World Population Day 2026; July 11th.

FORUM: “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future.” World Population Day 2026. This year's theme reflects a new report on the findings of the UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey, which asked more than 100,000 Internet-connected people aged 18 to 39 in 73 countries about their partnership, reproductive and life aspirations. Societies are “heading towards a demographic cliff”, according to some headlines. The “global baby bust” is the result of a “feminist revolt”, others speculate. Behind the hyperbole is a kernel of truth: Population data do show that around the world fertility rates are falling. Yet many of the attendant claims, from the threat of human extinction to the role of feminism – are rooted in myths and misogyny. 

Today, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, which is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, is releasing findings from its Demographic Futures Survey, one of the largest, most geographically comprehensive surveys to date exploring what young adults want for their reproductive futures. Over 108,000 Internet-connected young adults, aged 18 to 39 from 73 countries, were asked what they want when it comes to relationships, children and the future – and what they feel is standing in their way. These young adults, from every geographical region showed remarkable agreement over what is keeping them from forging partnerships and having children: money and housing. This finding, and many more, can help us put to rest some of the misconceptions surrounding fertility decline. Below, we start with five of the biggest.

1. Myth: Feminism is responsible for birth rate declines.


This claim has been repeated in headlines and hot takes around the world. Yet UNFPA has decades of evidence – from its work with health providers and survivors of gender-based violence, and from its data collection for the Sustainable Development Goals – showing that women are actually often unable to exercise agency over their bodies and reproduction. About a tenth of women are unable to make choices about contraception, a quarter are unable to make decisions about their own healthcare, and a quarter are unable to say no to sex. This information alone gives us reason to question the claim that global fertility decline is the fault of feminism or women’s empowerment.

Fact: Today, the Demographic Futures Survey brings us one of the most robust and current bodies of evidence on this topic – and it shows us that most people, men and women, want children.

 Two is the ideal number in most parts of the world, and in some regions, people on average want more than two. Women are not refusing to have children. They – and men, too – face obstacles to having them. And the most commonly cited obstacles are financial security, stable employment and housing. Furthermore, the survey found that attitudes around family-related choices are actually relatively consistent between men and women. While there are some differences – such as men being more likely than women to disapprove of parents divorcing while having young children, and all respondents being more disapproving of mothers with young children working full-time jobs compared to fathers of young children – these gaps tend to be minimal. On the other hand, women’s rating of barriers to childbearing was consistently higher; every single barrier to having children (financial concerns, infertility, chronic health issues, etc.) was considered more important by women than by men. Again, this suggests that declining fertility rates are not the “fault” of feminism or women’s attitudes, but the burdens that all young adults face, which are often disproportionately heavy for women.


2. Myth: Young people are rejecting marriage and parenthood.


From kitchen tables to think tanks to parliaments, many assume that young people are refusing both marriage and children. Solutions, the thinking goes, should involve promoting marriage and childbearing.

Fact: The Demographic Futures Survey shows us that marriage and parenthood are still widely held goals. Over two thirds of respondents see marriage as their ideal.

But the path to marriage and parenthood is challenging. Almost 80 per cent of respondents say partnership is an important precondition for becoming a parent, the survey finds. This mirrors what UNFPA has seen in its youth programmes: “Finding the right partner is important because I believe that raising a child should be a shared responsibility with emotional and financial support from both parents,” a young woman from India shared with us last year.

Yet not everyone is finding a partner. Out of all respondents aged 25 to 39, approximately one quarter say they want a partner but are currently single and not dating. Men were more likely to say this than women.

What are the biggest barriers to getting married or being in a stable, cohabiting relationship? The largest proportion of people, 57 per cent of respondents, cited economic and housing constraints.

3. Myth: “Collapsing” teen birth rates are a problem for societies.

This myth is often expressed in alarmist tones. Some even claim falling adolescent pregnancy rates threaten humanity with extinction. Is there any merit to this claim? No.

Fact: Adolescent fertility rates are declining – this is a public health success. It means more girls are able to complete school and avoid the health consequences of early pregnancy; many of them will still go on to become mothers.

Declining adolescent fertility has significantly contributed to overall global fertility declines, research shows. But that does not mean it is a problem, nor does it mean we should encourage more adolescent parenthood. After all, the goal should not be to change people’s minds about when and whether to become parents, but to create the conditions that enable them to responsibly realize their aspirations on their own terms. “Bringing a child into the world is only one step. The real challenge is raising them,” a young man in Paraguay told UNFPA.

Here is where data from the Demographic Futures Survey give critical insight. What is keeping people from having the children they want? Financial security, stable employment, and psychological and emotional readiness are the top three most important preconditions for parenthood, the survey finds. This offers specific areas, from education policies to community health services to job security and work protections, where policymakers can take action to meet people’s own stated needs.

4. Myth: Young adults are too selfish to have children.
5. Myth: People are not sufficiently incentivized to become parents.

These last two myths are linked. The first assumes that young adults are simply too focused on themselves – too busy having fun, perhaps – to undertake the hard but necessary work of parenting. The second assumes that the rewards of parenting should be material. If people do not require children for labour or eldercare, and if children are expected to simply consume their parents’ resources before moving away, the thinking goes, then people will naturally forgo parenthood. Both presume selfish motives for having or not having children.

Fact: The Demographic Futures Survey shows that the most common reason respondents gave to become a parent is the joy and happiness children bring.

Most of the survey respondents already have children, and the vast majority of those without children by ages 35 to 39 (79 per cent of men and 72 per cent of women) still want to become parents. Most people are not selfishly refusing to become parents, nor are they waiting for babies to promise a better return on investment. Among all respondents, of all ages, 80 per cent said the joy of parenthood is a key factor. Having children for utilitarian reasons, such as government encouragement or because children are needed for the future workforce, was the least motivating for prospective parents. Handwringing over the partnering and parenting choices of young people (especially young women) is an age-old pastime. But the survey released today offers a more productive and positive path forward for policymakers – one responding to people’s stated goals and concerns, one based on evidence instead of assumptions.

Follow the conversation with the hashtags #WorldPopulationDay; #11july, #sustainablefuture, #programmeofaction, #population, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #CountEveryone #megatrends, #icpd30.

EVENT: On Saturday, July 11th, a webinar to mark the World Population Day 2026 will be held. The report entitled "Lives, Choices and Futures." published on 7 July, just ahead of World Population Day – a timely opportunity to place evidence at the centre of global discussions on demographic change, reproductive rights and sustainable development. Register to participate and Watch the livestream!

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director on World Population Day 2026; July11th.


We are living through a time of profound demographic change. Some countries have historically large numbers of young people. Others are experiencing rapid population ageing. And many are navigating both. Societies and economies are being reshaped by intersecting crises, rising inequalities and disruptive technologies. At the same time, information and misinformation are redefining how we perceive the world around us.

How do young adults see their lives, ambitions and futures in a world of constant change? This is the question at the heart of UNFPA’s recent Demographic Futures Survey. The survey is one of the largest bodies of evidence to date on young people’s life goals with respect to relationships and families.

What we found is that most still hope for partnership and parenthood, yet many feel they may never see these dreams materialize. Today, fragile labour markets, widening inequalities and protracted conflict have left many young people struggling to imagine how they can build the families and futures they want.

Some people assume that younger generations have given up on marriage and children altogether. Our survey tells a different story. Most respondents say their ideal relationship involves marriage. Yet among those who want a partner, many are single and not dating. Economic and housing constraints were the most commonly cited barriers to partnership. Most of those surveyed also want children – and across most regions, two is the most common ideal family size. But many question whether they will have the stability and security to house and care for them.

In short, it is uncertainty, not unwillingness, that has young people questioning whether they can start the families they want.

In response to changing demographic trends, including ageing and low fertility, governments are exploring a wide range of policies. But policies will not succeed if they pressure people towards particular choices or fail to address the barriers young people themselves identify.

As one young community leader told us, “This isn’t just about choosing to have fewer children. It’s about having fewer choices.”

What young people are telling us is clear: They need a sense of security to plan for their future, and the agency to carry that plan out. The onus is on leaders everywhere to support these aspirations.

With smart, forward-looking investments in their rights and choices – from housing and healthcare to parental leave and childcare support, young people can exercise autonomy over their bodies and their lives and build the futures they want. They can realize the right to make the most intimate, consequential decisions of their lives.

The world today is full of opportunities, not only challenges. Communities and economies will innovate, develop resilience and thrive when young people can, too.

Young people – from North to South, from East to West – have spoken. It’s time to listen. And it is time to help create the conditions that allow them to make real choices, create the families they want and realize their hopes and aspirations.

Ms. Diene Keita, UNFPA Executive director.

PUBLICATION: What young adults want and what shapes their decisions about parenthood and relationships. Findings from the Demographic Futures Survey 2026.

Around the world, demographic change is prompting urgent debate about fertility, family life and the future. Lives, Choices and Futures, UNFPA’s report on the findings of the 2025-2026 Demographic Futures Survey brings together one of the most geographically diverse bodies of evidence on how young adults’ hopes and decisions about relationships, parenthood and the future take place in an uncertain world. Through the voices of over 108,000 Internet-connected people aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries, this report shows that many young people continue to value partnership and parenthood, but the conditions to realize these aspirations often feel out of reach.

The findings reveal:

• More than two thirds of respondents want to marry or live with a partner.
• Two children is the most commonly reported ideal family size in five out of seven regional groupings.
• Economic and housing constraints constitute the most common obstacles to forming partnerships.
• Financial security is the top consideration for entering a partnership (81%) and parenthood (88%).
• Young respondents also consider stable employment (87%) and emotional readiness (85%) as important preconditions for becoming parents.
• Two thirds feel somewhat or very positive about the future despite worries about conflict, economic insecurity and inequality.

While the data are weighted by age, sex and education level, these findings are not nationally representative and should not be interpreted as population-level estimates. Instead, they provide comparative insights into the views of Internet-connected young adults surveyed across regions. The data tells us what these young adults value, what they worry about, what they see as important for partnership and parenthood, and what conditions they report as shaping their choices. This report offers a flagship evidence base to inspire further research and shift policy and public debate. It moves the conversation away from panic, population targets and assumptions about young people’s choices. Instead it focuses on the social, economic and institutional conditions that enable young people to have the families they want and build the lives they aspire to lead. Lives, Choices and Futures provides vital evidence to inform global policy discussions on demographic change, reproductive rights and sustainable development. The findings affirm that long-term investments in young people and cross-sector policies on education, employment security, housing, reproductive health services, and social protection will help them contribute to societies that are innovative, resilient and economically robust. Read the full report!

Launch of the World Population Highlights 2026: Youth by the United Nations Population Division.

Young people are a vital driving force in all societies, contributing energy, innovation and creativity to national development and to the achievement of the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Yet, many continue to face significant barriers that limit young people’s ability to realise their full potential and to participate meaningfully in society. The World Population Highlights 2026: Youth provides sound, comparable and timely data on global youth population trends, including changes in size and geographical distribution and key dimensions of youth well-being. The report identifies priority actions to reduce disparities, promote sustainable livelihoods, improve health outcomes — including sexual and reproductive health — and strengthen the protection of young people’s rights. The findings of this report can help policymakers, youth advocates and civil society to integrate population foresight into the formulation of policies and programmes and to ensure that demographic change contributes to a more equitable, inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for current and future generations. The report supports Youth2030, the United Nations system-wide youth strategy guiding global action with and for young people. Read full report the Ten Key Messages, get the social media cards and the SDG Blog: Demographic change and the transformative force of youth.

LIVESTREAM: United Nations Population Award 2026 Ceremony.

The aim of the UN Population Award Ceremony is to celebrate the achievements of laureates and their contributions to the development and/or implementation of solutions to issues and questions related to population and development.

The Secretary-General's message for the 2026 United Nations Population Award Ceremony, to be delivered by the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Diene Keita

The United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Population Award in resolution 36/201 on 17 December 1981. The Award is presented annually to an individual or individuals, or to an institution or institutions, or to any combination thereof, for the most outstanding contribution to the awareness of population questions or to their solutions.

Each year, the Committee for the United Nations Population Award honours an individual and/or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health questions and to their solutions. The Award was established by the General Assembly in 1981, in resolution 36/201, and was first presented in 1983. It consists of a gold medal, a diploma and a monetary prize.

The Committee for the United Nations Population Award is comprised of 10 UN Member States, with United Nations Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director serving as ex-officio members. Nominations for the award are accepted through 31 December of each year.View less
Related Sites and Documents: Website.

Watch the 2026 United Nations Population Awards Ceremony!

Meetings & Events

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026; February 6th.

FORUM: "Stepping Towards 2030: No end to FGM without Sustained Commitments and Actions.'' International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026. While significant efforts over recent decades have contributed to progress in addressing female genital mutilation, current trends are insufficient to meet global elimination goals without accelerated action. And the gains made are fragile. Funding cuts, declining investment in health, education and child protection, growing pushback against elimination efforts and increasing medicalization of FGM threaten to slow or reverse progress. Without adequate and predictable financing, community-based programmes risk being scaled back, health and other services weakened and millions more girls placed at risk. As the world approaches 2030, the promise to end female genital mutilation stands at a decisive moment. Gains made over the past decade risk being reversed as global funding and support for gender equality, girls and women’s rights, and ending harmful practices continue to decline. Yet, millions of girls still depend on our collective will to act. Amidst all these challenges, one thing is clear: there can be no end to FGM without sustained commitment and investment. sustained action and investment does not only mean financial resources—it encompasses people’s initiatives, skills and knowledge, assets/equipment, systems, entrepreneurship, technological, informational and influential/ reputational resources. To advance the elimination of FGM, sustained engagement from governments, civil society, communities, philanthropic foundations and the international community is essential. Each act of commitment—whether a policy change, a mentoring initiative, a safe space for dialogue, or a shared story of resilience—represents a step forward towards a world free from FGM. Continued and flexible funding is vital to protect past achievements, sustain momentum, and ensure that national and community actors can continue their work with confidence and stability. On this International Day, partners reaffirm their shared commitment to work with grassroots champions, young leaders, survivors, civil society, governments and partners to accelerate progress towards ending FGM. With four years remaining to meet the 2030 target, sustained action and investment are critical to protect girls and ensure that hard-won progress is not lostFor more than a decade, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme has supported survivors and prioritized investments in survivor-led initiatives. There are now more than 200 million survivors. Share your efforts and stories by tagging #Unite2EndFGM from across social media platforms and affirming the commitments. It is only through concerted efforts that we can make lasting change so that no girl has to live with fear or endure the harmful consequences of FGM. So, let’s Unite to End FGM. Every voice counts! Follow the conversation with the hashtags:#steppingupthepace, #6February, #EndFGM.

EVENTS: On February 6th at 14:00 CET, the WHO will participate in a global advocacy webinar for International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026 entitled "Stepping Towards 2030: No end to FGM without Sustained Commitments and Actions''. The advocacy event hosted by the UNFPA – UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation. The observance of the day provides an opportunity to highlight progress and raise awareness to end this harmful practice. From community leaders to health workers and family members, everyone has a role to play. With only 5 years to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, our efforts must be faster and bolder. We must step up the pace 27 times to achieve SDG 5.3 on ending FGM. Keeping this urgency in mind. Register to participate!

Key messages
● Female genital mutilation violates the fundamental rights of girls, including the right to health, life, physical and mental integrity and freedom from torture.
● By strengthening alliances among grassroots activists, communities, governments, organizations and the private sector, we can build a powerful social movement that ends harmful norms, which promote the continuation of the practice.
● Every public declaration, every conversation, and every investment brings us closer to a world free from female genital mutilation, ensuring a safer and brighter future for girls.

Call to action
● Increase investment to ensure no girl is at risk of female genital mutilation: Governments, donors, and the private sector must step up financial investments to scale up of effective interventions.
● Strengthen social movements to eliminate female genital mutilation through partnerships: Expand social movements led by girls, women, survivors, youth, boys and men through strategic coalitions that amplify action to eliminate female genital mutilation.
● Centre the voices and stories of survivors: Place survivors at the heart of advocacy, policymaking, and implementation efforts. Their voices are essential to driving change.
● Advocate for accountability: Ensure countries uphold their commitment to international, regional and national human rights through regular reporting of progress in implementation of policies, strategies and interventions that protect girls at risk and provide necessary care including justice for survivors.
● Engage everyone: Ending female genital mutilation requires the collective efforts of girls, women, survivors, men, boys, youth, traditional and religious leaders, communities, governments, private sector and donors as key allies.

PUBLICATION: New study showing health complications due to FGM.

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the WHO guidelines on the management of health complications from female genital mutilation. That publication’s main purpose was to provide evidence-informed recommendations on managing health complications associated with FGM. The current revised guideline has an expanded scope, providing up-to-date recommendations on FGM prevention as well as clinical management of complications. The process of updating and revising this guideline resulted in eight recommendations relating to training and capacity-building of health workers on FGM prevention and care, including access to capacity-building resources; educational interventions targeting women and girls living with or at risk of FGM as well as men and boys in FGM-affected communities; deinfibulation for women with Type III FGM, including the timing of deinfibulation; mental health interventions for women and girls living with FGM and having symptoms of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and surgical and non-surgical sexual health interventions. In addition, three best practice statements are presented on the development and enforcement of laws and policies against FGM, the need for professional codes of conduct for health workers and the importance of counselling and informed consent prior to deinfibulation. Considerations on implementing the recommendations are also discussed. Read the full publication!

CALCULATOR: FGM cost calculator.


Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026; February 6th.

Female genital mutilation violates the universal human rights to life, health and bodily integrity — and causes lasting harm to over 230 million women and girls worldwide.

It is rooted in the same gender bias that restricts girls’ access to education, narrows women’s opportunities for employment, and limits their participation in public life.

The world has committed to ending this dangerous practice by 2030. But in the meantime, 23 million girls remain at risk.

Getting to zero will require sustained political commitment — and sustained investment. Governments, civil society, health workers, and traditional and religious leaders all have a role to play. The United Nations is working on prevention and advocacy, ensuring that survivors have access to care, and empowering women and girls through education, employment, and leadership opportunities.

On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, let us renew our promise to protect the rights of women and girls everywhere, and ensure that they can live free from violence and fear.

Together, we can end this injustice once and for all.

António Guterres.

UNFPA, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO) Joint Statement on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026.

In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls—many under the age of five—are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation. Currently, more than 230 million girls and women are living with its consequences.

Today, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, we reaffirm our commitment to end female genital mutilation for every girl and every woman at risk, and to continue working to ensure those subjected to this harmful practice have access to quality and appropriate services.



Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights and cannot be justified on any grounds. It compromises girls’ and women’s physical and mental health and can lead to serious, lifelong complications, with treatment costs estimated at about USD 1.4 billion every year.

Interventions aimed at ending female genital mutilation over the last three decades are having an impact, with nearly two-thirds of the population in countries where it is prevalent expressing support for its elimination. After decades of slow change, progress against female genital mutilation is accelerating: half of all gains since 1990 were achieved in the past decade reducing the number of girls subjected to FGM from one in two to one in three. We need to build on this momentum and speed up progress to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending female genital mutilation by 2030.

We know what works. Health education, engaging religious and community leaders, parents and health workers and the use of traditional and social media are effective strategies to end the practice. We must invest in community-led movements—including grassroots and youth networks—and strengthen education through both formal and community-based approaches. We need to amplify prevention messages by involving trusted opinion leaders, including health workers. And we must support survivors by ensuring they have access to comprehensive, context-tailored health care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance.

Every dollar invested in ending female genital mutilation yields a tenfold return. An investment of USD 2.8 billion can prevent 20 million cases and generate USD 28 billion in investment returns.

As we approach 2030, gains achieved over decades are at risk as global investment and support wane. Funding cuts and declining international investment in health, education, and child protection programmes are already constraining efforts to prevent female genital mutilation and support survivors. Further, the growing systematic pushback on efforts to end female genital mutilation, including dangerous arguments that it should be carried out by doctors or health workers to reduce harm, adds more hurdles to elimination efforts. Without adequate and predictable financing, community outreach programmes risk being scaled back, frontline services weakened, and progress reversed—placing millions more girls at risk at a critical moment in the push to meet the 2030 target.

Today we reaffirm our commitment and efforts with local and global public and private partners, including survivors, to end female genital mutilation once and for all.

Joint statement by the UNFPA Executive Director, UNICEF Executive Director, OHCHR High Commissioner, UN Women Executive Director, WHO Director-General, and UNESCO Director-General on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Visual assets in English, French, Arabic.

International Day for People of African Descent 2025; August 31st.

FORUM: "People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, and Development." International Day for People of African Descent 2025; An initiative have been developed during the launch of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, to amplify global efforts toward justice and development for individuals of African descent. Societies around the world are increasingly recognizing the role structural racism plays in driving social, economic and political inequalities; several countries have made racial profiling and discrimination illegal and have introduced policies to promote the rights and choices for people of African descent. Governments have accelerated their efforts to make Afrodescendants more statistically visible in order to address historical injustices and to bridge gaps in access to health care, social services and opportunities. Further action, political will and investments are needed to end inequalities and ensure the full empowerment of people of African descent.Today we honour and celebrate the many African diaspora who continue to make extraordinary contributions across the world and re-commit to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them. Follow the conversations with the hashtags #AfricanDescent, #InternationalDecadeforPeopleofAfricanDescent; #africandescentday; #31august, #StandUp4HumanRights, #FightRacism.

EVENT: On August 31st; from 14:30 to 16:00 pm EST, a virtual event will be held to mark the 5th edition of the International Day for People of African Descent. The United Nations General Assembly invites all Member States, all organizations and bodies of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, the private sector and academia, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness-raising activities, in order to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent. By fostering collaboration among governments, organizations, and communities we can find way to create a more equitable future in which the aspirations and rights of people of African descent are fully recognized, honored, and celebrated. You are invited to Register to participate!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary General on the International Day for People of African Descent 2025; August 31st.

On the International Day for People of African Descent, we honour the extraordinary contributions of people of African descent across every sphere of human endeavour.

But we also recognise enduring injustices. The legacies of slavery and colonialism cast long shadows – seen in systemic racism, unequal economies and societies, and the digital divide. White supremacy and dehumanizing narratives are amplified by social media, and, too often, racial bias is encoded in algorithms.

Eighty years after the United Nations Charter reaffirmed the equal rights and inherent dignity of every human being, and sixty years since the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, it is long past time to right historic wrongs.

The Global Digital Compact takes a step forward, with commitments to tackle discrimination and hate speech in digital technologies. And the second International Decade for People of African Descent must drive real change -- including working towards a United Nations Declaration on the full respect of people of African descent’s human rights.

Let’s make this a decade of action – for justice, dignity and equality for people of African descent around the world.

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.

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Statement from Mr Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the International Day for People of African Descent 2025; August 31st.

People of African descent have built a rich heritage of creative excellence, of transformative leadership, and of enduring resilience. They have shaped the world in ways that cannot be measured. The International Day for People of African descent is an opportunity to celebrate their diverse contributions to societies. Today also serves as a call to step up efforts to address the persistent injustices against them. the legacy of colonialism and the trade in enslaved Africans. Because of systemic racism, people of African descent are more likely to live in poverty and to experience discrimination across the board, from access to housing and health care to education and political representation.
Damaging stereotypes fuel racially motivated violence, hate speech, and supremacist ideologies that threaten their safety and dignity. This community faces systemic discrimination in their interactions with law enforcement and criminal justice and women and girls of African descent. People with disabilities and many other groups within the community experience intersectional discrimination.
To secure the full rights and freedoms of people of African descent, we need urgent progress on three fronts. First, recognition that systemic racism can only be tackled with systemic reforms.
My office, UN Human Rights, stands ready to support states to dismantle racist systems, laws, and policies. Second, reparatory justice to address the lasting impact of enslavement and colonialism.
initiatives can include truthtelling, memorialization, and formal apologies as well as reparations.
Third, improving data collection to confront entrenched racial inequalities.
What isn't counted doesn't count. So states need to monitor the differing impact of laws and policies on different communities and they need to take action grounded in robust data analysis.
The United Nations is working around the world to end the discrimination, the violence and the inequality suffered by people of African descent. I welcome the designation of the next 10 years as the
second international decade for people of African descent and I urge states to prioritize deliberation and adoption of a United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfillment of the human rights of this important group. This will help to confront violations and provide guidance for  building anti-racist societies. Justice denied to people of African descent is a denial of our shared humanity. This International Day is a powerful reminder that we need to intensify the fight against racism for a just and equitable future for all.

Mr Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Statement of the UNFPA on International Day for People of African Descent 2025; August 31st.

Across the world, people of African descent continue to endure glaring inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights, economic opportunity and political representation. Higher rates of maternal death and adolescent pregnancy among women and girls of African descent rooted in historical patterns of race-based reproductive discrimination continue – and often go unaddressed. This year, as we mark the start of the second International Decade for People of African Descent, we have a pivotal opportunity to take concrete actions to end racism, reach reproductive justice and secure the full human rights of people of African descent worldwide. Reproductive justice requires securing sexual and reproductive health for Afrodescendent women and youth. To achieve equity and human rights, including in reproductive health, the legacies of colonialism, slavery and systemic neglect must be dismantled. We must advance universal, high-quality sexual and reproductive health services, rights and choices, from comprehensive sexuality education to contraception to pre- and postnatal care, while ensuring cultural competency and promoting gender equality and human rights. Securing reproductive justice also requires opening opportunities for Afrodescendent people to overcome poverty, including combating systemic racism, ensuring access to quality education and training, expanding access to emerging technologies such as AI, and promoting equal employment opportunities for Afrodescedent youth. The collection of high-quality data, disaggregated by race, gender and age, is critical to identifying and addressing persistent sexual and reproductive health disparities among women and girls of African descent. Recent funding cuts jeopardize long-standing data systems, highlighting the urgent need to secure sustainable investments and to develop alternative mechanisms for data collection and analysis. Statistical visibility does more than reveal needs: It openly affirms the value, contributions and belonging of Afrodescendent women and girls across the world.

UNFPA Executive-Director.

  

International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

FORUM: “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond." International Youth Day 2025. The theme places a strong emphasis on the transformative role of young people in the localization of the SDGs, translating the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local realities. This theme recognizes that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development, but are active agents of change, innovation, and leadership. It acknowledges the need for youth inclusion in local governance processes, as their creativity, energy, and community knowledge are essential for addressing the complex and interconnected challenges of our time. Over the past decade, global institutions have increasingly acknowledged that the achievement of the SDGs by 2030 depends on how effectively they are localized—translated into concrete actions at the community level. Recent reports by UN-Habitat and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) revealed that at least 65 per cent of SDG targets relate directly to the mandates of local and regional governments (LRGs). Consequently, there is a growing imperative to empower youth as partners in SDG localization processes, as they are often deeply embedded in their communities and possess unique insights into local development needs. Localizing the SDGs refers to the process of adapting and implementing the global goals within specific local contexts, aligning them with community needs while maintaining consistency with national and international commitments. This approach is vital to ensure that development is inclusive, participatory, and sustainable. When young people are empowered to engage in this process, they become catalysts for innovation and resilience in their communities. The theme of 2025 IYD is deeply aligned with the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), which sets a policy framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people. As the WPAY approaches its 30th anniversary, the 2025 IYD theme offers a timely opportunity to renew commitment to its principles, particularly those emphasizing youth agency, youth engagement in decision-making, and sustainable development. Indeed, the WPAY provides a vital framework for guiding and advancing youth contributions to development processes. By aligning SDG localization efforts with the objectives of the WPAY, countries can promote their role as key partners in sustainable development, and ensure their inclusion in designing, implementing and evaluating policies that directly affect their communities. SDG localization supports the WPAY by enabling young people to take ownership of the development agenda, turning the global goals into localized actions that reflect their unique challenges and aspirations.

Building on this foundation, 2025 IYD connects with new global commitments such as the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations, which emphasize the importance of youth in shaping a fairer, more equitable and sustainable world. The Pact calls for “meaningful youth engagement, recognizing young people as agents of change and essential partners in achieving sustainable development”. Similarly, the Declaration affirms “the duty to ensure that the interests and needs of future generations, including today’s children and youth, are reflected in public policy and decision-making at all levels”. Localizing the SDGs through youth-led efforts ground the goals of the Pact and Declaration—making them real in the places young people live and lead. The upcoming Second World Summit on Social Development (Doha, Qatar, November 2025) also presents a key opportunity to spotlight youth-led actions on social development and strengthen their role in shaping inclusive social policies. Local youth actions are not isolated activities; they are integral to broader efforts to achieve national development plans and the SDGs. By highlighting and supporting these initiatives, the international community can help bridge the gap between top-down policy frameworks and bottom-up implementation, thus ensuring that no one is left behind.

The 2025 IYD will serve as a strategic platform to: 1. Recognize youth as key local development partners: • Elevate the visibility of youth-led initiatives and their impact on SDG implementation. • Raise awareness about the WPAY and its role in recognizing the youth as local development partners. • Celebrate young people as innovators, leaders, and mobilizers within their local contexts. 2. Promote policy coherence and institutional support for local youth initiatives: • Encourage governments to integrate youth-led initiatives into local development frameworks and decision-making processes. • Promote the integration of youth development goals within local development strategies, drawing from the WPAY’s framework and the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations • Advocate for inclusive policy environments that facilitate youth participation in governance. 3. Encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration: • Foster partnerships between youth and youth-led organizations, local governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, and UN agencies. • Promote knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving to enhance the effectiveness of local SDG implementation. • Leverage technology and innovation to connect youth across regions and facilitate collaboration. 4. Showcase youth stories and solutions: • Provide platforms for youth to share their personal experiences, insights, and innovations. • Use storytelling as a tool to amplify youth voices and promote peer learning. • Document and disseminate lessons learned from youth-led localization projects.

Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #12August, #InternationalYouthDay, #Youthday, #Greenskills.

EVENTS: On August 12th at 9:00 (EST), The global observance of the International Youth Day 2025 will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted in collaboration with UN-Habitat, a key partner of DESA and a leading advocate for sustainable urban development and SDG localization. The event will bring together youth leaders, policymakers, municipal officials, academics, development practitioners, and UN representatives to explore strategies for enhancing youth engagement in local development. Planned activities include: • Interactive Dialogue: The event will feature an interactive dialogue between youth and other decision-makers. Topics will cover urban planning, climate resilience, social inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation, all through a youth lens. • Youth Innovation Showcase: Youth organizations and social enterprises will have the opportunity to exhibit their work both in the community and at the UN compound. • Commemoration of 2025 IYD which will include youth, UN and government represenatives. The commemoration will be held in person on the UN compound and virtually, ensuring global participation of youth and youth partners. Knowledge products developed include: • Infographics: Visual tools that present data and analysis on the contributions of youth to SDG localization. Designed to inform policy discussions and advocate for greater youth involvement. • Youth storytelling series: A multimedia collection featuring short films, podcasts, and blog posts. These stories will reflect diverse youth experiences in implementing the SDGs at the local level. • Social media engagement package: A ready-to-use digital toolkit that includes infographics, video messages (e.g., from the UN Secretary-General or DESA’s USG), and sample content. Designed for dissemination by youth networks, Member States, and UN agencies to increase outreach and engagement. The Youth Unit Programme encourages youth around the world to organize activities to raise awareness about the situation of youth in their country. Read the concept note and Register to participate!

On August 12th, to mark International Youth Day and as part of the Women and Youth Democratic Engagement Initiative (WYDE), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is hosting an empowerment briefing for Young MPs to access peer-to-peer support, empowerment networks and initiatives. Despite increased acknowledgement from parliaments of the importance of youth participation in political decision-making, the number of sitting Young MPs remains unrepresentative. This webinar entitled ''Youth Political empowerment'' will showcase youth platforms, exchange country-level experiences of youth networks and identify better opportunities for youth to be heard in the political community. Register to attend!

On August 8th 2025, the UNITAR High-level panel discussion to mark the International Youth Day 2025 entitled "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," will highlight the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy. This year's observance, organized in collaboration with UNITAR and AFS Intercultural Programs and the Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN, provides a dynamic platform for young leaders, policymakers, diplomats, innovators, and civil society actors to engage in meaningful conversations on how technology and partnerships can strengthen global cooperation. Open to all through public registration, the event will encourage diverse participation, ensuring that voices from various backgrounds contribute to shaping a more connected and collaborative world. In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, youth are emerging as key drivers of change, harnessing the power of technology and strategic partnerships to address pressing international challenges. By 2030, the youth population is projected to comprise 57 percent of the global demographic, underscoring the urgent need to empower young people with meaningful roles indecision-making and global governance. This demographic shift positions youth not only as beneficiaries of multilateral policies but as essential partners in shaping them. The theme for International Youth Day 2025, "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," highlights the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy. By leveraging digital tools and fostering cross-sector collaborations, youth are not only amplifying their voices but also facilitating inclusive, impactful dialogue across nations, cultures, and institutions. Digital platforms empower young people to transcend national boundaries, enabling real-time collaboration on global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and economic disparity. Through initiatives like virtual hackathons, open-source development, and cross-border social media campaigns, youth are not only raising awareness but also co-creating innovative solutions with youth across continents. Their digital fluency allows them to participate in global dialogues previously limited to diplomats and policymakers, positioning them as active stakeholders in shaping multilateral agendas. Youth-run digital platforms are being used to mediate conflict and promote intercultural understanding in regions of unrest. By embedding technology into the fabric of multilateral cooperation, and by forming dynamic alliances across sectors, the youth are not just participants, they are architects of a more collaborative and innovative global order.

Objectives 1. Highlight and empower the role of youth as active participants and leaders in international decision-making processes. 2. Explore how digital innovation enables youth to transcend geographical boundaries and foster effective diplomatic relations. 3. Encourage collaboration between youth, governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to address global challenges. 4. Create a space where diverse perspectives are shared, promoting equity, mutual understanding, and cooperative action. 5. Motivate participants to develop initiatives and partnerships that continue beyond the event, contributing to long-term global cooperation.

Expected Outcomes 1. Enhanced understanding of how youth-led technological initiatives and partnerships can influence multilateral diplomacy. 2. New connections formed among youth, institutions, and stakeholders, fostering future joint efforts. 3. Encouragement of young participants to take active roles in diplomatic and global governance spaces. 4. Compilation of key discussion points and recommendations to be shared with relevant organizations and participants for continued engagement.

SPEAKERS ● 3:30 - 3:35 pm - Welcome: Yumna Khan, Director of the Youth Assembly and Strategic Youth Initiatives, AFS ● 3:35 - 3:40 pm - Introduction: Daniel Obst, President and CEO, AFS ● 3:40 - 3:50 - Remarks: H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (pending) ● 3:50 - 3:55 pm - Remarks: Mr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs, UN Youth Office (video) ● 3:55 - 4:05 pm - Remarks: Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN ● 4:05 - 4:15 pm - Remarks: Mr. Samim Hamidy, UNITAR ● 4:15 - 4:25 pm - Mr. Eliot Minchenberg, Director, New York Office & Representative to the United Nations, UNESCO (invited) ● 4:25 - 4:30 pm - Youth Remarks: Ms. Daphne Frias, Youth Advocate, Box The Ballot, Forbes 30 under 30 ● 4:30 - 4:35 pm - Remarks: Ms. Azza Karam, Founding President and CEO of Lead Integrity ● 4:35 - 4:45 pm - Remarks: Ms. Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google YOUTH PANEL SPEAKERS 4:45 - 5:55 pm ● Moderator: Ali Mustafa, AFS Intercultural Programs ● Daphne Frias, Youth Advocate, Box The Ballot, Forbes 30 under 30 ● Shah Chowdhury, Co-Founder and President, Footsteps Bangladesh ● Ilan Enverga, Youth Representative on the UNESCO SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee and Founder & CEO of Global Changemaker Schools ● Dana Al Anzy, Qatar Youth Ambassador, AFS International Board of Trustees Member ● Yugratna Shirawastwa, Co-Chair Major Group of Children and Youth. Read the Concept note and Watch the celebration of the International Youth Day 2025!



STATEMENTS:

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

On International Youth Day, we celebrate the determination, creativity and leadership of young people everywhere.
This year's theme – Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond – reminds us that global progress begins in communities. And in every corner of the world young people are leading the way.

They are driving sustainable development, building more inclusive communities, forging peace, and demanding a fairer, greener and more just future.

Young people are bold innovators, resilient organizers, and essential partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

This year also marks a renewed commitment to the World Programme of Action for Youth – a recognition that when young people lead, societies thrive.

To every young person: your voice, ideas and leadership matter.

Let us work together to support youth-led solutions and build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world, from the ground up.

António Guterres,United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement from UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

Dear friends, today on International Youth Day, we celebrate young people who are driving change in their communities and advancing sustainable development goals.

This year's the same local youth actions for the SDGs and beyond reminds us that meaningful change starts in our local communities. Over the 65% of the SDG targets are linked to the policies and services delivered by the local and regional governments. Empowering youth where they live is not just beneficial, it is essential. Young people process an intimate understanding of their community's needs and are uniquely equipped to design the solutions that resonate. By empowering young people, we unlocked a powerful and effective force for sustainable development, shifting towards a more inclusive and participatory processes, amplifying diverse voices, building trust and delivering lasting solutions.


Young people are already leading the way, tackling local challenges and demonstrating sustainable development in practice. Young people are also actively engaged in the key UN platforms to advance sustainable development.

At the annual ECOSOC youth forum, the UN's largest intergovernmental gathering with young people, leaders from around the world shared invaluable ground level experiences and shaped global policies.
At the internet governance forum, youth voices have been instrumental in promoting an open and inclusive digital space highlighting the role of a digital technology in achieving sustainable development. Young people also played a critical role at the recent conferences supported by UN DESA including the third UN ocean conference and the fourth international conference on financing for development showing their impact across a wide range of sustainable development issues.

At the UN, we are very much looking forward to having impactful contributions in the process leading up to the second world summit for social development to be held in Doha later this year.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of the world programme of the action for youth, we have a pivotal opportunity to deepen our commitment to ensuring young people are fully included as equal partners, particularly at the local level.
By championing young change makers, let us build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all.
Happy International Youth Day.

Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General, UN DESA.

OTHER STATEMENTS:

• Statement by the President of the United Nations General Assembly on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement from the ILO Director General, Gilbert F. Houngbo on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the UNFPA Executive-Director; Dr. Natalia Kanem’ on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the UN-Habitat on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the ITU on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

PUBLICATION: The Youth2030 Phase 2 (2025–2030) presents a comprehensive Strategic Priorities and Results Framework, charting a bold path forward to intensify impact and drive transformative change with and for young people worldwide. Launched in 2018 by the UN Secretary-General, Youth2030 — the UN Youth Strategy — is the umbrella framework guiding the UN system’s work with and for youth. Now, over six years into its implementation, acceleration is needed at all levels to meet the strategy’s goals. The report focuses on accelerating the implementation of Youth2030 at the global, regional, and national levels. Read the full Youth2030 Phase 2 (2025–2030) report!

LIVESTREAM: High-level Event organized bty the UNITAR to mark the International Youth Day 2025; The theme for International Youth Day 2025, "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," highlights the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy.This year's observance, organized in collaboration with UNITAR and AFS Intercultural Programs, provides a dynamic platform for young leaders, policymakers, diplomats, innovators, and civil society actors to engage in meaningful conversations on how technology and partnerships can strengthen global cooperation. Open to all through public registration, the event will encourage diverse participation, ensuring that voices from various backgrounds contribute to shaping a more connected and collaborative world. Get the Concept note!

World Population Day 2025; July 11th.

FORUM: ".Empowering Youth to Build the Families They Want." World Population Day 2025. Global fertility rates are falling, prompting warnings about “population collapse.” But the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s State of World Population report shows the real issue is a lack of reproductive agency—many people, especially youth, are unable to have the children they want. The observance this year, will highlight this challenge, focusing on the largest-ever generation of young people. The theme calls for ensuring youth have the rights, tools, and opportunities to shape their futures. Young people are already driving change, but face major obstacles: economic insecurity, gender inequality, limited healthcare and education, climate disruption, and conflict. A UNFPA–YouGov survey of over 14,000 people in 14 countries found most wanted more children but were prevented by social, economic, or health barriers. To respond to global population trends effectively, leaders must prioritize young people’s needs and voices. They need more than services—they need hope, stability, and a future worth planning for. As one youth activist told UNFPA, “Young people are not just thinking about their future children—they are thinking about the world those children will inherit.” Supporting their rights is key to sustainable development, peace, and human dignity. The UNFPA’s flagship State of World Population report showcases global population data, including fertility rate, gender parity in school enrolment, information on sexual and reproductive health, and much more. Together, these data shine a light on the health and rights of people around the world, especially women and young people. This World Population Day reminds us that reproductive freedom is not about the ability to have children, but to build a world where every young person has the power to decide for themselves, when, with whom and how many children they will have. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldPopulationDay; #11july, #sustainablefuture, #programmeofaction, #population, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #CountEveryone #megatrends, #icpd30.

EVENTS: On July 11th; the high-level event to mark World Population Day 2025 under the theme “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” , the UNFPA and the Specialized agencies will highlight the need or reliable data collection and analysis tools. This World Population Day is a moment to ask who is still going uncounted and why – and what this costs individuals, societies and our global efforts to leave no one behind. It is also a moment for all of us to commit to doing more to ensure that our data systems capture the full range of human diversity so that everyone is seen, can exercise their human rights and can reach their full potential which will help achieve progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.“ During the celebration, we will reflect not just on numbers– but on lives, futures, and the shared responsibility we all hold in shaping a sustainable world. UNFPA emphasizes that supporting young people to realize their reproductive potential is not only a matter of health, but also a matter of sustainable development. Ensuring access to comprehensive sexual education, youth-friendly health services, employment opportunities, and inclusive decision-making processes are all essential steps towards creating a better future for young people. Read the concept note and register to participate!

PUBLICATIONS: Read the UNDESA World Population Prospects and the UNFPA 2025 State of World Population report entitled ‘The Real Fertility Crisis” - In 2025, falling fertility rates are making global headlines, with some governments warning of a “population collapse” and introducing drastic policies to boost births. But at the same time, millions of people still can’t have the number of children they actually want. According to UNFPA’s latest State of World Population report, the real crisis isn’t about population numbers. It’s about people losing the ability to make their own choices. It’s a crisis of reproductive freedom.

LIVESTREAM: Launch of the UNFPA 2025 State of World Population Report.

STATEMENTS: Read the statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on World Population Day 2025

On this World Population Day, we celebrate the potential and promise of the largest youth generation ever.

They are not only shaping our future; they are demanding one that is just, inclusive, and sustainable.

The theme -- "Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world” – reaffirms the promise of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development: that every person has the right to make informed choices about their lives and futures.

Many young people today face economic uncertainty, gender inequality, health challenges, the climate crisis and conflict.

Still, they are leading – with courage, conscience and clarity. And they are calling for systems that uphold their rights and support their choices.

I urge countries to invest in policies that ensure education, healthcare, decent work, and the full protection of their reproductive rights.

Let us stand with young people and build a future where every person can shape their destiny in a world that is fair, peaceful and full of hope.

António Guterres; United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director on World Population Day 2025; July 11th.

Our human population is the subject of growing interest – and intensifying anxiety. The concerns that draw most attention are declining fertility rates, ageing and workforce shortages, while many still argue that the greatest threat to the planet is overpopulation. The real fertility crisis, however, is lack of reproductive agency. Young people are too often unable to create the families they want, while at the same time being blamed for low fertility rates and saddled with the expectation of resolving them.

It is often assumed or implied that fertility rates are the result of free choice. Unfortunately, that is not the whole picture. Financial stress, health concerns, backlash against women’s rights, global conflicts and concerns about climate change are among the many reasons why young men and women today are not having the number of children they would like, according to UNFPA’s recent State of World Population report. UNFPA surveyed 14,000 people around the world and found that 1 in 5 people under age 50 expect to end up with a family size different from their ideal – and most of them expect they will have fewer children than desired. Of those over age 50, almost a third of respondents said they’d had fewer children than they wanted.

Misguided assumptions – for example, that young people are prioritizing careers over children, or that “selfishness” is leading them off the path to parenthood – can influence policy decisions that often worsen issues they are intended to solve. We see this, for instance, when countries restrict the availability of contraceptives, leading to more unintended pregnancies.

Starting on this World Population Day, let’s listen to what young people want and need and create conditions that enable them to exercise their rights, make their own choices and enjoy a hopeful future.

As one youth activist from Lebanon told UNFPA, “Young people are not just thinking about their future children – they are thinking about the world those children will inherit.”

Secure jobs and sufficient income for housing and other living costs would help young people feel financially stable and broaden their choices about when and whether to have children. Family-friendly policies – including affordable and accessible childcare, generous and flexible parental leave, and promotion of fathers’ participation in care-giving – can help prospective parents balance career and family goals. Investing in comprehensive sexuality education is another imperative that supports informed choices.

Intergenerational understanding is crucial to build trust and strengthen solidarity and fairness across generations. Only shared solutions, grounded in human rights, will meet the demands of a demographically diverse world.

Ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is a cornerstone for sustainable, inclusive societies. Let’s create the circumstances where people who deeply want to experience the joys and rewards of parenting can meet their fertility goals, where they have hope for a better tomorrow that is supportive of their choices and protective of their rights, one where they and their children will thrive.

UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.

Press Statement of the UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office on World Population Day 2025; July 11th.

On World Population Day, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific calls for a renewed commitment to empowering young people to shape their reproductive futures, highlighting the critical findings of the recently launched 2025 State of World Population Report, titled "The Real Fertility Crisis: The pursuit of reproductive agency in a changing world."

This year's World Population Day theme, "Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world," resonates deeply with the realities faced by millions of young people and women across the Pacific and globally. The 2025 State of World Population Report debunks the simplistic narrative of a "population collapse" and instead reveals a more profound issue: a widespread crisis of reproductive agency, where individuals are unable to have the number of children they desire, whether more, fewer, or none at all.

"The Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs), with its significant youth bulge – more than half of its estimated 2.7 million population in 2025 is under 25 years –stand at a pivotal moment," stated Ms. Bidisha Pillai, UNFPA Director for the Pacific Island Countries and Representative in Fiji. "While some PICTs experience population growth, others face declines. Regardless of the demographic trend, the core challenge is ensuring that every young person has the information, resources, skills, and freedom to make informed choices about their bodies, their futures, and their families."

This World Population Day, UNFPA Pacific is partnering with the University of the South Pacific (USP) for a panel discussion to shift the conversation from overpopulation to reproductive justice. An ongoing challenge that needs to be addressed; not how many children people are having, but whether they have the freedom to decide for themselves. The panel will bring together technical experts, academics, policymakers, development partners, civil society, students and young people.

“On World Population Day, we reflect not just on numbers– but on lives, futures, and the shared responsibility we all hold in shaping a sustainable world,” said Keshmeer Makun, Lecturer at USP .

The 2025 State of the World Population Report indicates a global adolescent birth rate of 38 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19, with the Asia and Pacific region recording 24. However, some Pacific Island nations exhibit adolescent birth rates significantly higher than both the global and regional averages. Notable examples include Vanuatu (81), Samoa (55), Kiribati (51), and the Solomon Islands (49), suggesting that adolescent girls in these countries are getting pregnant before they are fully equipped to decide if, when, or how many children they want to have. This means that many girls and women in the Pacific still cannot make the reproductive choices they want. Enabling adolescent girls and young women to have the knowledge and life skills to exercise their reproductive rights is crucial to tackle poverty, violence against women and girls, and inequality.

UNFPA emphasizes that supporting young people to realize their reproductive potential is not only a matter of health, but also a matter of sustainable development . Ensuring access to comprehensive sexual education, youth-friendly health services, employment opportunities, and inclusive decision-making processes are all essential steps towards creating a better future for young people.

“UNFPA urges governments and stakeholders to empower young people to make reproductive decisions freely, including by investing in quality education, employment opportunities, and the full range of reproductive health services and reliable information. UNFPA also calls on societies to address all the ways that gender inequality undermines people’s family choices,” added Ms. Pillai.

This World Population Day reminds us that reproductive freedom is not about the ability to have children, but to build a world where every young person has the power to decide for themselves, when, with whom and how many children they will have.

Tairah Firdous; Communication Specialist, UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office.

CEREMONY : 2025 United Nations Population Awards Ceremony.

The aim of the UN Population Award Ceremony is to celebrate the achievements of laureates and their contributions to the development and/or implementation of solutions to issues and questions related to population and development.

The United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Population Award in resolution 36/201 on 17 December 1981. The Award is presented annually to an individual or individuals, or to an institution or institutions, or to any combination thereof, for the most outstanding contribution to the awareness of population questions or to their solutions.

Each year, the Committee for the United Nations Population Award honours an individual and/or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health questions and to their solutions. The Award was established by the General Assembly in 1981, in resolution 36/201, and was first presented in 1983. It consists of a gold medal, a diploma and a monetary prize. The Committee for the United Nations Population Award is comprised of 10 UN Member States, with United Nations Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director serving as ex-officio members. Nominations for the award are accepted through 31 December of each year.View less
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