UNICEF media opportunities during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly

NEW YORK, 18 September 2024 –The 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) takes place as multiple and complex crises including climate change, conflict, poverty, and deepening inequality pose grave threats to the world’s children. UNICEF will engage at UNGA calling for urgent action to accelerate child wellbeing and financing for children, building on decades of progress and the international community’s obligation to protect child rights. Upholding child rights and investing in solutions for children will not only help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but also benefit all of society.

Media opportunities include: 

Monday 23 September, 10:00 – 12:00 EDT

High-Level Dialogue on Proven Solutions for Children: Accelerating Progress for the SDGs and Beyond

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Monique Nsanzabaganwa and European Commission Vice President for Democracy and Demography Dubravka Šuica will co-host a high-level policy dialogue on four proven solutions for children, aimed at accelerating progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Panelists include:

• Brazilian Minister of Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger, Wellington Dias
• Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance CEO, Sania Nishtar
• German Parliamentary State Secretary, Niels Annen
• Malala Fund Co-Founder, Malala Yousafzai
• Malala Fund Girls’ Vision Co-Lead and Nigerian Advocate, Tamilore Omojola
• South African Minister for Social Development, Nokuzola Gladys Tolashe
• United States of America Congresswoman, Rosa DeLauro
• UN Committee on the Rights of Child Chairperson, Ann Skelton

Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York.

Open to UN-accredited media with RSVP, or a video link is available on request.

Monday 23 September, 14:00 – 15:30 EDT

A Lead-Free Future Starts Today

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and USAID Administrator Samantha Power will launch a new global Partnership for a Lead-Free Future (PLF) to address the scourge of lead poisoning in children in many low-and-middle income countries, where over 90 per cent of the global harm from lead occurs causing devastating and often irreversible health consequences.
Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York. 
Open to UN-accredited media with RSVP or a video link is available on request. 

Tuesday 24 September, 16:00 – 19:00 EDT

Together for Nutrition

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and high-level guests, including France's Special Envoy on Nutrition and Secretary General of the Nutrition for Growth Summit M. Brieuc Pont, and Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID Dr Atul Gawande, will convene around renewed ambition on global nutrition targets; gender transformative nutrition action, and agenda setting ahead of the Paris Nutrition for Growth Summit.  
Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York.

Open to UN-accredited media with RSVP, or a video link is available on request.

** In-person access for UN accredited media only. Please RSVP to [email protected] ** 

Interview opportunities include:

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships, Kitty van der Heijden, schedule permitting. 

UNICEF Youth Advocates will participate as speakers and moderators before government leaders, high-level guests and UN Representatives at key events. They include:

• Meryem Amjoun: 15-year-old UNICEF Youth Advocate from Morocco who advocates for education and literacy. Meryem is a member of the Moroccan Parliament and a former member of the Arab Parliament for the Child.
• Areej Essam: 17-year-old UNICEF Youth Advocate from Yemen who works to defend the rights of children in Yemen. She is an advocate of peace and the power of education, especially for girls.
• Maria Marshall: 15-year-old UNICEF Youth Advocate for Climate from Barbados who raises awareness on the importance of reducing, reusing, recycling and repurposing waste.
• Gitanjali Rao: 18-year-old UNICEF Youth Advocate from the USA who advocates for the use of technology to help solve global problems. Gitanjali has developed several apps and promotes science and technology among girls.

UNICEF Global Youth Advocates from Belize, Canada, Ghana, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, the United States of America, and Zambia are available to speak on issues including climate, technology, immunization, gender, children’s rights and social policies.

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