(4th meeting) UNICEF Executive Board, First regular session 2026 - Economic and Social Council

Good morning. Good morning. Colleagues, please take your seats and let's start.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, very good morning. We will begin this morning with a consideration of item 4 of Agenda UNICEF Program Cooperation. I will first share a procedural note. Delegations are once again kindly reminded that their statements should remain within the agreed time limits. Three minutes for individual delegations speaking in their national capacity and five minutes for delegations speaking on behalf of United nations regional groups or for joint statements of two or more member states.

Microphones will start blinking to alert speakers one minute before the end of the hour time, and speakers will be muted after their time has ended at either the end of three or the end of five minutes. Let us now begin with sub item 4A of the agenda on Country Program Documents. Distinguished delegates, for the current session, the board will consider eight new Country Program documents for Argentina, Cuba, Georgia, Malaysia, Mexico, Somalia, South Africa and Sudan. Documents E ICEF 2026 p. L1 to E ICEF 2026p L8. The theme of the morning's presentations and discussions in the context of the Country Program Documents will be a turning point for children's health.

Reclaiming progress to deliver a world where every child survives and thrives. I'm pleased to let you know that in addition to the UNICEF senior management and experts, we will also be joined by an interesting group of panelists and the guest speaker. Before I head over to Ms. Mr. George Adjay, Director of UNICEF Global Program Division, who will provide a brief introduction to the run off show and moderate the discussions. Allow me to share with you the names of our guests. First, Ms. Meilan Alejandra Ramos Espehel, a youth advocate and the following panelists, the majority of whom will be joining us virtually.

His Excellency, Honorable Dr. Ali Haji Adam Abubakar, Minister of Health and Human Services, Federal Government of Somalia Mr. Pablo Bartol, Manager of Social and Human Development, CAAF Development bank of Latin America and Caribbean Dr. Hatuna Lamauri, Head of the Department of Neonatology at Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia Mr. Ayub Ibrahim Arabi Mohammed, General Director, Tabashir for Aid and Voluntary Development Organization, the Sudan and Mr. Robert Gass, representative, UNICEF Malaysia.

Please allow me to introduce the UNICEF Regional Directors from the five regions with the Country Program documents that are being considered today. Ms. Yone Konugi, East Asia and the Pacific region Ms. Etlewa Kadili, Eastern and Southern Africa region Ms. Regina de Dominkis, Europe and Central Asia region Mr. Roberto Benez, Latin American Caribbean region and Mr. Eduard Beckbeder, Middle east and North Africa region. I now invite Mr. Larrea Adjay, Director, Global Program Division, to introduce and moderate the next portion of this agenda item. Mr. Laria Adri, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. President and distinguished delegates. This is our first panel. After you approve the new UNICEF strategic plan, and rightfully so. The topic is on health, child health.

I'm going to share a few introductory remarks and pass it on to our Director of Health in Nairobi. We're experiencing a few connection problems with Nairobi. Now, as you know, we have established a center of excellence in Nairobi that looks at health, nutrition and wash. If she's unable to join her deputies in the room, Mr. Douglas Noble, and he'll speak on her behalf. But first, a few remarks.

Health. Yesterday, Executive Director referred to the troubling issues we are seeing in health. And I'd like you to imagine two children.

One I called John and the other I called Emily. John is born into a system that works. His mother receives regular antenatal care. He is born safely in a safe environment. He is breastfed.

He is immunized on schedule and supported by good nutrition and clean water. By age 3, John is growing well, meeting his needs, his milestones, what we call developmental milestones. John is ready to learn. Now imagine child B. I'm calling child B. Emily. Emily's mother is only able to reach one antenatal care point during her pregnancy.

Immunization is scarce where they live and it is often disrupted. Water is unsafe and cooking is done inwards with a lot of pollution. By the time Emily is three, Emily has suffered repeated respiratory infections, poor nutrition, and Emily is underweight, already behind. Not because of biology, not because of chance, but because the system around Emily has failed her. That is why we are here this morning.

We know that in the past year, official development assistance for Health has gone down tremendously. Domestic budgets have also declined. Ministries of health have been forced to scale back the various services we know to save lives.

That is why the strategic plan has put Forward ambitious targets. 10 million lives saved, 500 million children healthy and well nourished. It is really a collective responsibility to ensure that the system that supported John is the same as the one that is available for Emily. You hear the panelists share their own experiences from the countries presenting their STPD's, and we look forward to any feedback that you have. In the meantime, if Helgaard's connection is still not working, I'm looking at the corner there.

If it's still not working, then I'll pass the floor to Mr. Douglas Noble, Mr. President, for a short statement.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. And members of the Executive Board, UNICEF colleagues and distinguished guests, it's my privilege to deliver remarks on behalf of Helga Foxtad, Director, Health. UNICEF has recently established its Global Practice on Health as part of our new Centers of Excellence.

This move positions our technical leadership and operational support closer to the countries, systems and communities we serve. From the very start of the new Strategic Plan period. Each year, UNICEF supports countries to reach hundreds of millions of children, including the most vulnerable, through immunisation, nutrition, maternal, newborn child and adolescent health services, HIV prevention and treatment, essential medicines and supplies, and primary health care systems. From community to referral level. Together with our partners, this collective effort has delivered historic gains.

In 2024, under 5 deaths fell below 5 million for the first time. Immunization now averts nearly 4.2 million deaths annually. And global maternal mortality has declined by approximately 1/3 since the year 2000. The question before us today is whether these hard won gains will be sustained or whether they will be undone. Periods of disruption can reverse progress, but they can also force clarity about what truly matters and create openings to accelerate change.

To seize that opening, we need to be clear about two things. What it means for children to survive and what it means for children to thrive and the systematic transformation required to secure both. To survive means reaching adulthood alive, not dying from preventable disease, not being killed by conflict, and not dying in childbirth due to inadequate health care, lack of skilled birth attendance or because pregnant mothers are too young due to early or forced marriage.

This is only possible, however, through resilient primary health care systems and sustained attention to the thriving agenda. For children and adolescents to thrive and achieve their potential, they require comprehensive age appropriate health services, including for non communicable diseases and mental health conditions, as well as the adoption of healthy behaviours. They must overcome entrenched social, economic and barriers that disadvantage women and girls. And they must grow up valued, protected and included through respect for human rights and social cohesion.

Survival and thriving are inseparable and they require deliberate choices. For Member States, this means prioritizing primary health care in national strategies and budgets, protecting health spending even in times of fiscal pressure, and investing in the health workforce, particularly at community level. For unicef, our role is to support these critical areas. This session is an opportunity to reflect on what is at stake, what is working and what must be done next. Our collective decisions will determine whether the next generation survives and thrives.

Thank you.

Thank you, Douglas. And Mr. President. I'd now like to introduce a youth advocate who would like to share her perspectives on the topic. Ms. Melian Alejandra Ramos Espihel. She's a young woman from Hidalgo in Mexico.

She a founder of a youth collective and has been a champion of health in a community and abroad. May lan you have the floor, please?

Thank you so much. I'm going to speak in Spanish. Distinguidos distinguished members of the executive board and decision make errors shaping our present and our future. My name is Meilan. I'm a Mexico Youth Advocate.

A Mexico Youth Advocate using the most powerful tool I have, my voice. But also on behalf of children and young people who around the world who cannot focus on their dreams or future because they're trying to survive, not only in hospitals, but in daily life with limited access to nutritious food, clean water, mental health support, menstrual health

and the English booth will have to suspend due to insufficient sound quality. We apologize.

Deaths that in a large majority were preventable.

Many children today live in areas affected by conflict.

I apologize again. The sound quality is insufficient.

It is essential to ensure solid systems for health and mental health and provide integral health services and equip society.

Again, apologies. The sound quality is insufficient.

Not.

La salud eslquier futuro Y esta mos listos per ayudara construdlo. Muchas gracias.

Thanks very much, Meilan. Mucho gracias. We now see a video loop and that captures the range of work that some of the countries that have their program documents are implementing.

Route of decades of leadership, long term investments and evidence based solutions deployed by governments and partners, including UNICEF. Maternal deaths have dropped by a third since 2000. Vaccines alone contributed to 40% of the reduction in under five mortalities. And thanks to advances in preventing HIV transmission, new pediatric infections are down by more than 60% over the past 15 years. These triumphs tell us something simple but powerful.

When countries invest in strong primary healthcare, children survive, women survive and societies thrive. This lesson is at the heart of UNICEF's Strategic Plan 2026-2029. Investments in global health are declining, health systems are under strain and even brief disruptions like funding cuts can erase years of progress in weeks. Children are growing up in a world shaped by converging risks. Climate shocks, polluted air outbreaks, non communicable diseases, mental health struggles.

These are among the challenges UNICEF is supporting countries to address through the Country Programme documents before the Executive Board. In Sudan and Somalia, conflict and drought push health services to the brink. And in middle income countries from Mexico to Argentina and South Africa, falling vaccinations, pediatric HIV and child poverty threaten hard won gains. Georgia and Cuba confront demographic pressures and an erosion of primary health care. While adolescents in Malaysia face a growing prevalence of mental health conditions.

What's at stake isn't just survival. It is the quality and equality of human development. The good news is we know what works. Strong community based health care. Reaching zero dose children and restoring trust in immunization.

Tackling factors driving poor child health and prioritizing pediatric HIV and adolescent health across countries and contexts. UNICEF is working with governments to restore essential services, rebuild systems and reach every child. With renewed political will and bold investment, we can protect decades of progress from unraveling, live up to the promises we've made and ensure every child not only survives but also thrives.

Thank you very much. We heard yesterday that if current trends affecting children continue in terms of spending on health, they continue. 2025 could be the first year in the century, in the current century in which child mortality rises than falls. So it's a moment for all of us. A lot of progress that have been achieved, risk being reversed.

And that is why the country program documents that are before the board and the ones that will come are so important in this context, it's my pleasure to introduce our guest speakers. There are five of them and they will all reflect on a common theme, a turning point for children's health. I'd like to start with His Excellency Honorable Dr. Ali Haji Adam Abubakar, the Minister of Health and Human Services of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Hon. Abubakar was elected as a member of the 11th Somali Federal Parliament in 2022 and appointed Minister of Health in August 22. In this capacity, he leads Somalia's health sector reform agenda focusing on strengthening health systems, advancing universal health coverage to improve health outcomes and equity in his country. I must say he's a strong champion of immunization and progress that we are seeing in his country is due to his efforts.

Dr. Abubakar, you have the floor please.

Thank you, Director. Distinguished delegates, it is an honor to speak on behalf of the government of Somalia with a message progress, commitment and partnership on children's health. Honoring decades of efforts by fellow governments in our region. Somalia has made remarkable strides in health despite extraordinary challenges.

Two decades ago, Somalia was one of the most dangerous places for child to be born. Today, under five mortality rate has fallen from 150 to 104 deaths per thousand life passes. Maternal mortality has dropped from 850 to 563 per 100,000 life passes. Immunization coverage has risen to 70% and reaching nearly 700,000 dose children. 384,000 children are treated for severe malnutrition

with 97.6% cure rate. In recent years, my ministry has advanced the essential package of health services, strengthened governance and increased resources through government systems. Thanks to strong leadership and support of partners like UNICEF. Somalia also spearheaded the landmark resolution at the 77th World Health assembly to accelerate the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality, particularly in fragile states. In Somalia and across our region, governments are blazing health at the core of development, expanding primary health care, scaling up nutrition, strengthening governance and financing and building climate resilient health systems.

I attested for Somalia that these priorities are not aspirational, they are operational. Somalia is investing in community health workers, digitization supply chains and integrated maternal and adolescent health services. However, progress is fragile in our region that has the second highest mortality rate in the world. In Somalia, climate shock has have displaced 3.5 million people and destroyed health infrastructure. Disease and malnutrition leaves 1.85 million children suffering from wasting with 95% of health financing.

Depending on external aid, the ongoing funding cuts could close 618 health facilities in 2026. Somalia's government is responding to the funding cuts with contingency plan, a bullet funding mechanism and stronger public private partnerships to maintain essential services. The government has committed 5 million in domestic financing and secured World bank emergency funding towards this effort. We must act now to prevent an irreversible crisis that threatens our children and national development. And Somalia's new CBD is a strong commitment to action.

Excellencies. The global health crisis is solvable with bold investment and political will. Every dollar, environment, health care strengthens resilience, equity and hope, saving lives to today and building human capital for tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Excellency. Yes, we must act now to prevent a reversal of the hard won gains in child health. And yes, we have the solutions to the issues confronting child health. To bring down child mortality and maternal mortality, I would now like to introduce Mr. Pablo Battle. Mr. Battle is a strong partner as we mobilize funding from all parts of the world to address issues on child health, education and ecd.

He's a manager of social and human development at the Development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.

I think we have challenges this morning technology so still bear with us. Mr. Pablo. I will hand over to you now it if there's any noise, please alert us and our colleagues will try to address it.

Good morning colleagues and partners. Caf is the Latin America and the Caribbean Development bank and is committed to promoting sustainable development and improve the quality of life across the region. The health roadmap is not simply a set of innovation. It is a goal to rebuild systems so that child health is resilient, repeatable and future ready.

The emphasis on primary health care reflects the need to restore trust in health systems and to address the realities of the 21st century to protect childhood today. This is where our program bank of Uturo plays a vital role. Established by CAF with the support of unicef, the initiative fosters investment in childcare and youth by channeling both public and private resources. Is committed to mobilize $5 billion over the next five years to improve the

life of 50 million children and adolescents across America and the Caribbean. CAF is the first development bank in the world to adopt UNICEF's child lens investing framework, embedding the principle that every project must begin with one fundamental how will this improve the lives of our children and youth? By placing children at the center of investment decisions. Our program Banco Futuro is not only financing programs, it's reshaping the way development is conceived.

This approach ensures that infrastructure, health, education and innovation projects are evaluated not just for economic return, but for their capacity to transform childhood and adolescence. A critical dimension of this initiative is the digitalization of health care. The most persistent limitations in health systems, a lack of access and uneven, equal quality of care.

Digital health solutions, telehealth and the responsible use of artificial intelligence offer powerful ways to address both challenges. They can extend the pediatric and adolescent services to remote and marginalize communities, reduce

inequalities and empower families with preventive care. Equally important, digitization helps lower cost by streamlining processes, eliminating duplication and enabling more efficient allocation of resources. In a region where fiscal space is constrained, technology is not luxury. It is the essential lever that makes personal access to healthcare possible. The analysis is clear.

UNICEF provides the roadmap and Bangkok 0 is the vehicle to drive it forward together, a signal that the future of child health in Latin America and the Caribbean is achievable if we choose to act now. Each child is a life transformed, a community strengthened and a region with a future that begins now and begins with our children. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr. Pablo Bato. And apologies for the sound issues. I'm looking at our colleagues if we can still continue.

And Mr. Pablo is a leader in innovative finance for children and in areas that advance our health work. So thank you for all you're doing. I would now like to introduce Our next speaker Dr. Katuna Lomari, the head of neonatology at the Tbilisi State Medical University in Georgia. She is a senior distinguished neonatologist, economic leader and international consultant in maternal and newborn health. She's really at the front line of of a lot of work to save the lives of children and their mothers.

Dr. Lumari, you have the floor now.

Thank you. Dear distinguished member. Over the decade, Georgia has made significant strides in improving child health and well being for a development oriented and evidence based agenda to reduce infant mortality. Professional associations supported by UNICEF and academia work with the government to identify the

highest risk period for child survival. This led to a comprehensive restructuring of maternity care, ensuring babies are born in well equipped facility and received essential care. Accelerating mortality reduction is reflected in the decline of neonatal mortality rate from 27.7 in 2005 to 5 in 2024. Further progresses came with the digitization of the registry, integrating over 240 indicators for real time analytics and informed decision making a survival improved attention shift to child development.

UNICEF supported primary healthcare reforms served by defining the model, strengthening regulation, building workforce capacity, introducing integrating information systems linked to the birth registry. This enabled continuity of matter in the childhood and the enabled performance based incentives environmental health risk. We also addressed and notably elevated blood death levels for a variety of measures including the establishment of a national survival system.

And in two regions with the highest initial prevalence, the rates declines from 85, 61 to approximately 20% laying the foundation for long term elimination. Despite progress, challenges persist. Sustainable integration of child development services requires continued investment and eliminating lead contamination will demand CRSO prioritization. Meanwhile, families face more uncertainty due to rapid social changes and risk. Poor communication have reduced immunization privilege for adolescent mental health difficulties and left one

without clear referral pathways. Climate pressure further compound vulnerability at the traditional approaches are no longer sufficient to meet this evolving need. This context calls for stronger unity across health care, educational, social policy and child protection.

Embedding child health rights across sectors and supporting family must become central to decision making. Professional associations play a pivotal role in this transformation. They are uniquely positioned to set standards of care, advocate for evidence based policy and ensure maternal and child support continuous and integrated with educational and social supporting programs. By fostering this cross sector partners association can drive systemic improvement, align health priority with educational curriculum, supporting social policies that

address determinants of health and promoting child protection measures that safeguard well being. Such consolidated action with support from UNICEF as a critical partner, reunite system wide progress and ensure every child in Georgia has the opportunity not just to survive but to thrive. Thank you so Much.

Thank you so much, Dr. Lomari, for all you're doing, your partnership, but for your immense commitment to training health workers across your country.

It's my pleasure now to introduce Mr. Ayub Ibrahim Arabi Mohammed, the general director of Tabashir for Aid Development Organization.

His organization plays a pivotal role in interventions across Darfur, in health, in nutrition, in wash. And he's a leader in the work to get to hard to reach areas, especially as you can imagine, in areas that are under siege. In a constant way, he helps to deploy large scale programs focusing on the high impact cost effective interventions that save the lives of thousands of children. Mr. Mohammed, thank you for joining. You have the floor, please.

Esteemed members of the executive board. My name is Ayub Arabi. I am from North Darfur. I work with a Sudanese organization which partners with the UNICEF called Tabashir. And I am father to Judd, 2 months old and Jannah, 3 years old.

I speak you today from Ahmad Qasim center as someone who survived war as a child and I find myself regrettably raising children during war. In 2003, when I was 14 years old and as violence closed in on our village, my mother told me run men on horses stopped her and beat her face for trying to protect me. I did not know if I would see her again. We were reunited 31 days later with scars that remain on her face. Until today.

When I was a student, I met a mother whose five year old child Ahmed would have died without urgent treatment. With friends and the community, we raised money for hospital fees and saved the child. He is now 18 years old. But unfortunately his mother was killed, his father disappeared and he and his three siblings were once again left without protection. This encouraged me to stay in Darfur and to work to support children in need.

Today, history is repeating itself in Sudan. War has displaced families and dismantled health systems. Hospitals have no fuel, medicine or basic supplies. Clinics that once saved lives now stand silent. Health workers operate in darkness to avoid targeting by drones.

Mothers are forced to ride donkeys for days in search for health care that often does not exist. Children are dying because health care can no longer reach them. This is what system collapse looks like. One month before Al Fashr fell, I sent my wife and children away because staying meant certain death. My children were getting sick.

Food was not available. Bombardment was constant. I stayed behind, knowing I might never see them again because other children had no one to stay for them.

In Sudan, We remain on the front lines despite shelling, injuries and loss because children need care, protection and Presence in the middle of war.

Frontline health workers are the last line of defense for children trapped in conflict. They must be protected. Health systems must never be allowed to collapse into silence. Children do not survive wars on courage alone. They survive when the world chooses to protect them.

Esteemed members of the Executive Board, you are important and influential. I am asking you to choose to protect the children of Sudan. Thank you,

Mr. Mohammed. Thank you for all you're doing. You and your organization and distinguished delegates is in partnership with organizations like TADO, with leaders like Mr. Mohammed, that UNICEF is able to be present in the most difficult places to reach every child. Through such organizations, we're able to deploy community health workers. We're able to sustain the provision of care so that families do not have to ride donkeys for days looking for health care.

Through this we are able to deploy a range of interventions to save lives.

Thank you again, Mr. Mohammed, for all you're doing. I'd now like to introduce Mr. Robert Gaz, the UNICEF representative in Malaysia. Mr. Gaz has joined us in person today.

I'm sure he's in the room. Yes. Mr. Gaz, you will have the floor, please.

Excellencies, distinguished members of the Executive Board. Malaysia exemplifies a paradox facing many upper middle income countries. Despite rising GDP and strong institutions, economic progress alone has not ensured equitable outcomes for children, particularly in nutrition. Malaysia has achieved major gains in maternal and child health through strong primary care, near universal service coverage and disease elimination. Its stunting has risen to over 20% and surpasses 40% among indigenous children, reflecting structural inequities.

Obesity rates are also increasing. These challenges demand sophisticated multisectoral responses grounded in evidence and policy expertise. UNICEF's contribution in Malaysia has evolved from implementation to catalyzing systems change through evidence generation and policy tools. UNICEF research, including Children without and Living on the Edge studies on urban food insecurity informed Ministry of Finance's decision to fund integrated social protection pilots demonstrating how evidence can mobilize government investment. A flagship example is asukl, Malaysia's first CASH plus pilot in Kuala Lumpur's low income flats.

The program combines income support with nutrition awareness, parenting support and access to healthier food retail environments, addressing both financial barriers as well as behavioral choices. By end 2025, it had enrolled over 650 children and pregnant women. Baseline data confirmed high levels of food and monetary insecurity, validating the program's design and positioning CASH plus as a scalable model for broader social protection reform. UNICEF has also supported the National Strategic Plan for Nutrition Positioning Child nutrition as a national priority and contributed to fiscal measures like the sugar sweetened beverage tax and partnerships with retailers to promote healthier food environments. Our New country program builds on the above with fiscal advocacy via budget briefs and investment cases, advancing evidence based nutrition policy and regulation, expanding private sector engagement through child rights and business principles, and piloting a Universal Child grant.

Malaysia's experience shows that in upper middle income country settings, UNICEF's comparative advantage lies not in replacing government, but rather in accelerating progress through evidence innovation, convening power and technical assistance on complex social policy challenges. When child outcomes deteriorate despite economic growth, the solution is smarter, more synergistic partnerships that help capable governments ensure no child is left behind in the transition to prosperity. UNICEF looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with the Government of Malaysia to ensure that every child's rights are realized.

Thank you, thank you Mr. Gaz and for this strong partnership with the Government of Malaysia to improve health and nutrition outcomes.

We've come to the end of a list and I would like to thank our guest speakers once again for their inspiring insights.

I started by mentioning two children, John and Emily. John has this system around him to survive and to thrive. Immunization on track, antenatal care on track, home support on track. Emily has this system around her collapsing and failed her. Her life is at risk and she might pass before age 5.

We have a collective responsibility to ensure that systems continue to be stronger so that Emily and kids like Emily will live beyond five years of age.

Mr. President, I would like to see if there's any feedback or question from the floor at this stage.

Okay, I can see none. So Mr. President, I'm passing the floor back to you. Thank you very much.

I thank the presenters and panelists for their remarks and I'm also great grateful to Mr. Laria J for his expert moderation of this segment. Distinguished Delegates as previously stated, in accordance with Executive Board Decision 2014, One Country Program documents are considered and approved in one session on a no objection basis.

Delegations were invited to share their comments on the draft program documents that were posted on the Executive board website from 18th of November to 8th December 2025. The comments received on the draft Country Program documents were taken into account as appropriate in the final versions of the documents. The final documents were made available on the Executive Board website in English and other relevant UN official languages in advance of a session. Costed evaluation plans associated with respective program documents were also posted on the Executive Board website in accordance with executive board decision 2025-13. Letters from the Respective United Nations Resident Coordinators confirming alignment of draft Country Program Documents with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation frameworks were also made available on the Executive Board website. I would now like to open the floor for comments on the eight Country Program Documents that are being considered by the Board for approval on a no objection basis.

We will open the floor by region and priority will be given to Member States. Those Program documents are being approved today.

We will begin with the Country Program Document for East Asia and the Pacific Region. I open the floor for comments on the Country Program Document for Malaysia document E ICEF 2026p L1 and I give the floor to the Distinguished Delegate of Malaysia.

Thank you, President. Malaysia welcomes the opportunity to consider the Country Program Document for Malaysia for the period 2026 to 2030 and expresses its sincere thanks to UNICEF for the close and constructive engagement with the Government throughout its preparation. Malaysia notes with appreciation that the country program is aligned with the priorities of the 13 Malaysia Plan in particular strategy B4.6 on enhancing children's well being. In this regard, the Program provides focused support in key areas including addressing nutritional needs and imbalances, promoting equitable access to education, strengthening safety and disaster risk reduction and protecting children from all forms of violence, discrimination, abuse and exploitation in order to ensure a healthy, safe and enabling environment for children to grow and thrive. With an indicative budget of US$4.265 million to be approved from regular resources and US$53.836 million from other resources, largely generated from individual and corporate donors in Malaysia, the Country Program reflects a shared commitment and trust between the Government of Malaysia and unicef.

The Program is designed to drive meaningful and sustainable outcomes for children in line with the Convention of the Rights of the Child. We also recognise and the continued contribution of UNICEF in supporting the formulation and strengthening of child related policies in Malaysia through evidence based analysis, technical expertise and policy dialogue to ensure that no child is left behind. President, Malaysia places strong emphasis on national ownership in the implementation of the Country Program. In this regard, we look forward to

continued close collaboration with UNICEF in the development and implementation of the Country Program Action Plan to ensure that activities on the ground remain fully aligned with national priorities, policies and institutional arrangements. In conclusion, Malaysia expresses its support for the proposed Country Program Document and looks forward to working closely with UNICEF to further advance the rights, protection and well being of all children in Malaysia. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegate of Malaysia. I now give a floor to the Regional Director, East Asian, the Pacific, Ms. June Kunugi. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Excellencies Distinguished delegates and colleagues.

UNICEF extends its sincere appreciation to the government and people of Malaysia for their steadfast commitment to advancing the rights and well being of every child. Malaysia's achievements demonstrate a vision where economic progress is closely linked with social inclusion and the realization of children's rights. The country has made remarkable strides. Poverty among households with children has declined

significantly and sustained investments in education and health continue to expand opportunities for 9.1 million children nationwide. The government's leadership in preparing for the session with the Committee on the Rights of the Child last month reflects a strong commitment to transparency and participatory governance. This inclusive process captured voices from a wide range of stakeholders and set a benchmark for rights based policymaking.

Malaysia's efforts also extend beyond its borders. As ASEAN Chair, the country championed child centered climate action through the Langkawi Declaration and promoted digital safety at the ASEAN ICT Forum. Domestically, more than 15 cities have embraced the Child Friendly Cities initiative integrating children's

perspectives into urban planning. Yet challenges remain Persistent inequalities, adolescent mental health concerns, nutrition gaps and climate related risks require sustained attention and action. UNICEF is committed to continuing our support to government and partners in tackling all of these. The UNICEF Malaysia 2026-2030 CPD positions children and their rights at the center of Malaysia's journey towards high income status in a climate impacted future.

The government's endorsement of the new CPD is a bold and forward looking response that aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan and the Malaysia Madani Economy Framework. The five key priorities of the CPD are early childhood Development, adolescent Empowerment, child protection, child centered Climate, climate resilience and

child focused social policy. UNICEF will work hand in hand with Malaysia to accelerate progress, leveraging data innovation and partnerships including with civil society and the private sector. Together, we aim to leave no children behind. In closing, UNICEF commends Malaysia for its leadership and unwavering partnership.

Investing in children is not only a moral imperative but also a national priority, accelerating human capital development and shaping a resilient and inclusive future. We look forward to continuing this journey united in our shared commitment to every child. Thank you Mr. President. Back to you.

I thank the Regional Director for her remarks.

Is there any other delegation who would like to take the floor now? If not, we will move to to Europe and Central Asia region and I'll open the floor for comments on the country program document for Georgia document E ICEF2026p.L4. I give a floor to the Distinguished Delegate of Georgia.

Thank you Mr. President, Madam Executive Director, at the outset let me thank the Director Larry Agar and guest speakers from the different parts of the world for their contribution to this thematic discussion. And let me start with words of gratitude to UNICEF and its Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Ms. Regina Dominkis, for preparing and presenting the Country Progress Document for Georgia for the period 2026 2030. Georgia strongly supports UNICEF's mandate. UNICEF's work in Georgia has assisted the government in improving the protection of children's rights and well being. With significant legislative and structural reforms undertaken over the past decade.

Georgia is entering a pivotal moment, one shaped by years of progress in child well being made possible through the collective efforts of the government and unicef. Together with partners across society. Improvements in maternal and newborn health, reduction of child poverty, expanding learning opportunities and stronger child protection framework demonstrate what can be achieved when partners unite around the clear and child focused frameworks such as the Country Program Document. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the CPD will address two critical multidimensional child poverty and violence against children through four main 1 health and nutrition, 2 learning and skills development, 3 child protection and 4 social policy and child rights monitoring. UNICEF plays a particularly important role in supporting peaceful conflict resolution, building trust between communities divided by the occupation line and addressing the severe humanitarian and human rights

challenges faced by conflict affected populations. The development of the CPD for Georgia was open and transparent. The CPD is fully aligned with Georgia's legal policy and strategic framework including the Georgia's development strategy Vision 2030, the National Human Rights Strategy for 20222030 and its action Plan, the Code of the Right of the Child and the relevant sectoral policies. We trust the Board will approve this document and look forward to continuing close cooperation with UNICEF in its implementation. I thank you.

I thank a distinguished delegate of Georgia. I now give a floor to the Regional Director Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Gina Dominkis. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President, distinguished delegates, I would like to thank His Excellencies David Bakrasde, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the

United nations for the endorsement of our Country Program of Cooperation. We highly value the consultative and constructive partnership UNICEF has had with the Government of Georgia during the development of the New Country Program which reflects a shared understanding of today's key priorities for children as well as a common vision for their future. As noted by Dr. Lumuri during the

panel session, Georgia has made significant strides in in improving child survival. The focus is now on ensuring children thrives which calls for stronger policies and system that responds to evolving needs as well as stronger coordination across sector the vision and the focus priority of the new country program have been already articulated by the Permanent Representative.

So if you allow me, I would like to say a couple of words on the strategies we will deploy for its implementation. First, a cross sectoral approach to develop more resilient system. Second, an equity focused approach that prioritize vulnerable children at risk.

We are in an upper middle income country context, so our focus should be on the most vulnerable. Third, efforts to address negative social norms and stereotypes harmful to children, especially those affecting girls. And fourth, system strengthening and institutional capacity development to achieve results at scale. UNICEF will also undertake evidence driven advocacy

not only with the government but also with development partners, civil society, academia and the private sector to be able to advance the child rights agenda at both central and local level. This work will be carried out jointly with other UN agencies and as part

of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework which focuses on inclusive development to reduce inequities. In this framework, UNICEF will also contribute to confidence building and service delivery for conflict affected population. Of course, we will continue to count on everyone and on your support to

make assured that these efforts translate into real improvement for children and families in Georgia. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Regional Director for her remarks. Is there any other delegation willing to take a floor at this particular moment? If not, we will now move to Western and Southern Africa region and open the floor for comments on the Country Program documents for Somalia and South Africa respectively documents E ICE F 2026 P Elda 2 and E ICEF 2026 P. L3. I open the floor for comments on the Country Program Documents for Somalia and South Africa. I now give a floor to South Africa.

Thank you, Chairperson, Executive Director, Excellencies, distinguished members of the Executive Board. South Africa welcomes the opportunity to address the first regular session of the UNICEF Executive Board on the occasion of the adoption of our country program document for 2026 2030. We believe its focus on investment in children, child survival and adolescent well being through health and nutrition education as well as child protection is of particular importance. Chairperson, our delegation wishes to express its appreciation to UNICEF for the inclusive, consultative and evidence driven process undertaken in developing this program. The outcome reflects strong national ownership and responsiveness to South Africa's development priorities.

We appreciate the alignment of the program to our country's Mid Term Development Framework, our National Development Plan 2030, Africa's Agenda for Children 2040 and the African Agenda 2063. The Country Program places value in our communities by making provision for investing in digital literacy and teacher training, addressing connectivity gaps in poor schools as well as strengthening social welfare, child protection systems, family strengthening programs and expanding youth engagement programs. Chairperson, the South African Government has made enduring efforts to tackle poverty with over 13 million children on our Child Support Grant program. Furthermore, Government recognises the role of society supported by the state to promote the participation of children in decisions that affect them as stipulated by both the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Children's Charter. Chairperson, the Country Program has been developed in full cooperation with the Government of South Africa and we look forward to partnering in its implementation.

We would therefore appreciate the Executive Board's unanimous support for this Country Program. However, should a vote be called, we should strongly urge members of the Board to vote in favour of our Country Program. Its timely adoption will go a long way towards supporting our unwavering commitment to building a South Africa that places children at the centre of its policies, laws and programs. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished Delegate of South Africa.

I now give the floor to the Regional Director, Eastern and South Africa, Ms. Etlewa Cadilli. You have the floor. Thank you so much. Mr. President, distinguished delegates and colleagues, I thank the members of the Board for reviewing the proposed Country Program of Somalia and Country Program of South Africa. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the respective governments for their leadership and ownership of their country programs.

Also, I'd like to thank the Dr. Aliya G. Adam Abubakar, the Minister of Health of Somalia for sharing a message of progress and commitment to advance the health of our children in Eastern and Southern Africa as well as I would like to thank the DPR of South Africa for his statement here and support to the country program document. Mr. President, while the two programs address the situation of children in starkly different contexts, at the core is a shared commitment to respective national development plans, the Africa agenda for children 2040 and the AU agenda 2063. The UNICEF Africa Strategy helped ensure the country programs contribute to both the Ambitions for African children and UNICEF's strategic plan helped the programs to enhance the focus scale, impact and the differentiated approach to programming for children in each country. Mr. President, let me mention only a few points to highlight the two country programs for children in Somalia living in decades old conflict and hardship. The country program will invest in scalable and integrated high impact interventions and sustain the access of these services by the hard rich children.

The program connects the humanitarian development and peace to ensure resilience and sustainability of systems and services while safeguarding child rights in situation of conflict in South Africa. UNICEF will maximize the unit opportunity presented by the country to be channeled into investments for children. To do this, UNICEF will leverage South Africans institutions, academia and the power of its private sector as vehicles of progress for children. Once again, I thank the Executive Board. Thank you.

I thank the Regional Director for her remarks. I know if there is any other delegation willing to take a floor at this particular moment. If not, I now move to Latin America and Caribbean region. I open the floor for comments on the country Program documents for Argentina, Cuba and Mexico. Documents E ICEF 2026p L5 to E ICE F 2026p L7.

I give a floor to a distinguished delegate of Cuba. You have a floor.

Gracias. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President. Cuba is pleased to present its country program with UNICEF for the period 2026, 2030, a cooperation framework which reflects our commitment to protecting and ensuring the well being of children and adolescents. It is the result of the joint work done between UNICEF and Cuba.

The document aligns with the UN Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development in Cuba 2026, 2030. It is consistent with our National Plan for Social and economic development 2030 and with sectorial and territorial strategies that boost the integral, equitable and sustainable development of our country as well as human potential and reducing vulnerabilities. It's also consistent with our country's willingness to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights of the child. In line with our Constitution, our Family Code, our Integral Policy on children, adolescents and Youth and our Code for children, Adolescents and Youth. The Country Program will contribute to preserve and strengthen our social achievements, ensure access to essential goods and mobilize national and international partnerships to boost economic recovery and ensure the well being of boys, girls and adolescents.

We would like to thank UNICEF for its support in areas such as maternal and child health, education, child protection and disaster response. Cooperation with UNICEF has been instrumental to strengthen our capacities and improve the quality of life of our children and adolescents. These efforts, however, are hampered on a daily basis due to the impact of the criminal blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, which affects all areas of life in the country. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the new extreme measures taken by the United States States that seek to completely cut off the entry of fuel into the country. What does it mean to not even have a single drop of fuel in Cuba?

It's a direct and malicious blow to our economy, public transportation, hospitals, schools, institutions and tourism, among other many adverse effects. Today, the children and adolescents of Cuba cannot go to school on a full time basis. Meanwhile, we are carrying out significant efforts to ensure vital services in hospitals, specifically those that serve this segment of the population. In this context, we kindly request the support of the members of the Executive Board to successfully approve this important document for children and adolescents in Cuba. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished delegate of Cuba. Next speaker in my list is Mexico.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mexico would like to recognize UNICEF for designing this country program for 20262031 where we find a summary of the main achievements of 2025 in the four programmatic areas that UNICEF Mexico is implementing to support my country's efforts to to ensure the rights of girls, boys and adolescents. Mexico is a high middle income country with a population of 130 million people of which almost 28%, which is to say 36.1 million are boys, girls or adolescents. This reflects a demographic dividend which is key for sustainable development. We would like to thank UNICEF for its collaboration with the Government of Mexico in order to implement our strategic priorities at the federal and state level through sustainable and high impact interventions that prioritize populations which are in the greatest situation of vulnerabilities such as early childhood, indigenous children, Afro descendants and people living with disabilities.

Mexico would like to pay tribute to UNICEF's permission leadership at the beginning of this new strategic cycle 2026, 2029 and of course we support this country program as a key tool to strengthen public policies, institutional capacities and local initiatives that favor children. The program was developed alongside the Government of Mexico with the purpose of supporting our national priorities for children and adolescents and in coordination with the United nations system. It is based on a situational analysis of children and adolescents in Mexico as well as an external evaluation of the prior country program and in an internal programmatic review through a gender lens and in a joint analysis on the country and the cooperation framework with the United nations for sustainable development in Mexico for the following five years. The country program is something that we are especially pleased with because it summarizes the contributions that UNICEF will make to address our national priorities based on four programmatic health and nutrition education, child poverty and child protection. And it constitutes the main mechanism for accountability to the Executive Board when it comes to the results achieved and resources appropriated to the program at a national level.

For our part, there is political will to work with the agencies of the United nations in order to address their recommendations and implement public policies that are more holistic and protection systems for children that are more effective. It is with this spirit that Mexico would like to call for the approval of this document and we reaffirm our willingness to cooperate with UNICEF and with this Executive Board. Thank you very Much

I thank the distinguished delegate of Mexico and if there are no other delegations willing to take a floor, then I now give a floor to the Regional Director, Latin American Caribbean, Mr. Roberto Benez. You have a floor.

Gracias. Thank you, Mr. President, distinguished members of the Executive Board, Excellencies, colleagues, partners, it is a true honor to address you today and to thank you for your commitment and support in the preparation and review of the Country Program documents for Argentina, Cuba and Mexico. These programs reflect our shared determination to protect the rights of children, strengthen systems and ensure that no boy or girl is left behind. It's also a reflection of the different development trajectories in Latin America and the Caribbean. Recently, I visited each one of these countries.

I met with national authorities, partners and young people and I could see results on the ground as well as the different challenges that boys and girls still face. And I was able to reaffirm UNICEF's support to a common agenda. Argentina is moving forward in a sustained fashion toward the category of a high income countries, supported by solid institutional capacities and recent reforms that have allowed them to achieve significant milestones when it comes to reducing child poverty, inequalities continue to persist and they affect the access of children to adequate nutrition, education and quality services. However, the country program for 20262030 reflects a clear roadmap to address these issues and to invest in human capital when it comes to the federal system, where provinces are in charge of executing the public budget. The new Country Program supports the national government and local governments to strengthen systems and strengthen public financing, and it ensures integrated results when it comes to health, education, protection and social inclusion for children.

In Cuba, boys and girls are increasingly affected by interconnected crises, environmental fragility, recent climate disasters, economic restrictions, demographic changes and migration. All of this creates strong pressures on essential services in Cuba. It is for this reason that The Country Program 20262030 supports the efforts of the government to strengthen multi sectorial systems that are decentralized in order to provide child protection services and resilient social services. The program stands on recent achievements achievements when it comes to legal and public policy reforms and supports social services so that they may address climate and environmental risks. And In Mexico, the Country Program 20262031 aligns with the renewed political commitment to children which is reflected in the National Development Plan 20252030 and is based on significant progress from the government side in terms of reducing poverty.

This plan provides a basis to improve results for children and thus reduce even more persistent inequalities. This is especially True in rural, indigenous and other vulnerable communities. UNICEF supports the federal and state governments through interventions that are scalable in order to strengthen protection, learning and investments in children. In Argentina, Cuba and Mexico, UNICEF's role continues to be central, proving measurable impact at scale through data and evidence, technical assistance which is high in its quality, strengthening capacities and partnerships which uphold systems and resilience. To conclude, in all of my visits to these three countries I was able to witness the trust in these programs, the fact that there is recognition of this close dialogue and that it aligns with national development priorities.

These three programs were co created along with partners, partner governments and this is key along with boys, girls and youth and as Mei Lun said today boys, girls and youth are leading the change in their communities. We would like to reiterate our firm commitment to work jointly in order to take these programs to countries and to assume our shared responsibility to provide concrete results for children with integrity, transparency and measurable impact. Thank you for your trust, for your collaboration and your continuous support.

I thank the Regional Director for his remarks. If there is no any delegation willing to take a floor, we would move to Middle east and North Africa region and I open the floor for comments on the Country Program document for the Sudan document E ICEF 2026.

I give the floor to a distinguished delegate of Finland,

Distinguished members of the Executive Board. I have the honor to speak on behalf of Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, the European Union as a donor and my own country, Finland. We welcome the Country Program document for Sudan which will guide UNICEF's efforts in responding to the critical challenges the country is facing. Sudan suffers from one of the world's worst humanitarian crises with an estimated 33.7 million people, of which 15.6 million are children in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. We welcome the emphasis of the CPD on UNICEF's essential role in humanitarian assistance and children's rights.

The document highlights key priority health, water, sanitation and hygiene services, nutrition, gender equality, education and support for the most vulnerable children, including children with disabilities who may be disproportionately affected by the crisis. We emphasize the importance of needs based responses and that UNICEF has access to all areas across the country. In line with the principle of humanitarian impartiality, the CPD explicitly recognizes that many persons with disabilities face heightened vulnerabilities In Sudan, children with disabilities are at increased risk of exclusion, abuse and conflict related injuries and have limited access to services. The CPD commits to disability disaggregated indicators across the sectors as well as inclusive monitoring approaches and accessible feedback mechanisms. We warmly welcome the comprehensive and systematic integration of disability inclusion throughout the cpd.

Conflict and humanitarian emergency Increase the risk of sexual and gender based violence for girls and women. We welcome UNICEF's commitment to advancing gender and adolescent responsive programming across all sectors to address harmful norms, enable girls to use their own agency and expand opportunities for young people to develop skills they need for their futures. We also appreciate that UNICEF is prioritising comprehensive child protection and SGBV prevention and response. We value UNICEF's coordination efforts and encourage the country office to continue identifying and further strengthening synergies wherever possible. In this vein, we strongly encourage UN agencies and at country level to push for joint coordination between humanitarian and development actors where feasible.

We note that attempts at such coordination already exist in Afghanistan and Lebanon and there are a number of sectors where it has proven effective. While it is crucial to ensure the independence of humanitarian action, we should also be strategic about where and how we act, especially in an environment of reduced funding. In this regard, we underline the importance of consulting relevant stakeholders, including civil society actors. Our objective is to ensure that children can continue to access opportunities that allow them to look to a better future.

We value UNICEF's important role in in protecting these opportunities, including in efforts to advance inclusive, equitable and quality education and prioritisation of displaced children, girls, children with disabilities and the most in need groups. Mr. President, in conclusion, we reiterate our commitment to supporting UNICEF in ensuring the successful implementation of this cpd. We also extend our sincere appreciation for to the staff of the UNICEF Sudan Country Office for their dedication and service under exceptionally challenging circumstances. We thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegate of Finland and I now give the floor to the Regional Director, Middle east and North Africa, Mr. Eduard Bebeter have the floor.

Thank you. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Executive Board, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, on behalf of unicef, I wish to express my deep appreciation for the engagement and the thoughtful review of a Sudan country program document submitted to the Board. The Sudan CSPD has been developed in close collab with national stakeholders and it reflects our shared commitments to advancing the rights and well being of every child in Sudan, even during the ongoing exceptional challenges. I would like to acknowledge Mr. Ayub Arabi, the General Director of Tabasher for Aid and Development Organization in Sudan for highlighting the importance of addressing health system and essential services with a particular focus on children's health in such difficult circumstances. We are grateful for the constructive comments from the Member States, particularly the emphasis on balancing immediate humanitarian response with longer term development objectives and on risk management, conflict sensitivity and the do not harm principles.

The CPD incorporates these principles by ensuring that all interventions are guided by conflict analysis, neutrality, impartiality and a commitment to to equitable access for all children regardless of their location or conflict lines. The UNICEF country program for Sudan 20262028 will support the preservation of systems that ensure access to essential services as well as strengthening the capacity of the health workforce while providing promoting social and behavior change initiative to improve children's health outcomes. UNICEF remains committed to ongoing monitoring and adaptive programming to ensure that support reaches the most vulnerable children across Sudan. In closing, I wish to reaffirm UNICEF's strong commitment to the children of Sudan. We will continue to work closely with all partners and Member States to deliver on the promise of the CPD ensuring that every child's rights and needs are on the top of our collective efforts.

Thank you for your continuing support and partnership. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Regional Director for his remarks.

If there is no any delegation willing to take the floor now then, Distinguished Delegates, we will continue with approval of eight country program documents as the first item on the agenda this afternoon. First item in the agenda this afternoon this sub item 4A on UNICEF Pro Program Cooperation Country Program Documents is adjourned.

Distinguished Delegates, the Executive Board will Now consider Item 4B of Agenda the Extensions of Ongoing Country Programs Document E ICE F 2026 p. L9. In accordance with Executive Board Decision 2009, 11 extensions of ongoing country programs of one year or less are approved by the Executive Director who informs the Board of Approval and the reasons for each extension. The Executive Board was informed of a 10 month extension of a Country program for Eswatini following a two month extension and of the first one year extension extension of a Country Program for Kenya, both of which were approved by the Executive Director. May I take it that the Executive Board wishes to take note of these extensions that have been approved by the Executive Director as presented in document E ICEF2026P.L9? I see no objections.

It is so decided. Distinguished Delegates. Also in accordance with Executive Board Decision 2009, 11 proposed extensions of country programs of more than one year or multiple extensions that in aggregate exceed one year are submitted by the Executive Director for approval by the Executive Board on the basis of a short proposal document including the reasons for the proposal, the Board is requested to approve the 10 month extension of the Gulf Area Sub Regional Program following a two year extension and the two month extension. May I take it that the Executive Board wishes to Approve this extension as presented in document E ICEF 2026, p. L9 Rev. 1.

I see no objections. It is so decided.

This concludes our consideration of item 4B of the agenda.

Distinguished delegates, we will now turn to item 8 of the agenda, the update on UNICEF efforts to address racism and racial discrimination, document E ICEF 2026 6, which is being presented to the Board for decision. This update on the ongoing efforts of UNICEF to address racism and racial discrimination is being provided in accordance with executive board decision 2025-21 and based on the document presented at the second regular session of 2025. Mr. Sajid Ali, principal Advisor, Division of People and Culture, will present the report. Mr. Ali, you have a floor.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Distinguished delegates, today I provide an update on UNICEF's efforts to address racism and racial discrimination. The last update was presented to the Executive board session of June 2025, with a refresher and new developments provided in September 2025. Next slide. UNICEF's vision is to create a workplace where all colleagues are treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of any characteristics. In doing so, preventing and responding to discrimination remains a priority of our work, including discrimination based on race.

UNICEF's work on this issue started in June 2020, when the executive Director commissioned the Internal Task Team on Anti Racism and Discrimination, whose final report was delivered in May 2021 and in September that year. UNICEF responded to the recommendations and developed an action plan. In March 2022, the joint inspection Unit concluded its review of measures for addressing racism and racial discrimination. It was encouraging to observe that UNICEF had already addressed or was significantly ahead in addressing the majority of recommendations, thanks to the efforts of the Task Team. Next slide.

The task team developed 87 recommendations across eight categories. As shown on the slide, we're pleased to report significant progress. In 2025, 50% of the recommendations have been completed, compared to 32% in 2024. 33% are in progress, compared to 58% in 2024, and only 1% has not been initiated, compared to 3% in 2024 and 33% in 2023. While we celebrate the milestones of completing 50% of the recommendations, we recognize that a lot remains to be done and that change needs to be sustained over a period.

We are cognizant that the gaps remaining and emerging issues need continued efforts, as issues of racism and racial discrimination cannot be resolved in a few years. We therefore continue to prioritize this work and further strengthen our intersectional work, taking into consideration the environment of declining resources. Next slide Regarding the Joint Inspection Unit's recommendations as reported, we have implemented recommendations 2, 3 and 4 by working as an integrated curriculum on anti discrimination which includes racism, by having dedicated capacity in the Division of People and Culture which is working on this topic, and by having the Anti Racism Task Team's recommendations as our accountability framework. Recommendation 1 on the UN wide racial categorization system remains outside our however, we have adopted the UN Secretariat's Anti Racism Office categorization for our own use in employee data platforms. While we continue to Advocate for a UN wide approach, this will address recommendation 6 providing the necessary data to monitor equal opportunities across recruitment, retention and promotions.

Next slide now here are some updates based on last year's Executive board decisions on UNICEF's efforts to address racism and racial disc discrimination. In 2025 we continue to provide bespoke sessions to teams across UNICEF including at country level on cultural related themes, with the focus on inclusive culture and core values reaching some 9,000 colleagues. Capacity building of managers on inclusive leadership is ongoing through both the online modules and the virtual sessions. By December 2025, about 27% which more than 2,200 managers in UNICEF had completed all the modules on our program Managing People with Purpose Progress slowed down in 2025 due to activities around the Future Focus initiative, but this is expected to pick up in 2026 as teams settle into new configurations. Next slide in 2024 we carried out an analysis of universities and institutions from underrepresented regions for partnering with UNICEF.

This work will gain momentum in 2026 to strengthen representation of young people from the Global South. As mentioned earlier, data monitoring was a key component of decision making during the FFI process, including at senior leadership level. Next slide as we improve our own data collection, we continue to advocate for a UN wide approach to this. Data desegregation by racial groups and employee engagement surveys has helped us analyze the lived experience of colleagues from different racial groups. For example, in the most recent separation reports that covered the period 2022 to 2024, we find that some colleagues feel that either their nationality or their race ethnicity have an impact on their career progression.

This of course is worrying and this is why we want to also monitor race and ethnicity data in our employee data systems. And finally, in 2025 the Office of Internal Audit Investigations processed 17 cases of discrimination, of which five were either race or ethnicity based discrimination. This has been the trend over the last couple of years and we continue to monitor this. Thank you, thank you.

I thank Mr. Ali for the update and now open the floor for discussion.

I see. Netherlands, you have a floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Madam Executive Director, Excellencies. As the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we commend UNICEF for its commitment to address racism and racial discrimination. This commitment is essential both as a

human rights obligation, but also in order to foster a safe, respectful and inclusive organizational culture. It's crucial that all staff can work free from discrimination and with dignity as this strengthens trust, collaboration and organizational effectiveness. We commend UNICEF for the efforts undertaken so far and encourage you to advancing this important work. How does UNICEF engage with other UN agencies on these important matters?

And are lessons learned being exchanged considering the current challenging context of budget cuts, UNHC reforms and ongoing organizational changes? We also wish to underscore the importance of safeguarding diversity and inclusion amid these complex processes. For the future Focus Initiative. We appreciate that UNICEF has been monitoring the diversity data of abolished posts and has collected data from staff on abolished posts to better understand the impact and effects on individuals.

Can UNICEF share any insights on the observed impact? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegate of Netherlands and I now give the floor to a distinguished delegate of Canada.

Thank you. Good morning everyone.

Thanks UNICEF for the updated information from the regular reports on the measures undertaken to fight racism and racial discrimination within the organization, including the indication to monitor progress. UNICEF's efforts to strengthen diversity data collection as a critical step toward understanding staff experiences and fostering an inclusive culture. Reliable demographic data helps identify internal barriers, inform sound policies and decisions and enables leadership to diagnose inequities and track progress over time. We also very much appreciate and encourage UNICEF to continue internal cultural training and data initiatives despite a constrained resource context. Building on this work and in the context of the future Focus Initiative where positions are being abolished, redesigned or newly created.

We would also be interested to know whether the restructuring has had any observed impacts on the staffing profile, particularly with respect to diversity. Looking ahead, we note that the further findings from UNICEF's office ongoing analysis will be presented at the annual session and Canada looks forward to that update, particularly to better understand how these insights will continue to inform evidence based decision making and strengthening organizational performance overall. Thank you. Merci.

I thank a distinguished delegate of Canada. I don't see any a delegate willing to take a floor. So I don't know who that is.

It's not a member state.

Yeah, I'll give it.

I now invite the Secretariat to respond to the comments and questions that we've heard.

I'm sorry. Eritrea, you have a floor. I apologize.

Thank you, Mr. President.

We would like to thank the Director for the updates on the issue of racism and racial discrimination of the report under consideration.

Racism and racial discrimination must be condemned at all times. All staff members are obligated under the UN Charter and the UN staff regulations to uphold high standards. It is crucial that there is a fair representation in the organization, including in recruitment, promotions and placement.

And that there is a work environment that every UN staff member feels included, valued, respected with support of an effective internal system or mechanism that embraces impartiality, accessibility and accountability. A platform or tool that allows to report cases of racism and racial discrimination without fear for retaliation. And such cases are addressed in a fair, efficient and expeditious manner. Eritrea would like to commend UNICEF's ongoing efforts to promote dignity and respect for all the workplace and encourage UNICEF to

continue building on the progresses it has so far achieved on the entities specific measures. The measures in place should be well resourced and in that connection we call on UNICEF to ensure the provision of dedicated resources to address racism and racial discrimination. Finally, Eritrea would like to underline that the board decision it is still under is still under consideration. Should be able to speak to the

recommendation of the giu. In particular system wide recommendations that clearly require more collaboration and leadership from the bigger UN entities to lead and finalize an interagency action in expeditious manner, to uphold fundamental human rights and to leave no one behind. I thank you.

I thank distinguished representative of Eritrea. I don't see any other delegation willing to speak and so I invite the Secretariat to respond to the comments and questions.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. To the distinguished delegates from Netherlands, Canada and Eritrea for appreciating the work that has been done by unicef. There are a couple of questions that came up. One is on the UN wide collaboration on exchange of its information and learning.

I think they are. We continue to be active part of different interagency groups that are collaborating on different aspects as many of the entities go through changes and some entities are going through, as you heard yesterday, also mergers, while others are going through restructuring. So when we look at the data, especially based on our future focus initiative changes that have taken place in the organization as the culture and diversity team, we have been very clear and keeping a close watch on the diversity aspects of the changes that have been taking place and they are not very impactful right now. It seems to be because the vigor that we put in and the thought and fairness processes that we put in place we have seen seen even with the recruitment processes that we've gone through after the FFIA was initiated. That has not seen a big impact on our staffing right now.

So this is good news for us and we'll continue to monitor this information. We also had made concerted efforts to have more, I would say, fair recruitment panels and looking at those recruitments that took place that were representative. So we will continue to do the work on keeping an eye on this. And also we had the question or suggestion from Eritrea that we continue to invest resources in this work, which we do have dedicated resources in the organizational culture team to look at this aspect. And we'll continue to do that and work closely with countries.

And yes, merit at the end of the day is priority in anything we do. So that that is the first priority we have to take in place when even going through recruitment process or any other processes. So we do want to make sure that as an organization, UNICEF is not discriminating against any group. But merit has to be the first, I would say priority that we look at. So thank you and we will continue to work on the JIU recommendations and push even our do our part in the UN wide, I would say move to have a more coherent approach, especially on the categorization work and having one body that takes this work forward.

So thank you to the delegates. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the secretariat for, for the response.

If no delegation wishes to take the floor at this time, we shall consider this agenda item later on under agenda item 16, the adoption of the draft decisions.

Delegates, colleagues, USG Rider will join us at 12:10, so we'll have to to pause for 15, almost 20 minutes. But please be close as he may arrive also a little bit earlier. And there is a very big interest and so we would ask you to be here around 12:05 so that we can start on time. In any case, thank you very much.

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Colleagues, let's start. Please take your seats.

Distinguished delegates, we will now turn to item seven of the agenda, the update on the UN80 initiative and implementation by UNICEF. The update is being presented to the board pursuant to a decision taken by the Bureau of a UNICEF Executive board during the second regular session of 2025 to include an agenda item on the matter at the first regular session of 2025. The item is now being presented for decision. We are pleased to have with this morning Mr. Guy Ryder, the United Nations Under Secretary General for Policy and chair of the UN 80 task force, who will provide us with an Update on the UN80 initiative of particular interest to UNICEF, as well as possible opportunities for engagement by the UNICEF Executive Board.

He will be followed by UNICEF executive director, Ms. Katherine Russell. And now, Ms. Ryder, you have a floor.

Thank you very much. President, Executive Director, dear Cathy. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Let me begin by thanking you all for the invitation, the opportunity to brief you today on the UN 80 initiative and for your interest and support for the initiative. And I will try to direct my comments.

It's a very broad subject. Try and direct my comments to those areas and issues which would seem to be most pertinent to the work of UNICEF and of this board. Perhaps the necessary starting point for my presentation is an acknowledgement of the current realities against which you meet, and we are working to progress the UN 80 initiative. One of those elements of that reality is to say, quite simply, that UNICEF is a key entity, of course, within the UN system. It is perhaps the most trusted brand in multilateral cooperation, grounded in a clear mandate, a strong operational presence on the ground, in development and in humanitarian work, and a record of achievement.

All of this makes you a critically important partner in the UNAT initiative. At the same time, UNICEF is, like much else in the system, operating in exceptionally challenging financial circumstances.

And in responding to those circumstances, I think that UNICEF has to be seen as an early mover. Even prior to the launch of the UN80 initiative, UNICEF had already taken, I think, difficult strategic decisions, some of those involving reducing personnel, localizing staff positions, decentralizing, advancing digitalization and reducing overheads to protect and unlock more resources for impact. Much of this has echoes as we advance the UN 80 initiative.

And to complete this picture, let me recall also this contextual picture that UN80 builds on ongoing reforms of the UN Development System. We're not starting from a standing start. We build on reforms to which UNICEF and this board have been central in the past, from meeting cost sharing, contributions for the resident coordinator system, to supporting a new generation of country teams and a stronger regional architecture. In all of these areas, your engagement has been essential. We are grateful for what you have done, and we hope that through the UN80 initiative we can consolidate and deepen our combined efforts.

Now, with that context in mind, not always a very positive context, but the reality in which we work. Let me try to focus on some aspects of UN80 that seem to me to be of particular relevance to you as members of the UNICEF Executive Board.

Now, first, let me reiterate why UN80 is relevant to UNICEF and to the realization of two children's rights.

Firstly, UN80 is a system wide initiative. It's a response to the pressures and circumstances facing the system and it is therefore only appropriate and necessary that the system reacts and responds as a system. So UN80 is not designed around any singular UN entity or objective. Rather, its purpose is to enable the system as a whole, reacting as a system, to operate more coherently, more effectively and more sustainably. This brings a number of challenges but seems to me to be absolutely essential to its success because ultimately UN80 is about strengthening system wide performance so that the UN can deliver better results, including in advancing children's rights and the Sustainable Development Goals and in the UN 80 initiative.

And this has come out strongly in last year's program budget discussions for the Secretariat. We are taking a balanced approach across the three pillars of the Charter. And of course UNICEF straddles the pillars in a very unique way. Now what is UNICEF's specific role in the process? Well, clearly as one of the largest UN entities with field level delivery, you are an essential participant in UN80.

Putting it simply, achieving meaningful system wide change will only be possible with the engagement of entities with the type of scale and operational footprint that UNICEF has.

In this context, the executive boards of the UN funds and programs are playing an important catalysing role in encouraging key entities to come together around shared purposes and helping to reinforce system wide coherence and collective action within UN80. More specifically in UNICEF's case, what does this mean? It is that UNICEF is actively engaged and is in the lead, I want to mention, in two specific UN80 work packages.

Perhaps most importantly of all, UNICEF is of part, part of the so called QUINT which is spearheading the new humanitarian compact. This together with the WFP colleagues, IOM colleagues, UNHCR colleagues and ocha. And a top priority in this new humanitarian compact is of course the work being done to join up global supply chains to deliver assistance more efficiently. Potentially this is one of the wins, the big wins that can come out of the UN 80 initiative. And UNICEF can be an absolutely key catalyst as well for sharing back office services at global level.

This is a top priority again in the UN at and you if initiative. Additionally, UNICEF's extensive field presence makes it a key actor in the reconfiguration of UN country teams and efforts to advance shared services at the country level. So we rely on your active engagement in all of these areas, to which I will add UNICEF's leadership, co leadership in the work that we are doing to establish a UN system data commons together with DESA and work from my own office and I want to I can pay direct testimony to the excellent contributions being made by UNICEF to move forward a UN Systems Data Commons Now President, this brings me really to the question of financial resilience. A key objective of UN80 is to help create conditions that improve the financing of the UN system's work, including that of unicef. And because this seems to us so important and I would refer you to the Secretary General's report on the third work stream.

As part of UN80, we are examining funding modalities with a view to making core and joint funding more attractive and impactful. If you look at the Secretary General's report on work Stream three, I think you will find some important data about trends, downward trends in pooled funding and the fact that very often funding comes to the United nations in very fragmented small envelopes. These need to be addressed if we are to have overall success.

Finally, President, let me touch briefly on, and it should not be forgotten, the interplay between this UN 80 initiative and the Pact for the Future. Pact for the Future which was adopted not so very long ago. The Pact for the Future I think today is recognized as a major political achievement and asset for the UN system. And if you look at it in the perspective of the work being done on the UN80 initiative now I think it sounds simplistic, but it's true that the pact sets out the what of what the United nations needs to do in the future, the ambitions, the priorities and commitments agreed by member states in 2024 with a very clear forward looking perspective. And UN80 is the how we intend to act on the content of the pact, the practical organizational changes that we need to ensure that the UN system is organized, equipped and financed to deliver on the commitments of the pact.

The bottom line is impact.

President Excellence is looking ahead. Just to give you some coming events in the UN80 initiative calendar, the monthly briefings to member States which the President of the General assembly has convened will continue. We already had one briefing in January. The next will be on the 27th of February. We look forward in particular on that occasion the 27th of February of hearing about progress we trust on the new humanitarian Compact as well as progress made on the potential merger between training and research entities within the UN system.

And there will be hopefully other work packages as well showcased on that occasion. Then in spring In May, the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination, the CEB will be meeting and will have the UN 80 initiative centrally placed in its agenda. May will be a good opportunity. I think it comes at a good time in terms of the calendar to take stock of how far we have got in the UN80 initiative, where blockages and opportunities need to be examined and how we can progress towards High Level week in September and on to the end of the year. Our objective is to bring as many concrete proposals as possible for consideration ahead of the next session of the General assembly beginning in September.

So let me close by re emphasizing the key role that this board plays in bringing the humanitarian and development pillars to act together in championing shared services and system wide approaches. And a great deal more, as I've indicated, that can help make the UN system more impactful and more efficient. And I thank you President for this opportunity to set out these thoughts and look forward to any comments that might follow. Thank you. I thank Mr. Ryder for his remarks.

I now invite Ms. Russell to take the floor. Executive Director, you have a floor. Thank you. Thank you very much. Mr. President, Excellencies.

Huge thank you to Guy for joining us here today. It does feel like the Pact for the Future was about 10 years ago, doesn't it? I can't believe it was so recent. But I do want to thank you for your leadership on that and then also just the incredible professionalism with which you've undertaken this incredibly hard task of doing unad. And I have to say also with good humor, which is much appreciated as we go through this.

So I'd like to just lay out kind of how UNICEF is looking at unity and what we're doing really to complement what Guy said. So at a moment of growing global need, you've heard about that. This weak and very constrained resources, the Secretary General's call for United nations that is more effective, more agile and more efficient and more accountable is both timely and necessary for unicef. This ambition matters for one reason above all others. And it's because the credibility and performance of the UN system impact our ability to deliver results for children, especially those living in humanitarian, fragile and protracted crisis settings.

UNICEF is actively and constructively engaged in UNAD discussions at the principals and executive level. At global, regional and country levels. Our senior leadership is fully involved and our contributions are anchored in what we see every day in our country operations. What works for children, what creates value for the communities we serve? What can we deliver at scale and speed and what carries risk for effective program delivery within existing resources and in the context of significant funding constraints.

We have prioritized those areas where we believe UNICEF can make the greatest contribution, drawing on our mandate, our operational scale and our experience delivering for children in some of the most complex environments in the World. Our engagement has focused on five areas. The new humanitarian Compact, unified services and efficiency reforms, the development focused work on country configuration, regional reset and the cross cutting enablers of funding and data. UNICEF is, as Guy said, co leading the work on data with DESA and the Office of the Secretary General with Guy. Across these areas, a key principle guiding our approach is that reform must be evidence based and risk based informed.

We need clarity on impact for children, cost benefit and feasibility, funding implications and potential risk to program continuity. Excuse me, let me briefly highlight how this works in practice. First, on the new Humanitarian Compact. UNICEF is fully engaged in this work with a clear objective, ensuring that humanitarian reform places children and the systems that protect them at the center of humanitarian humanitarian action. As part of this effort, UNICEF is strengthening interagency collaboration on humanitarian diplomacy, co leading work on integrated supply chains, supporting the rollout of common services and engaging in stronger data collaboration with the large agencies.

We are also supporting the expansion of localization as well as simplifying the cluster coordination system and through our role in the Global Nutrition cluster, leading discussions with wfp, WHO and partners on clearer roles for nutrition in emergencies. A concrete example is the UN 80 work on integrated supply chains that Guy referred to. In complex environments, the aim is not to reinvent capacity, but to leverage existing strengths to deliver as one UN system through coordinated procurement, optimize global logistics and harmonize country level logistics. Several countries have been identified to begin this work, including Afghanistan, Haiti and Sudan. In January, unicef, WFP and the Department of Operational Support jointly briefed humanitarian coordinators, resident coordinators and country teams in those settings to begin implementation.

This is reform grounded in delivery, designed to improve speed, reliability and value for money where it matters most. Second, on country configuration and the regional reset, UNICEF fully supports the objective of streamlined and effective UN country teams complemented by regional configurations that ensure Member States have access to high quality technical support across the system. At the same time, clarity is essential. Country team configurations must be guided by global parameters not left to ad hoc negotiation. At the country level, mandates approved by Member States must be preserved, executive board oversight and operational effectiveness must be protected and accountabilities must remain clear.

UNICEF is proud that our country program documents are fully aligned with the UN Cooperation framework and nationally owned. Our CPD outcomes align with cooperation framework outcomes and our outputs contribute directly to system wide results. While reflecting UNICEF's unique mandate for children, proposals to adjust UN country team configuration must improve results, reduce fragmentation and deliver better value for money. Sequencing and consultation will be critical, particularly given interlinkages with regional reset funding models, shared services and expertise on demand. Third, on unified services and efficiencies, UNICEF strongly supports shared services across the UN system.

All UNICEF country offices participate in business operations strategies and we engage in every active common back office. Often as the lead agency, we continue to support system wide efficiency initiatives such as the Business Innovation Group, also commonly known as BIG. UNICEF's Global Shared Services center in Budapest already provides global shared services to to other UN entities and have offered to expand selected services where this makes sense. Just as we assess consolidation internally, we support system wide consolidation that is focused on real savings and performance gains. Fourth, on funding and financing, UNICEF views funding reform as central to UN 80.

There is strong potential to improve cost efficiency. Excuse me, strengthen coherence and mobilize higher quality, more flexible resources. Excuse me.

A balanced funding ecosystem is essential. Core, pooled and thematic funding as well as earmarked investments are all important. Each serves distinct and complementary purposes and should be strengthened, not diluted or over centralized. Stronger core and flexible funding alongside fit for purpose pooled mechanisms such as the UNICEF managed pooled funds and matching funds like the Child Nutrition Fund are critical to sustaining member state confidence and funding compact commitments. UNICEF is fully committed to the funding compact targets which stipulate a 30% of earmark funds go toward pool funding.

This underscores the importance of a balanced approach. Finally, on data where UNICEF is formally co leading, UNICEF strongly supports the development of a UN system Data Commons as a shared interagency mechanism to improve how UN data is discovered, accessed and trusted. UN80 also rightly recognizes that we are operating in a rapidly evolving AI enabled environment. UNICEF is contributing a strong focus on data and AI readiness, ensuring UN data remains authoritative, trusted and fit for purpose. It is increasingly reused by automated systems as well as by people all around the world.

Our aim is to deliver the Data Commons in September while laying the foundation for stronger long term data stewardship and impact across the UN system. To conclude, UNICEF is guided by a commitment to constructive and forward leaning engagement, recognizing that decisions on the future configuration of the UN system rest with the Member States. We will continue to support reform that strengthens coherence and effectiveness at country level, that safeguards mandates and governance and above all that enables the UN system to deliver better results for children. The countries, the communities, the families and children, some of whom you've heard from this week, really deserve a UN system and a UN 80 that meets those goals. And ultimately that's really what it must all be about.

Thank you very much. I thank Ms. Russell for her remarks and now open the Floor for discussion. First speaker is Iceland.

Mr. President Excellencies, I have the honor of delivering this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Iceland. We want to thank USG Rider and exclusive Executive Director Russell for the update on the UNIT initiative. We appreciate the significant efforts invested in this complex process and welcome the dialogue with the Executive Board. We also extend sincere gratitude to your teams, especially at country level, who continue to deliver under increasingly difficult circumstances with rising expectations and steadily shrinking resources. In this context, an efficient, nimble and well coordinated UN development system is urgently needed.

The Nordic countries strongly support the Secretary General's UN 80 initiative and expect all UN entities to engage fully with a clear focus on improved delivery at country level. Reform must enable the UN to act as one coherent system with clearer leadership, fewer overlaps and stronger collective results. We look forward to concrete system wide reform proposals that are realistic, risk aware and clearly linked to strengthened effectiveness and impact. Protecting programmatic work at country level is essential given persistent financial constraints. Reducing administrative cost is a must.

We therefore welcome efforts across the UN funds and programs to adjust budgets, streamline structure structures and relocate staff to lower cost duty stations. These are challenging but necessary steps. At the same time, efforts to strengthen the collective capacity of the UN development system must accelerate. We are seriously concerned by the slow progress on the repositioning of the UN development system. UN country team reconfiguration and the establishment of common back offices agreed years ago remain far behind as new initiatives are introduced.

Previously agreed measures must be implemented without delay to support more decisive progress. We request clearer feedback on what is holding back implementation and which decisions or directives from the executive boards would help remove obstacles. Advancing joint administrative platforms at the corporate global system wide level must become a higher priority. The few existing common back offices show that effective scalable models already exist, a point also underscored both by the UN Board of Auditors and the Joint Inspection Unit. We expect renewed momentum towards joint procurement, pooled logistics capacity and shared service platforms.

The integrated UN supply chain developed by unicef, WFP and the UN Secretariat is a promising example and should be expanded across both development and humanitarian actors. Another systematic challenge is incentive structures that continue to favor individual mandates over collective outcomes. These structures risk reinforcing fragmentation, duplication and mission creep, directly undermining the ambition of unit. We call on all entities and governing bodies to change the incentives to strengthen collaboration, respect comparative advantages and ensure joint results are encouraged, recognized and rewarded. The Nordics remain strong supporters of the Resident Coordinator system.

RCS play a central convening role and should serve as the single entry point for coherent and targeted support to partner countries. We expect RCs to be fully engaged in driving UN at implementation and for all UN agencies at country level to contribute to these efforts. To conclude, international law and the UN Charter provide the foundation for all UN organizations. It is a priority of the Nordics for UN to continue to uphold its normative mandates, including human rights section and reproductive health and rights, and not least gender equality. As a system wide priority, especially at country level.

The Nordic countries remain fully committed to the long overdue implementation of these reforms. The credibility of the UN system depends on its willingness to reform itself and to do so with urgency. Placing system wide coherence above individual institutional preferences. Incremental process is no longer sufficient. Decisive and coordinated action across the entire UN system is now required.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Iceland. I now give a floor to Dominican Republic. Muchas gracias, senhora. Thank you very much.

Mr. President, Mr. Under Secretary General, Madam Executive Director, distinguished colleagues. I have the honor of speaking on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala and my own country, the Dominican Republic. I would like to express our position on UN80 Work Stream 3. We support the reform, but based on a clear premise.

It should strengthen what's already working for our region. UNICEF is an indispensable partner. Its specialty and presence on the ground are vital. We would like to highlight three key priorities. First, specialization is not negotiable.

More coordination should not dilute fundamental mandates. When it comes to health, nutrition, protection and education, UNICEF's experience should be preserved and strengthened. Number two, efficiency should not limit our capacity to respond. The proposal to reduce country teams should not reduce access to UNICEF's technical assistance. Resident coordinators should facilitate access, not filter it.

UNICEF should lead the childhood pillar in the new joint knowledge centers. Third, predictable financing is essential. Any reform for joint financing mechanisms should safeguard resources destined to programs for children. Basic financing should be the basis for UNICEF's independence and efficacy. We propose that UNICEF present a detailed impact analysis of the proposals of unad.

A decision making process that is transparent and led by member states with regional consultations that are substantive in nature. We propose that unions have assumed a proactive role in these discussions. In defense of the rights of every single boy and girl supports a UN system that is more efficient, but not if it means sacrificing what is essential. This reform should ensure that UNICEF can continue carrying out its vital work, but with even more strength. Because at the end of the day, it's a promise that we all share for each boy and each girl everywhere, fairness when it comes to opportunities.

That should be the result of this process. That is the legacy that we must protect. Thank you. I thank distinguished representative of the Dominican Republic. Our next speaker is Germany.

Oh, sorry, Germany. I didn't hear that.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I deliver this statement on behalf of Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Ireland, Japan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and my own country, Germany. With the UN 80 initiative, the Secretary General has embarked on an ambitious path to create a more effective, cost efficient, coherent, accountable and future fit United Nations. And thank you Under Secretary General Ryder for updating us where we stand. A path we believe that must build on ongoing UNDS reforms and in the understanding that reforms are necessary, but only if they pursue a clear long term strategic direction which increases coherence, complementarity and impact, and at the same time balances transformation costs with reform gains. In short, reforms must follow a vision of making the UN more accountable, transparent, effective and above all, more responsive to people.

People that we serve as UN. We welcome the UN80 initiative and we appreciate the update from UNICEF on its efforts to implement the agency related work packages. In this context, we would like to make five short remarks. First, as Executive Board, we have the responsibility to fulfill our governance role and to ensure that the funds and programs continue to deliver on their mandates and implement their strategic plans as endorsed in 2025. To fulfill our mandate, boards depend on timely, adequate evidence based information.

We recognize that in response to significant funding reductions, UNICEF had to make exceptionally challenging choices. We further appreciate the efforts undertaken to safeguard core delivery and program continuity. However, UNICEF's work must remain firmly grounded in strong governance, effective oversight, robust evaluation and informed decision making. And we stress that these essential functions should not be disproportionately affected by reform efforts and cost containment measures. Second, based on the information shared with member states to date, we understand that in response to UNICEF's deteriorating financial situation, reform efforts have primarily focused on cost reduction measures.

Can you elaborate how the Future Focus Initiative, including the organizational restructuring it entails aligns with the UN80 initiative? Third, we acknowledge that the recent ODA reductions have required a stronger emphasis on organizational sustainability. We encourage UNICEF to now make meaningful reforms that preserve its core areas of work and mandate, including gender equality protection in line with existing reform commitments. We further encourage UNICEF to seek to work more effectively and efficiently with its sister agencies across the humanitarian development and humanitarian system. Fourth, we thank UNICEF for its continued efforts and commitment to implement UNDS reforms.

UN 80 now provides us with the opportunity to ensure that the UNDS reforms are fully implemented. For us, this includes streamlining the footprint at country level, reducing duplication and fragmentation, combating interagency competition, the better use of shared services, the integration of supply chains, increased joint monitoring and the strengthening of accountability. All grounded, of course, in a clear understanding that all collective action should be directed towards implementation. Fifth and finally, UNICEF's dual humanitarian development mandate must remain central to all reform processes. We look forward to learning more how UNICEF will position itself amid the evolving UN development system, the humanitarian reset and an ever changing financial reality, all while continuing to uphold its role as custodian of the Convention of the Rise of the Chart.

To conclude, we reiterate our strong Support for the UN80 initiative's objectives to build a more efficient, coherent and impactful multilateral system. A system that delivers quality programming and results at country level. In moving ahead with the reform, we believe the principles and values of the un, the values that we stand for collectively must remain intact and all human rights universally upheld. We must seize this opportunity if we are to meet our collective promise of leaving no one behind. The credibility of the UN and ultimately of all of all of US Member States and the system hinges on tangible results.

I thank you. Thank you, Distinguished Representative of Germany. Next speaker is Netherlands.

Mr. President, Madam Executive Director Under Secretary General Excellencies. The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the joint statement delivered just delivered by Germany and add the following international capacity. Firstly, I'd like to thank USG Rider and to UNIFICE for the update just provided. We welcome the UN 80 initiative and the Secretary General's ambition to build a more coherent, future, efficient and future fit UN development system. Recognizing that today's interconnected challenges require coherent responses at country level, we strongly support the focus on system wide UNDS reforms.

And that brings me to the first question and in this context, can UNICEF share how it views the organization's role in the UNCT Reconfiguration Work package for the Kingdom of the Netherlands? A stronger RC CHC system is essential to ensure strategic leadership, reduce fragmentation across entities and enable impactful UN responses that are aligned with national priorities and deliver tangible results. We therefore call on UNICEF to actively contribute to strengthening the RCHC system. UNICEF is currently moving forward with the Future Focus initiative which might also have implemented implications on how UNICEF operates at country level. So that brings me to my second question, and that is, how does UNICEF ensure support for more coherent responses at country level?

Considering the UNHT work on this still has to be carried out. We look forward to receiving further details on UNICEF's work under the different work streams in the coming months. And while acknowledging that these reforms will entail difficult choices, we call on all UN entities, including unicef, to fully support the Secretary General's efforts. My last question is addressed to the USG rider. Looking at the different work streams, where do you think UNICEF can make a difference?

And how do you view our role as the Executive Board in this process? Mr. President, in closing, let me stress that the Kingdom of the Netherlands remains fully committed to the UN 80 initiatives initiative to ensure the UN can deliver more, better and faster on the SDGs and for those who depend most on it. Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of the Netherlands. Next speaker is France.

Thank you, Mr. President, Madam Executive Director. And thank you very much for your action, for your comments Under Secretary General, thank you very much for your statement. Please allow me to first of all make a general comment. Take into account the context we are meeting as an executive board. We do want to pay tribute to UNICEF to its teams.

Their work on the ground is decisive for protecting children's rights. Let's not never forget this. Their commitment allows agencies under the agency, under difficult circumstances to play an indispensable role. The organization is universally respected. Its effective action in more than 190 countries is applauded by everyone.

UNICEF is the face of global solidarity for all of those countries and all of those children. The agency is facing major challenges with France and French people. Stand by UNICEF. In 2025, we supported your actions in the Great Lakes, in Syria and you Haiti, in Sudan, in Gaza, in Ukraine, in Jordan, in Lebanon and in Afghanistan. And this Support will continue 2026 in all of the areas where UNICEF is working, with special attention to fighting grave violations against children in conflict.

The French support the works done by unicef. And this is shown by the French Committee for unicef, which is one of the main financial partners of UNICEF and represented here, colleagues. Given the vulnerability of so many children, our job is to stand together and work together. In 2026, more than 200 million people needed humanitarian support. In 2025 could be the first year where the children's death rate increased.

We count on UNICEF to continue working the driving role in the UN 80 initiative in humanitarian pact and reinitializing humanitarian work. These reforms enable us to reinvent the multilateral system and its impact on the ground. We welcome the efforts already undertaken by UNICEF to strengthen budgetary transparency, optimize expenditure and staff numbers and strengthen technical expertise and bring itself closer to other humanitarians. These efforts need to be continued and our lodestar here needs to be the humanitarian principles and in particular the Paris principles, which are there to protect children against recruitment and use by armed groups. Mr. President, in the actual context of tension and bringing into question the legitimacy of multilateral institutions, we stand by UNICEF and with all of our partners to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

I thank you. I thank you, distinguished representative of France. Next speaker is United Kingdom.

President Under Secretary General Ryder. Distinguished colleagues. The UK aligns with the statement delivered by Germany and has the following further remarks. We welcome the Secretary General's UN 80 reform initiative as a critical opportunity to pursue a more efficient, coherent and impactful UN. I'd like to acknowledge UNICEF's active engagement in the reform effort to date, including your co leadership of the data work package, support for reforms and improvement to the humanitarian system, and joint work with WFP on common supply chains.

UN80 offers the opportunity to address the fragmentation, competition and duplication that has long existed in the UN system. In order to fully avail of this opportunity, we would encourage agencies including UNICEF to continue to work collaboratively with and under the leadership of RCHCs to ensure that CPDs continue to align with sustainable development cooperation frameworks and to ensure that agency competition on the ground is a thing of the past. As we look across the global development system, there needs to be greater coherence and cooperation between and across institutions and this includes better cooperation between the UN and ifis and a more substantive role for local actors in delivery and implementation.

We welcome UNICEF's strong partnership with IFIS and would encourage you to work with others across the UN system to help learn from and build on your experiences. We would also encourage UNICEF to consider where and how it can more effectively work through local actors, considering where the UN may have a comparative advantage in service delivery or providing technical expertise versus

where supporting and working through local actors is a more sustainable approach. I'd like to ask two questions in relation to UNICEF's work work on UN80. It was useful to hear of UNICEF's engagement on the data work package progress. Could you update on what has been achieved to date in this area and what you think the transformative impact of

this work could be? It would also be helpful to understand when the implementation of the common supply chains work will be fully operational in pilot countries, when it will be rolled out more widely, and how efficiencies will be measured as UNICEF continues to respond to escalating humanitarian crises, widening inequalities and the growing impacts of Climate change. A more targeted, joined up, efficient UN will enhance the ability to deliver life saving support and development gains and uphold children's rights.

The UK reaffirms its steadfast commitment to multilateralism. We look forward to working with UNICEF fellow board members and the broader UN system to ensure that UN80 delivers a stronger, more effective organisation. One that places children at the centre and delivers tangible results for every child everywhere.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. Next speaker is Switzerland.

Mr. President, your colleagues. Switzerland would like to say that we align ourselves with the joint statement made by Germany and we would like to make the following comments. In our national capacity, we reaffirm our strong commitment to the United nations which is strong, efficient and future focused. UN80 here is an historic opportunity, an opportunity to strengthen inclusive multilateralism based on cooperation, accountability and specific outcomes. We share the goal of having a US system which is more coherent, more efficient and greater focused on country level impact.

As members of executive boards of funds and programs, we will do everything to attain this goal. Goal and we'll start with the best possible operationalization of the strategic plans for 20262029 of UNICEF. We are convinced that any and all reform is to strengthen, not weaken the United Nations. And this means reducing bureaucracy, eliminating duplication, have common platform, strengthen synergy, particularly between humanitarian development areas. We would like to underscore the following points.

First of all, a reform at strengthening the effectiveness of UN is currently not being sufficiently implemented. It needs to be relaunched on the basis of solid analysis and without hiding costs from member States. Every decision has to be strategic long term. We join with previous declarations on asking for additional transparent information of various work packages and what's at stake in the reform. This is important to enable the boards play their governing roles and supervision roles and do this without haste.

The budgetary pressure currently should not define the future of the United Nations. Even less so are they to contribute to the fragmentation of the system through hasty relocalization. The efficiency gains have to serve a broader goal of enabling the UN system to really work as one UN and to ensure its normative role. And finally, the effectiveness of the reform will be measured at country level. For this reason, within executive boards, Switzerland will continue supporting a system of local resident coordinators which is solid, based on delegated authority and having the needs to work.

And this needs to be guided by country teams. As members of executive boards, we intend to constructively work and support UN in the implementation of UN 80 and to make sure that and we call for prioritizing Measures which are efficient and effective. I thank you, Switzerland. Next speaker is belize.

Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you to USG Rider and the Executive Director for the updates. I take the floor to share Belize's perspective on what we are seeing on the ground. At the end of last year, the UNICEF representative in Belize departed as part of what we understood to be the

organizational strategy, not because of local circumstances. And I think that distinction is important because it signals that the changes we are seeing are structural and not contextual. As far as context is concerned, Belize is doing very well. We're advancing educational transformation. We're harnessing technology to drive inclusive and quality education.

And we've taken deliberate policy and programmatic steps to strengthen our system so that no child is left behind. We do not claim these gains as our own. UNICEF has been an integral partner for Belize and so these results that we are seeing reflect that partnership and the sustained in country and engagement.

It is precisely because that model is delivering, has delivered, that we must speak very plainly. UNICEF's proposed global business model for us would consolidate four country offices into a Caribbean multi country office serving 12 countries and territories.

We understand the language of efficiency, we understand fiscal pressures. But we must ask efficiency for what purpose? Efficiency is not itself a development outcome. Children who are healthy, protected, safe, who have opportunities and who thrive are. There is no guarantee that consolidation will maximize result.

There is, however, a real possibility that proximity, visibility and responsiveness could be diluted. For small island developing States. We cannot just be considered administrative units to be aggregated. Our institutional capacities are different, our civic engagement space differs, our exposure to shocks differ. The vulnerabilities facing our children are not uniform and they are not theoretical.

In a framework covering 12 countries, who decides what rises to the top and on what basis? This question has become even more important in a climate change context. So I just want to end with three clear appeals. First, and the Executive Director has underscored this, the mandate must remain front and center.

Strengthen impacts for children. Second, we need to protect and safeguard the vulnerabilities of small island developing States children in sids. And third, we need to safeguard sustained delivery as our colleague from Dominic and Republic has indicated. I thank you very much.

I thank a distinguished representative police. Next speaker on my list is United States floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you Mr. Ryder and executive Director Russell for your remarks. We support efforts to deliver a more accountable, cost efficient, coherent and effective UN system that maximizes results where they matter most. On the ground. We welcome efforts on reform, but note that UN80 could have happened at Any juncture, we are convinced the same work can be achieved with greater impact by

eliminating duplicative functions and consolidating redundant offices and programs. We appreciate the steps UNICEF has already demonstrated in this regard. We also emphasize the role and responsibility of the Executive Board and in reviewing

and recommending structural changes and request that the Executive Board is kept informed and engaged with adequate time to develop national positions. We regret that more evidence based information and reporting was not already available ahead of this session.

While emphasizing the role of Member States in UNAD initiative reforms, we would also welcome information from the Secretariat on sequencing between the Executive Board, ECOSOC and the General assembly for any approved changes. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished Delegate of the United States. I now invite Mr. Ryder and Mr. Russell to respond to the comments we just heard.

Mr. Ryder, thank you, President. And thank you for the comments that have been made. Let me try to respond to them as well as I can. The first thought that comes to my mind listening to many of the comments that have been made is that we need to approach the UN80 initiative and conduct the UN80 initiative with lucidity.

The word I have is lucidity. That is to say, as we've been reminded by various delegates, we know that in the system today there are elements of fragmentation, of duplication, of inter institutional competitiveness, all of which need to be addressed.

There are also long standing areas where Member States have looked for improvement and change and that in many cases you regard these as. Or in some cases you regard these as being overdue, these changes. That's one side of the balance sheet. But as the Ambassador of France has reminded us as well, there are extraordinary records of achievement from UNICEF and across the system. And when I talk of lucidity, I think it requires us to recognize the shortcomings that we have and act with determination to address them with renewed impetus.

As has been said by Iceland on behalf of the Nordic countries, UN 80 initiative provides us that opportunity for renewed impetus. But at the same time we should not act in an ill considered manner. Change is not beneficial simply because it is change. Change has to be designed and directed to produce better outcomes, to improve impact in a way that I think everybody has referred to. And we are consciously conducting the UN 80 initiative in that regard.

Guard. We are also conducting the UNAIT initiative in full respect of the prerogatives of Member States and of established governance systems. This is a point that has been made by the Secretary General very strongly in his comments to the General Assembly. Your expectations are quite clear and we will work to to meet those expectations at no point, notwithstanding the work being done Under Work Stream 2 on individual mandates, resolutions and decisions and the life cycle of those mandates, creation, delivery and review, there is no question of re examining the institutional mandates, be it of UNICEF or other entities. So a number of you have referred to the need to be protective of the existing mandate of unicef.

And I can very strongly confirm that respect for that mandate and the normative functions that go with it will be rigorously respected. Now, to go to some of the more specific areas that have been asked about, I think there is real reason to believe that the UN 80 initiative can give renewed impetus in the areas that some have referred to in respect of shared services. UN80 contains a commitment across the system for entities to share, for example IT systems, human resource and payroll functions, supply chains on a global scale and with a clear roadmap which is integrated into the UN 80 initiative. And it seems to me that if we are successful in these regards, this can unlock the way for more progress at the country level, because sharing we can and will work better if people share common systems and if member States hold us to these ambitions. And this is precisely what the Unified Services roadmap is trying to achieve.

So yes, we are trying to respond to this demand for renewed impetus in the field of services in respect of data on which some questions have been asked. The data commons that we're trying to put in place and the lead role that UNICEF is taking in that endeavor, we're operating sort of in two stages. By September, we hope to have in place a single website, high quality website, that would bring together the data of 20, 30 or more entities. Data that you have to go to different places to consult and access. Right now it's a federation, if you like, of data without impinging upon the current ownership of that data or the governance prerogatives that go with it.

On the basis of that hopefully deliverable by September, we will be able to look at more integrated approaches to data, the system truly acting as one beyond a simple federation of existing efforts on the unified supply chains. Cathy, perhaps I'll leave it to you to give a more detailed update on where we have got to. But I think on the five pilot countries progress has been significant and the efforts being put in by the entities concerned is greatly appreciated. It is hard work, it is complex, but the payoffs and the wins, if we're able to make these unified supply chains a reality, are very considerable. This is where duplication and fragmentation can be eliminated at scale, with advantages in terms of Impact and economy.

I am a little hesitant to answer the question, but since the question has been asked, I better answer it. Of where we think UNICEF can best contribute to UN80. Why do I hesitate? Because it is inherent in what we've all said about the logic of UN80, that it's a system wide effort and everybody in the system should take responsibility across the board in advancing the interconnected work packages of UN80. So it is not a case and this is how we're running the initiative.

This is why the Secretary General chairs a collective steering committee to create a feeling of common responsibility and endeavour.

We think UNICEF has a contribution across the board to make and it is making that contribution. However, if pushed to say, well, where is that contribution going to add maximum value value. I think quite clearly I would have to speak of the humanitarian, the new humanitarian compact, the work on supply chains and much else, and the work on the development system, which is somewhat more diffuse. Many of you have referred to country team reconfigurations reinforcing the role of resident coordinators. This is a major work item, but it is intimately connected to other work packages such as expertise on demand.

That is to say, the resident coordinator should be in a position to call upon expertise where needed, not just existent in a country team, but from across the system. And here's some of the good news. Our specialized agency colleagues are leading. The ITU is leading the work package on expertise in demand to create mechanisms through which resident coordinators will be able to call on the collective capacities that exist across the system, not simply have to rely on potentially excessive capacity at the country level which might not be used on a permanent basis to its full potential. It's also intimately linked to the regional reset that we are working upon.

It's linked to the joint knowledge hubs that we're trying to put in place. So these are things which unicef, I think across the board in terms of the development system changes and in terms of the humanitarian compact can, can contribute to enormously. I won't go further into data. That is a third area where UNICEF has taken on a lead role. You're looking at me meaningfully, Chair.

So I will curtail my enthusiasm at this point and thank you for the opportunity.

Fantastic. Thank you very much, Mr. Rider, for your remarks. Ms. Russell, you have a floor. Thank you.

I'm just going to make a few comments and then maybe turn it over to Kitty and possibly Hanan if they want to come in. But you heard me say a little bit about this yesterday. I think that was yesterday in My speech, I would just say a couple things. One, you know, we get these questions that's come up a couple times. What's the relationship between FFI and UN80 and UN reform?

Obviously, FFI, because of the demands on us, because of the challenges, the funding challenges went first. I think that we have worked really hard, and you can tell it, we're doing this across the system at UNICEF to make sure that there's coherence. These principles of efficiency and better coordination are consistent across both FFI and UN reform. And we are, I would say, at least, pulling our weight in the UN reform discussions. We're trying to do everything we possibly can to support the process.

And obviously, the ffi, as you all know, I've briefed you on this was a lot for this organization to take last year. I think we have now gotten to the point where we got. We made tough decisions, we're moving quickly. I think we are fit for purpose at UNICEF, given the current funding situation. But, you know, we're also preparing for what could come, and we're trying to make sure that we're as active as we can in UN80.

It's a long way of saying this is a lot for an organization. We are doing our best. And all the while, we're trying to meet the needs of children around the world that are extraordinary. And I appreciate many of you acknowledging that and recognizing it. We are committed to cooperation.

And I think, just as an example, 87% of our offices in the field support some form of joint programming. And I say that only to give you a sense of how integrated UNICEF is. Obviously, we're often one of the biggest, if not the biggest, agencies in countries. We take that seriously. We try to be as cooperative with our UN colleagues as possible, look for ways to be as supportive.

I'm not saying. I would never say it's perfect. I'm sure anybody can find examples of problems. But the message from the top, and I think the message from the bottom is that we want to be good partners across the board. We want to try our best to be make the system as efficient as possible again, always with the idea in mind that our job is to meet the needs of children, and we've got to figure out how best to do that.

And we do believe an efficient UN and an efficient UNICEF are the best ways to get there. Just a couple of quick points. On the issue of the role of the rcs and the hcs. We are fully supportive of that. Often, UNICEF will step in as an acting RC in countries with we understand how challenging it is.

Same with the hcs. I think that the key perspective to keep in mind on this is that these are meant to be coordinating functions. And I do. I think we have to keep in mind, as there are reductions and thoughts and discussions about reconfiguration at country level doesn't mean that suddenly that changes and becomes a more operational role. I think you've got to all think about that, and we're happy to be as helpful as that on that as we can.

I think for us, localization is a huge priority, and that has been the case across the board. Why? Because we are trying to build the capacity, help build the capacity of local actors of governments to do this work, to take care of their children themselves. We take this seriously and do our best to do that. I would say just, you know, as a final point, we're doing, as I said, we're doing as much as we can.

You, as the board, play a really important role in kind of the. As the connective tissue between, you know, how UNICEF works. Excuse me, you know, what our challenges are. We actually, we really rely on you to help us in this process, to be an active participant as this comes more and more to member states. You all will play a role in deciding what this looks like going forward.

And I think. Or you will play the role in figuring this out. And we want to be as helpful to you as we can. We want to make sure that you understand what the. What the implications are for us.

And so I would just say as an offer here, you know, and Andres will follow up with this. But just to say we, within the constraints of, you know, the clock, we. We will do as much as we possibly can to brief you, to make sure you have your questions answered to, you know, so you know what it means for us on the ground, why the issues that we raise matter, and how you can help us in this process to make sure that we're all doing this work as effectively as we can. So with that, I'm going to just turn to Kitty, and if you want to answer some of the specifics, I mean, again, we can't do all that in this session. You know that.

So let's just. Kitty, do what you can, and then we'll follow up in whatever detail you all want.

I thank Ms. Russell for her remarks. I have announcement that I have to release the translators now, and we will continue in English, but our wish is, of course, to respond to all the comments and questions that have been posed. So I'm sorry for this but this is where we are.

This is a reality. Kitty, please. Great. So it's me, between you and your lunch break. I am going to try and keep it brief.

And I make no illusions that I will be able to address all the questions you've asked. But let me just say how grateful I am for all those questions, the many questions and the many interventions, because I think that shows the deep engagements you have with the multilateral system. And at the time we're in, I think that is actually something that we all take heart in. So thank you for your engagement. And in this board, we often only focus on unicef, and correctly so, because this is the UNICEF board.

But let us be very clear that from the UNICEF senior management side, UNICEF cannot succeed in a failed un. And we will lean in as much as we can to make sure that UN80 becomes a success. Because if the UN is a success, we are a success and children will be better off. And that's the way we look at UN reform. Everything comes through the lens of creating better impact together.

I would like to say that many of the engagements that we have done as UNICEF well predate UN at 80. And Guy, you mentioned a couple of them. If I look at Hanan and what we've done in the HLCM on common back office structures, single offices, shared service centers, I think without arrogance, I think we can say that UNICEF has been really in the lead in the system, pushing the system, pushing ourselves within the system to make sure that we are as agile, as efficient, but also as coherent as possible. And just one example, I mean, you know, as UNICEF, with the many agencies we work from WFP to unhr, I think you know all that. Very few of you will probably know that we have a very deep pool partnership with itu, the International Telecommunications Union, because we work on digitalization and connectivity for schools.

That's a programmatic engagement. But on top of that, we have an MoU with the ITU that actually most of their HR management is done by our Global Shared Service center in Budapest. And we've opened up our GSSC in Budapest to other UN agencies as well, really trying to open up what we have established that is a function that is workable, that is scalable, and that is efficient, that we can open up across the system. I think on UN reform, it's of course not a new issue, right? We've always had our annual report in June, the UNDS Reform Agenda item.

We report to you every year on a number of KPIs linked to the QCPR. And we report to you with a survey across all of our country offices that rank and look at how is UN reform working, how are we working with the RC system and how is the RC system working with us? What's working, what's not working, Warts and all mostly positive, always with issues for further improvement on all sides. But I think it's a continuous engagement and I'm looking forward to the June session of the board based on that report on our commitment to work under the RC as the coordinator of the UN country team and to make sure that we are as cohesive as possible with the rest of the UN system as a country. I think we've had that debate last year in June at the board.

Our CPDs are as a matter of principle, always, and I mean always signed off by an rc. There will not be one CPD that comes to this board that does not have a letter signed by the rc that the RC has seen this and approved this, of course, on top of the approval of the host country where we work. So we're really trying to make sure that we have it all aligned, not just in principle and verbally, but in writing because we care about making sure that we are consistent, cohesive and collaborative with our peers.

I would like to say that the reform efforts, though it's always easiest to look at reform efforts from a cost efficiency perspective because it's nicely quantifiable. We have saved so many hundred million dollars. We actually have done a lot of work well beyond cost savings and maybe a few things. I wanted to mention, for example, the fact that we now have not just in our organization, in unicef, but with the quint. So with iom, unhcr, WFP and ocha, we've really come together on humanitarian diplomacy.

We are facing a world where increasingly we see issues with humanitarian law being violated. We have increasing issues with access. And before, strange as that may sound, we were all going out for humanitarian diplomacy, but we weren't using that muscle collectively. That has really changed as part of UN reform and UN at 80 on the supply chain. I know we focus on the cost efficiencies that we can get by market shaping and global procurement together.

It's actually much more important that we look at the agility and how fast we can get supplies to the people that need it. That's where the in country logistic and other logistical measures that we do with UNHCR and WFP are making tangible results. Yes, cost saving, but more importantly saving lives much faster. A much less quantifiable goal is how we have rationalized and streamlined the cluster system in the humanitarian system. So these things don't have material like we have now quantified this as savings.

No, this is about how we come together as a system, as sister agencies, to deliver better and faster.

Cathy, you've already spoken on the importance of the RC system. It's always been our aim to have a well resourced, impartial and effective RC system that coordinates all of us at country level without inhibiting our ability to reach ministers when we need to. On child rights violations, on many of the issues we work on, because we have to work together and we have to maintain access to ministerial levels. There were a couple of questions on the UN country team configuration and the regional reset. These are the questions that at this point we can't really answer because that discussion, as Guy knows, we're in the midst of that discussion.

And so where that discussion goes and how we fit in as unicef, that is still very much a lively debate. It's an engaging debate and I'm looking forward to, to the end of that, as I'm sure Guy is, who must be very tired of leading so many of these reform efforts. But you can count on UNICEF to remain committed, remain engaged, making sure that we keep standing for every child everywhere. Thank you. Thank you very much.

I thank Mr. Ryder, Ms. Russell and Ms. Van der Heyden for your remarks and answering the questions. If they. If there is no delegation wishing to take the floor at this time, we shall consider this agenda item later on under Agenda Item 16, the adoption of draft decisions. Before we adjourn for the morning, I believe that Secretary of executive board, Mr. Andres Franco would like to make an announcement. Thank you, Mr. President.

A couple of announcements. First, on the informal consultations, we will do it immediately following the session in this room, as we've done yesterday as well. But second, I need to let you know that the Director of Evaluation, Mr. McCouch, had an unfortunate incident this morning that prevents him from being today in person. So his deputy will represent him and

I just want you to not be surprised by that. And his deputy will also be in the room as a focal point point for the negotiations. And we have also inverted the order of consideration of the evaluation on the work of early childhood development will come first, and then we will do the plan for global evaluations.

And that's basically because we have a person connecting from Nigeria and it's just very late. So for you to consider, those are my announcements. Could I just add one thing, just to say, because it sounds so mysterious Rob fell on the ice. Many of you have probably had the same experience. He will be fine.

But it just means he can't be here today. So I didn't want anyone to be too alarmed. Thanks.

I thank the Secretary for his announcement. This brings us to the end of this morning's session.

Special thanks for translators who extended their work. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you. We will see at 3pm sharp. Thank you.