OPENING CEREMONY
“Making a Difference through Sustained Political Commitment”
Political leaders have the ability to serve as powerful, visible advocates for national and global family planning. Family planning cuts across many critical issues: human rights, women’s rights and empowerment, sustainable development, environment, poverty and equity. When political leaders support family planning, they have the power to impact all of these issues while also transforming public opinion and shifting social norms. Political leadership and support at the international, national and community level is critical to the success of family planning programs. Following a welcome to the conference and an introduction to Ethiopia, this plenary featured international political leaders who highlighted the importance and impact of sustained political commitment on family planning.
Click on the photo or name of each speaker to hear her/his address.
His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn was born on 19 July 1965. He has a master’s degree in Engineering and in Organizational Leadership, and taught for 12 years at the Arba Minch Institute of Technology, where he also served as Registrar, Vice-Dean, and Dean. A dedicated civil servant, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn has held political positions at the regional and federal level, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. H.E Hailemariam Desalegn is married and a father of three.
Her Excellency Joyce Banda (video message)
President of the Republic of Malawi
Her Excellency, Mrs. Joyce Hilda Banda is the President of the Republic of Malawi. She took her oath of office on 7 April, 2012. She is Malawi’s first female President and Africa’s Second Female Head of State. She holds a Bachelor of Social Studies in Gender Studies from the Atlantic International University, USA and a Diploma in Management of NGOs from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Centre in Turch, Italy. Currently, she is completing a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership at Royal Roads University in Canada.
Her Excellency Yingluck Shinawatra (video message)
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Yingluck Shinawatra is Thailand’s first female Prime Minister. Promoting the welfare of women and children is one of her national priorities. The Thai Women Development Fund, one of her many initiatives, will provide 100 million baht (US $3.3 million) to 77 provinces with the objective of supporting women’s participation in the national development process, ensuring the protection of women’s rights, improving legislation in addressing domestic violence, and improving accessibility to education, funds and healthcare for women.
Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Dr. Dlamini-Zuma is a lady of noble character and a visionary leader. She possesses an incredible passion for the African continent and its developmental ambitions, and she is a champion of the renewal of Africa. Working as part of the then Organisation for the African Unity (OAU) collective, she participated in a number of OAU delegations as a midwife to peace, stability, development and prosperity to the African continent.
Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin
Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund
Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, a physician and public health expert, is the fourth Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He holds the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. At UNFPA, he has introduced major reforms to make the Fund more field-focused and results-oriented. Dr. Osotimehin has also intensified efforts to promote the sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights of women and young people, especially adolescent girls.
His Excellency Dr. Kesete-birhan Admasu
Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
H.E. Dr. Kesete-birhan Admasu has served as the Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia since November 2012. A medical doctor by training with a master’s degree in Public Health, he has dedicated his entire career to public service and scientific research. H.E was nominated as an outstanding 2013 Harvard Health Leader.
Ambassador Patricia Haslach
U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia
Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia in August, 2013. Ambassador Haslach previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of State’s newest bureau, the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Prior to this, Ambassador Haslach was the State Department’s Coordinator for Iraq Transition in the Office of the Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources. In this position, she was responsible for coordinating all Washington-based State Department aspects of the U.S. transition from military to civilian operations culminating with the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops at the end of December 2011.