Executive Board: Protecting and advancing progress for every child to survive and thrive

NEW YORK, United States of America, 17 February 2026 ─ The 2026 first regular session of the UNICEF Executive Board ended last Thursday morning. During the course of the two-and-a-half day session, the Board discussed UNICEF’s implementation of UN80, the system-wide initiative to transform how the United Nations works; the UNICEF Plan for global evaluations, 2026–2029 to ensure accountability and informed decision-making while managing risk; an update on the work of the National Committees for UNICEF, active both in vital fundraising and transformational youth engagement; and other financial, programme, and evaluation and oversight items.

A highlight of the session was the presentation and endorsement of eight new country programme documents. This offered the timely opportunity to bring child health front and centre of the discussions at the Board. Recognizing that what is at stake is not just survival but the quality and equality of human development, presenters emphasized one fundamental truth: when countries invest in primary healthcare, children and women survive – and whole societies thrive.

Opening the session on Tuesday morning, UNICEF Executive Board President for 2026, H.E. Mr. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations, brought attention to inclusive governance as a priority of this year’s presidency. He also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence for better access and quality in education. A special mention went to the UNICEF staff, with particular recognition paid to those working in hardship duty stations. “Your professionalism, courage and unwavering commitment to children and communities under the most difficult circumstances are the foundation of the organization’s credibility and impact. We are very grateful for your service,” he said.
 

In her introductory remarks, Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that decades of progress in child survival could be lost for the first time in 30 years. “Child and maternal health continue to be key priorities for UNICEF. Our new global Centre of Excellence in Nairobi focuses on child survival. It brings together our technical assets in health, nutrition and WASH [water, sanitation and hygiene] to provide top-level expertise and knowledge to countries burdened with high levels of child and maternal mortality,” she reported.
 

Child health: New country programmes

On Wednesday morning, the Board was requested to approve eight new country programme documents for Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Georgia, Malaysia, Somalia, South Africa and the Sudan.

During a thematic discussion held in the context of the presentation of the new country programmes, child health emerged with a dual focus: reclaiming progress to deliver a world where every child survives and thrives; and strengthening integrated action on mental health and noncommunicable diseases as core components of child health and development increasingly affecting children.

Mr. George Laryea-Adjei, Director of the Global Programme Division, set the scene for the session, highlighting investments in child health not only as a moral obligation and legal responsibility under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but also as one of the smartest investments that Governments can make. This was reinforced by Dr. Douglas Noble, UNICEF Associate Director of Health, who presented on behalf of Ms. Helga Fogstad, Director of Health, drawing attention to the remarkable gains achieved through collective effort, with annual under-five deaths falling below 5 million for the first time in history. Immunization is averting nearly 4.2 million child deaths every year, and global maternal mortality has declined by approximately one third since 2000.

However, this foundation is increasingly fragile. Sudden cuts in development funding are halting vital services and revealing serious gaps in health systems. At the same time, misinformation is eroding public trust in vaccines, while conflict, climate shocks and economic instability are displacing the most vulnerable further away from even the most basic healthcare. These pressures are also intensifying psychosocial distress among children, adolescents and caregivers, underscoring the need for primary healthcare systems that address both physical and mental health together.

“The question before us today is whether these hard-won gains will be sustained – or whether they will be undone,” said Dr. Noble. To survive means reaching adulthood alive, thriving requires a much more comprehensive, potential-affirming approach that integrates mental health, psychosocial well-being and adolescent development alongside physical health outcomes. “Survival and thriving are inseparable – and they require deliberate choices,” he added. “For Member States, this means prioritizing primary healthcare in national strategies and budgets; protecting health spending even in times of fiscal pressure; and investing in the health workforce, particularly at community level.”

In the panel discussion that followed, speakers highlighted how progress is at risk even in middle-income countries. Vaccination rates are falling in Argentina. South Africa is facing a reversal in child survival. And there are growing mental health needs, including rising suicidal behaviour among adolescents in Malaysia.

The panellists, representing Government, the United Nations, academia, financing institutions, civil society and youth, reaffirmed that health is not – and should not be – a privilege. For children and adolescents to thrive, they need comprehensive healthcare appropriate for their age, including for long-term illnesses and integrated mental health and psychosocial support across health, education and protection systems. Importantly, they must adopt healthy behaviours and be allowed to grow up in a world that values, protects and includes them.

Mr. Ayoub Ibrahim Arabi Mohammed, General Director, Tabasheer for Aid and Voluntary Development Organization, chronicled how history is repeating itself in the Sudan and urged Member States to “choose to protect the children of 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...Mothers are forced to ride donkeys for days in search for healthcare that often does not exist. Children are dying because healthcare can no longer reach them,” he said.

“Frontline health workers are the last line of defence 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,” he added.

A clear message emerged from all contributions: Without resilient primary healthcare and sustained attention to thriving, today’s survival gains will be lost. This is why UNICEF is urging Governments to take action – and to do so in five transformative areas: making primary care stronger; restoring trust in immunization; tackling key contributing factors to children’s health (e.g. malnutrition, clean water, and sanitation); prioritizing paediatric HIV and adolescent health; and embedding integrated approaches to mental health and noncommunicable diseases across primary health care and adolescent health strategies).

The pathway forward is clear – and achievable. UNICEF is ready to support Member States to deliver the promise at the core of its Strategic Plan, 2026–2029: that children not only survive, but thrive, protected by strong primary healthcare and resilient systems capable of withstanding the shocks of a turbulent era. The plan is there, with solutions that work.

As seen across all the country programme documents before the Board, UNICEF’s commitment is unmistakable. From restoring essential services in conflict zones in the Sudan, to rebuilding immunization systems in Georgia, and addressing deepening nutrition crises in Argentina.

Mental health

Survival alone is not enough. Mental health is fundamental to children’s health, development and ability to thrive. Today, one in seven adolescents aged 10–19 years is living with a mental health condition, and one in four children lives with a caregiver experiencing a mental health condition, highlighting the intergenerational nature of well-being. Tragically, every 11 minutes a young person dies by suicide, underscoring the urgency of strengthening prevention, early support and community-based responses. As more children survive early childhood but grow up in increasingly complex environments shaped by conflict, climate stressors and social change, integrated mental health and psychosocial support across health, education and protection systems is essential.

Mental health is therefore not a stand-alone issue but a core component of child health and development. UNICEF’s approach focuses on integrated, multisectoral systems that strengthen primary healthcare, schools and communities to promote well-being, prevent distress and ensure access to support for children, adolescents and caregivers.

Mental health is a long-standing pillar of UNICEF’s child health and development work, increasingly recognized as essential to achieving survival, learning and protection outcomes.

In prepared remarks, Ms. Meylan Alejandra Ramos Espejel, a youth advocate from Mexico, made a powerful statement on mental health. “Today, with the attention of global leaders, I want to say this: my generation is not broken. We are not apathetic. We are growing up in the midst of forced migration, climate displacement, global conflict and structural violence. Even if we do not experience them directly, all of us are affected. And the deepest, longest-lasting impact is on our mental health,” she said.

“And yet, children and young people are leading solutions. We are the largest youth generation in history. Yet our voices are rarely included in decisions about our lives. Giving us space to speak is only the first step. Listening to our proposals, funding our solutions, and walking with us through action is what truly matters. Health is the foundation of any future. And we are ready to help build it,” she concluded.

Noncommunicable diseases

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) affect over 2 billion children under the age of 20, including through exposure to risk factors. Contrary to common beliefs, NCDs are not exclusive to ageing populations in affluent societies; they also disproportionately affect children and young people, especially in the world’s poorest communities. Together with poor mental health, NCDs are causing immense suffering among children, regardless of income level or geography.

2025 marked a milestone in this area of work. In September, Heads of States and Government adopted a new ambitious, yet achievable, political declaration to prevent and control NCDs and promote mental health. Thanks to UNICEF’s dedicated advocacy for and with children, the political declaration mentions children, youth and young people 25 times. This is a testament to the inclusion of children and young people in the global NCDs and mental health agenda.

UNICEF’s ask to Governments is clear: accelerate the adoption of policies that protect children from mental health and NCDs; invest in a ‘whole-of-society’ approach emphasizing promotion, prevention, management and support across the life course; and place children and young people at the heart of the mental health and NCD national responses.

Key decisions and wrap-up

While regrettably the Board was unable to reach consensus on all of the agenda items presented for decision, with some of them put to a vote, by the end of the session it had adopted seven decisions: on the UN 80 Initiative and its implementation by UNICEF; on UNICEF efforts to address racism and racial discrimination; on an evaluation of work in early childhood development and early childhood education, 2018–2023, and management response; on the Plan for global evaluations, 2026–2029; on progress on governance and oversight by the Executive Boards of the New York-based agencies; on the financial reports, audited financial statements and Board of Auditors report for 2024, and management response; and on the 2026 workplan and budget for private fundraising and partnerships.

The Board also approved eight new country programmes: for Argentina, Cuba, Georgia, Malaysia, Mexico, Somalia, South Africa and the Sudan, as well as the extension of the ongoing subregional programme for the Gulf Area.

In her concluding remarks at the end of the session, Executive Director Russell thanked the Board for approving the new country programme documents and the extension of an ongoing programme. “These programme documents are road maps for delivering tangible results for children in education, health, nutrition, child protection, and more. They reflect the interconnectedness of humanitarian response and sustainable development,” she said. “It is unfortunate that the Board was unable to reach consensus on all of the country programme documents and some of the agenda items. We greatly value the support of all Member States and trust we will continue to strive for consensus in the essential work of this Executive Board to deliver for all children.”

In wrapping up the session, Ambassador Tammsaar stated, “I am encouraged by the clear direction provided to UNICEF through the important decisions that we have adopted at this session collectively. At the same time, I really regret that we were not able to reach consensus on several of the draft decisions before us.”

“It is my firm belief that decisions adopted by consensus best reflect our collective resolve and strengthen the unity of this Board,” he added. “Our ultimate measure of success should be tangible progress in the lives of children. Unity within this Board sends a powerful signal of unwavering support for UNICEF's mandate and enhances our ability to act decisively on behalf of the most vulnerable children.

“Above all, our responsibility is to the world's children. Support from all Member States for UNICEF's work remains the most effective way to ensure that vulnerable children around the world receive the protection and assistance that they urgently need. Let us remain guided by this shared and noble purpose.”

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The Executive Board will meet for its annual session of 2026 from 16 to 19 June.