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.
