UNFPA EXECUTIVE BOARD, FIRST REGULAR SESSION
Statement by H.E. Ms. Beth Delaney, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
4 February 2026
Thank you, Executive Director, for your update to the Board. In this dynamic environment, we welcome the chance to hear about progress in implementing UNFPA’s critical mandate.
My intervention today will focus on four main points and one question.
First, I wish to reaffirm the value Australia continues to place on our strategic partnership and the essential contribution UNFPA makes to strengthening health, human rights and sustainable development.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights are not optional. In a world striving for peace and justice for all, they are indispensable.
Sexual health, sexual rights, reproductive health and reproductive rights are issues that are equally relevant to, and necessary for, every person – women, girls, men and boys. UNFPA’s work for all people is vital.
As the UN80 process advances, Australia reaffirms its full commitment to UNFPA’s mandate and to the delivery of its life-saving, life-affirming work, as set out in the newly adopted 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.
Second, we note the Optimisation process has now almost concluded. We remain keen to understand whether, and how, the Optimisation process delivers results across different regions, including for the Pacific region, and we underscore the need for transparent and accountable reporting on outcomes and lessons learned.
Third, we value the important work UNFPA is undertaking in the Pacific, where UNFPA staff continue to demonstrate commitment to the most remote Member States, enabling strong collaboration central to delivering meaningful change.
Fourth, we welcome UNFPA’s strengthened commitment to accountability and localisation in humanitarian response in the Pacific region. This reinforces the importance of strong local leadership, ensuring effective action, and that no one is left behind when crises occur.
We welcome UNFPA’s management response to the report on the ‘Formative Evaluation of Leave No One Behind’ and underscore our appreciation for UNFPA’s focus on this work particularly in humanitarian events.
Australia encourages UNFPA to maintain focus and provide further updates on action to ensure “Leave No One Behind” is embedded successfully into humanitarian responses.
I would like to close with a question:
Given the Asia-Pacific region’s demographic shifts, we would appreciate an update on how the Strategic Plan’s new fourth pillar is progressing, including the level of attention and resources being directed to the Asia–Pacific region on this important matter.
Thank you.