Thank you, President, and thank you, Executive Director Russell.
The United States acknowledges UNICEF's role in addressing global humanitarian challenges and its ongoing efforts to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable children worldwide.
This board session occurs at a critical time for the UN and the UN Development System. With UN80 reform discussions underway and the draft UNICEF strategic plan under review, we encourage UNICEF to focus on effective delivery where it matters most – for the individual child. We ask UNICEF to strengthen its governance and risk management systems further and enhance its evaluation capacity. Additionally, we urge greater innovation in financing, including expanded partnerships with the private sector and exploration of alternative funding models to enhance program sustainability.
We encourage UNICEF to focus on its core mandate. We are strongly opposed to the current draft of the strategic plan due to references to concepts like diversity, equity, inclusion, gender ideology, and abortion.
The United States understands the vital role that family plays in a child's life and development. President Trump believes that parents know how best to raise their children and create a thriving society. We firmly believe that harmful gender ideology is detrimental to children's well-being and development by usurping basic parental authority. We believe parental authority is key in health education.
Under the Trump Administration, it is U.S. policy not to fund or support procedures related to a child's transition from one sex to another. The administration will enforce laws prohibiting or limiting these procedures rigorously. We call on UNICEF to protect children from such procedures.
The Trump Administration is committed to supporting families, promoting women's health, protecting children at all stages of life, and reaffirms there is no international right to abortion.
The United States looks forward to collaborating with UNICEF and all Member States in advancing children's well-being effectively.