The Battle to Restore Funding to UNFPA Continues in the United States

At a press conference on July 8 to mark the 10th Anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and to urge the Bush Administration to keep U.S. promises to women and families abroad, Amy Coen, president of Population Action International, told the crowd that restoration of U.S. funding to the UN Population Fund is vital to achieving the goals of the ICPD Programme of Action.

"If the landmark Cairo Programme of Action is ever to be achieved, the United States must once again be a partner in supporting the UN Population Fund – the largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programs," stated Amy Coen, president of Population Action International.  "The largest number of young people in history are entering their reproductive years, and U.S. funding for UNFPA is essential to meeting their most basic family planning and reproductive health care needs."

While the Bush administration continues use UNFPA as a political punching bag, other countries are increasing funding for the organization working in more than 140 countries.  On July 6, the United Kingdom pledged $214 million to UNFPA and UNAIDS for HIV/AIDS and reproductive health initiatives in developing countries. About $148 million will be allocated for UNFPA over the next four years. According to the U.K. Department for International Development, the funding represents a more than 20 percent increase in the country's current UNFPA contribution.

The full text of Amy Coen’s remarks at the press conference is available as a PDF document.

Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.