Dr. Osotimehin’s qualifications and extensive experience position him well to lead the global agenda for population and development and to promote the right to sexual and reproductive health.
United Nations, New York (Vocus) November 19, 2010
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, today welcomed the United Nations Secretary-General's announcement naming Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin as Executive Director of UNFPA, to succeed Thoraya Ahmed Obaid once her tenure ends on 31 December.
Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, a Nigerian, is currently Professor of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and the African Spokesperson for the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Prior to this, he served as Minister of Health of Nigeria and was also Director-General of the country’s National Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS. In addition, he was a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies.
"Dr. Osotimehin’s qualifications and extensive experience position him well to lead the global agenda for population and development and to promote the right to sexual and reproductive health," said Ms. Obaid. "We will work closely with him to ensure a successful transition."
Dr. Osotimehin, who will assume office on 1 January, will become the fourth Executive Director of UNFPA since it became operational in 1969.
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.
Contact Information:
Abubakar Dungus, Tel: +1 212 297 5031; dungus(at)unfpa(dot)org
Omar Gharzeddine, Tel: +1 212 297 5028; gharzeddine(at)unfpa(dot)org
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