The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly takes place amid global funding cuts, cascading crises - from conflict and displacement to disease outbreaks and climate shocks - and growing disregard for children's rights. These pressures risk reversing decades of progress, putting millions of young lives and futures at stake.
As leaders gather in New York, UNICEF is calling for urgent action to protect children and invest in their future. Governments must safeguard domestic social spending and ringfence essential services for children, especially in fragile contexts. Donors and investors need to prioritize children in overseas spending, debt relief, and climate finance, ensuring flexible and predictable humanitarian funding. The global community must combine global funding with innovative financing and partnerships, while committing to upholding children's rights.
Media opportunities include:
Monday 22nd September, 7:30 - 8:45 AM
United to Finish the Job: High-Level Side Event on Polio Eradication
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), UNICEF, WHO, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) will host a high-level side event on polio eradication, featuring two panel discussions:
- Polio Today - A Shared Responsibility will bring together GPEI leadership with key partners, including UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, and KSRelief Supervisor General Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah.
- Eradication and Beyond - Polio Infrastructure and Resilience will highlight the role of long-standing and emerging donors alongside leaders from polio-affected countries. Speakers include Nigeria's Health Minister Dr. Muhammed Ali Pate and Acting Director-General of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity Dr. Shamma Khalifa Al Mazrouei.
Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York.
