human rights based approach despite the constraint global fiscal landscape and present global challenges.
Clear demonstration of Greece's commitment at the international level was our contribution announced at the ninth Brussels Conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region, through which we support UNICEF's humanitarian operations for children affected by the Syrian crisis.
Through these collective efforts at both national and international level, Greece, along with UNICEF remain determined to ensure that every child can grow up in safety and dignity and fully realize their potential.
I thank you.
I thank distinguished representative of Greece.
Next speaker is Belgium.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Madam Executive Director.
Thank you for your briefing today and for the presentation of the 2026 annual report.
Belgium commends the dedication of all UNICEF staff for their indispensable commitment to delivering results for every child.
Our strong partnership with and support for UNICEF is grounded in our firm belief in its unique triple mandate.
As custodian of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most widely ratified Human Rights Treaty, we encourage UNICEF to continuing strength child rights frameworks and advocacy to secure a better future for all children.
Secondly, through its sustainable development work across education, water and sanitation, child protection, mental health, and psychosocial support, and many other thematic areas, UNICEF plays a vital role in strengthening systems and advancing progress towards the sustainable development goals.
Finally, UNICEF's humanitarian response reaches children whom the world has otherwise failed, ensuring that no child is left behind.
Madam Executive Director, in an increasingly volatile world, children face growing risks from conflict and climate change to rapid technological developments, including artificial intelligence.
How can we ensure and sustained support, visibility and capacity to meet their needs in the current geopolitical context? At this time of year, the Secretary-General presents the Annual Report on children in armed conflict, which is a stark reminder of the grave and often traumatic realities faced by children in conflict settings.
Yet, verified grave violations capture only a fraction of the full picture.
We deeply value UNICEF's essential role in documenting, verifying, and reporting these violations, ensuring that the international community cannot turn a blind eye.
Distinguished colleagues, in these rooms, we discuss budgets, oversight, accountability, strategic planning, reform, and efficiency, issues not immediately associated with children's daily lives.
Yet we firmly believe they are crucial to strengthening UNICEF as an organization and enhancing its ability to deliver for children.
Mr.
President, Madam Executive Director, Excellencies, dear colleagues, we look forward to a productive board session that upholds the tradition of consensus and demonstrates the continued effectiveness of multilateral cooperation.
Belgium reaffirms its unwavering support for UNICEF and its dedicated staff in delivering for children everywhere.
I thank you.
Thank you, distinguished representative of Belgium.
I invite now the Russell to respond to statements made so far.
Okay.
Great.
Well, thank you so much and that was actually a really nice way to end.
Thank you for your comments and I think it means a lot to us.
I think your point about we're trying to help children who the world has failed is really an important way to say that.
I might steal that in the future, thank you for that.
But I also appreciate what you're saying about really keeping the focus on children and this issue of oversight, accountability, Bulgaria raised the same.
I think the importance of evaluation, audit, risk management, investigations, those are absolutely critical to our work.
Again, I think we take them seriously, they're priorities for us for sure and it's really what you're both saying, which is that if people don't have confidence in the work we're doing, that really diminishes our ability to do it and and we don't think of it as an afterthought, we think of it as absolutely critical and essential to our work and prioritize it and work very closely with all the teams who do that work.
To the colleague from Greece, I would just say two things.
One, you raised a couple of issues that haven't been mentioned yet.
One is child obesity, which it's so interesting because on the one hand, UNICEF is very focused on children who are severely malnourished and malnourished.
At the same time, we do have large numbers and rising numbers of children who are facing obesity and trying to make sure that children are properly nourished, whether they have too much food or too little food or not the right food is really an ongoing challenge for us and it does obviously depend on the situation, but both are important.
You also mentioned this issue of children with disabilities.
That is really essential to our work.
I think if you can imagine children who are the most vulnerable in the sea of vulnerable children, it is children with disabilities and they are often left behind, forgotten.
For us, it is an absolute priority to try to keep those children central to our work, really focus with countries on making sure that these children do not get left behind because I see far too often.
I think from our perspective, we are the organization that has got to keep the focus on those children because otherwise they get left behind.
Just on your point on Syria, I would just say, we see that there's a rare moment here, we think, to rebuild Syria.
I think flexible multi year funding is essential to that because we want to try to make sure that while there's this opportunity, we can get in there and do as much work as we possibly can and very much appreciate you raising that point.
Hope everybody enjoys lunch and we'll see you afterward.
Thank you, ID, for these remarks.
Colleagues, we will interrupt the session for lunch indeed and we will convene again here at 1,500 with Australia as a first speaker.
But before we go, I would like to give a floor to Secretary Franko for an announcement.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Just three quick announcements.
The first one is to let you know that the informal consultations of the draft decisions being considered for adoption will be held in this conference room starting at 1:15 until 2:45 P.M.
After we conclude.
In the afternoon, the consultations will also be held in this room 5-6.
And if we go after six, we always have the Maurice Pit conference room reserved in the UNICEF house.
Just a reminder that the informal consultations on draft decisions are intended for UNICEF executive board member states and observer states, including the facilitators, and we will have the focal points of UNICEF in the rooms available for the informal consultations.
Second is just a reminder of the invitation for the reception, which is today from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.
Dan K Visitor Center.
This is offered by the president and the executive director and we hope to see you all there.
The final is that we do have a QR code for the survey, at the end of the session, I will give you a reminder of that.
Thank you very much, Mr.
President.
Thank you, Secretary.
Thank you, colleagues.
See you at 3:00 P.M.
Thank you.