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Ceremonial Signing of the Geneva Consensus Declaration | October 22, 2020

Ceremonial Signing of the Geneva Consensus Declaration | 

October 22, 2020

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The virtual international ceremonial signing of the Geneva Consensus Declaration, cohosted by Secretaries Alex Azar and Mike Pompeo and cosponsored by the governments of Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Uganda, and the United States was held on October 22 at 11 am EST. The Geneva Consensus Declaration strengthens the resolve to achieve these four pillars: (1) better health for women, (2) the preservation of human life, (3) strengthening of the family as the foundational unit of society, and (4) protecting every nation's national sovereignty in global politics. This event charts a positive way forward for accelerating progress and will be a celebration of partnership between the many countries gathered. Please visit http://www.hhs.gov/PLGHP and http://www.hhs.gov/Declaration for more information. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov | HHS Privacy Policy | http://www.hhs.gov/Privacy.html
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00:01
welcome to the ceremonial signing
00:04
of the geneva consensus declaration
00:07
co-sponsored by the governments of
00:09
brazil egypt
00:11
hungary indonesia uganda
00:14
and the united states and co-hosted
00:18
by health and human services secretary
00:20
alex azar
00:21
and secretary of state mike pompeo
00:26
today is historic standing together
00:30
virtually are senior officials from
00:33
governments representing every region of
00:35
the world
00:36
and more than 1.6 billion people
00:41
cabinet level ministers ambassadors
00:45
members of congress in parliament and
00:47
others
00:49
we are also joined by ngos from across
00:52
the globe
00:54
who are celebrating today's historic
00:57
event
00:58
we are so pleased for this remarkably
01:01
strong
01:02
showing the six co-sponsoring countries
01:07
developed the geneva consensus
01:08
declaration
01:10
intending it to be the culmination of
01:11
the world health assembly
01:14
um event prior to that entitled
01:18
the global women's health summit it was
01:20
to be on the margins in may of 2020.
01:24
of course covid19 upended those plans
01:27
causing us to postpone the summit
01:30
however we decided to move forward with
01:33
the declaration now
01:35
because accelerating health gains for
01:37
women
01:39
cannot wait supporting the intrinsic
01:42
value of the family
01:44
cannot wait protecting life
01:48
born and unborn and the sovereignty of
01:51
nations to make their own laws on this
01:53
issue
01:53
cannot wait next year at the summit we
01:57
will chart a positive way forward
02:00
to promote aggressively women's health
02:02
globally
02:03
for the sake of women nations
02:07
and the world so as we begin today i
02:10
invite you to watch a very short video
02:13
it gives the purpose very clearly for
02:16
the upcoming summit next year
02:18
but it also provides an important
02:21
valuable context
02:22
for today's gathering the health of our
02:25
civilizations
02:27
our nations our families all of our
02:30
children
02:32
are all dependent on the health of our
02:35
women
02:35
and our girls
02:45
within each woman is an echo of creation
02:50
child daughter mother
02:55
leader
02:58
a vibrant symbol of life and love
03:01
and strength the
03:04
very heart and core of civilization
03:08
[Music]
03:10
indomitable and fearless
03:14
inspiring and multiplying her legacy
03:18
in every woman is the power to change
03:22
the world
03:33
[Music]
03:39
and yet her health too often
03:42
hangs in the balance and with her
03:46
humanity itself
03:53
we cannot allow this uniting as
03:56
one we must take a stand for girls and
03:59
women
04:00
everywhere
04:02
[Music]
04:05
declaring that we will fight to empower
04:07
them
04:08
to build a strong and healthier world
04:14
to defend the voice of the voiceless
04:18
and create equal opportunities for all
04:23
we echo this truth across the vast
04:26
stretches of our earth and sky
04:29
that a woman's health should never be
04:32
taken for granted
04:34
[Music]
04:36
for when our daughters thrive
04:39
the entire world thrives
04:47
[Music]
05:07
[Music]
05:18
and now it gives me great pleasure to
05:21
introduce a leader i am honored to work
05:23
for
05:24
and who is proud to stand with all of us
05:26
today
05:27
without apology for the purposes
05:30
advanced here today
05:31
health and human services secretary alex
05:36
azar
05:41
thank you very much valerie and because
05:43
we're socially distanced today
05:45
i and other speakers will be removing
05:47
our face coverings while we're here at
05:48
the podium
05:50
fellow ministers and distinguished
05:52
guests
05:53
it is both a privilege and a high point
05:55
of my tenure
05:56
as secretary of the u.s department of
05:58
health and human services to co-host
06:00
today's virtual signing of the geneva
06:02
consensus declaration
06:05
i'm honored to be joined in marking this
06:07
important occasion by secretary of state
06:09
mike pompeo and together we've been
06:12
bringing greetings and appreciation from
06:14
president trump
06:15
who has praised this initiative on
06:16
numerous occasions and repeatedly fought
06:19
for its ideals in global fora
06:22
we wish we could be together in person
06:23
to celebrate this historic achievement
06:25
but we're grateful for your
06:26
participation virtually
06:29
as today's gathering reflects even
06:31
during covet 19 we can find safe and
06:33
creative ways to keep our important work
06:35
moving forward
06:37
in signing the declaration today the
06:40
united states is honored
06:41
to stand alongside brazil egypt
06:44
hungary indonesia and uganda the cross
06:48
regional co-sponsors for the declaration
06:52
we're humbled by the support of the 32
06:54
nations
06:55
who today are signing the declaration
06:59
today is not the last chance that
07:00
nations have to sign on to this document
07:02
we invite other countries to join this
07:05
effort in the coming months and years
07:08
i hope you will also join us next year
07:11
for the global women's health summit
07:13
where we will forge a new path forward
07:15
to improve the lives of women across the
07:17
globe
07:18
the same goals that underpin today's
07:20
ceremonial signing event
07:22
will inform the work of that summit
07:25
the geneva consensus declaration is an
07:28
historic document
07:29
stating clearly where we as nations
07:32
stand on women's health
07:33
the family honoring life and defending
07:37
national sovereignty
07:39
the declaration is much more than a
07:40
statement of beliefs
07:42
it is a critical and useful tool to
07:44
defend these principles across
07:46
all united nations bodies and at every
07:48
multilateral setting
07:50
using language previously agreed to by
07:52
member states
07:53
of those bodies i want to briefly
07:56
recount
07:57
how far we have come in getting to this
07:59
point
08:01
our growing partnership began about a
08:03
year and a half ago
08:04
when thanks to the leadership of garrett
08:06
grigsby and valerie huber who i'm
08:08
privileged to work with here at hhs
08:10
and our colleagues at the state
08:12
department nine countries came together
08:14
on a joint statement at the 2019 world
08:17
health assembly in geneva
08:19
to rally around these priorities later
08:22
that fall at the u
08:23
n general assembly 21 countries
08:25
communicated their support in another
08:27
joint statement for quote
08:29
programs to improve the health life
08:32
dignity
08:33
and well-being of women men children and
08:36
families
08:37
and asked that quote the un including
08:40
u.n agencies
08:42
focus on concrete efforts that enjoy
08:44
broad consensus
08:45
among member states rather than
08:48
introducing concepts for which there
08:49
will never
08:50
be consensus these statements brought
08:53
badly needed attention to a disturbing
08:55
trend
08:56
with increasing frequency some rich
08:58
nations and u.n agencies beholden to
09:00
them
09:01
are wrongly asserting abortion as a
09:03
universal
09:04
human right these efforts pressure
09:06
countries to institute
09:08
progressive abortion laws or risk losing
09:11
global funding or standing in
09:12
international fora
09:14
tragically women around the world
09:17
unnecessarily suffer health challenges
09:19
all too often deadly health challenges
09:21
while too many wealthy nations and
09:23
international institutions put a myopic
09:25
focus on a radical agenda
09:27
that is offensive to many cultures and
09:30
derails agreement
09:31
on women's health priorities today we
09:34
put down a clear marker
09:36
no longer can un agencies reinterpret
09:38
and misinterpret agreed upon language
09:40
without accountability
09:42
member states set the policy for the u.n
09:44
to pursue
09:46
not the other way around without apology
09:49
we affirm that governments have the
09:51
sovereign right to make their own laws
09:53
to protect innocent life
09:54
and write their regulations on abortion
09:58
the stakes are too high to permit
10:00
radical divisive agendas to hinder the
10:02
ability of women in countries at all
10:03
stages of development to attain
10:05
better health today's geneva consensus
10:08
declaration builds upon last year's
10:10
joint statements for formalizing our
10:12
work together to defend these critical
10:14
values
10:15
our coalition will hold multilateral
10:18
organizations
10:19
accountable we will denounce these
10:22
organizations when they overstep their
10:23
mandates by promoting positions that can
10:26
never gain consensus we will
10:28
unequivocally declare that there is no
10:30
international right to abortion
10:33
we will proudly put women's health first
10:35
at every
10:36
stage of life this declaration agreed to
10:39
by a coalition representing every region
10:41
on earth and more than 1.6
10:43
billion human beings is a new and
10:46
powerful tool in this noble
10:48
and life-saving effort countries
10:51
represented today
10:52
are diverse in geography size culture
10:54
religion
10:55
and ethnicity we were bound in a
10:58
powerful way by our common goals
11:00
today we commit to work together until
11:02
we accomplish each of our shared goals
11:05
for women and girls for families for
11:07
life in all stages of development
11:09
and the sovereignty of each of our
11:11
nations it's difficult to win these
11:13
battles alone
11:15
but together we are stronger and
11:17
together we can deliver for women
11:19
girls and all the nations and peoples we
11:21
represent
11:23
it's now my tremendous pleasure to
11:25
introduce
11:27
the secretary of state for the united
11:29
states my good friend mike pompeo
11:31
a key leader and ally on all of these
11:35
efforts
11:36
to offer some remarks thank you
11:37
secretary pompeo for being here
11:39
and thank you for leading these historic
11:41
efforts
11:45
good morning everyone it's an incredible
11:47
privilege to be here today to co-host
11:48
along with
11:50
my good friend secretary alex azar
11:53
alex and i both share a deep and very
11:56
personal commitment to protect human
11:57
dignity
11:59
our agencies work tirelessly together i
12:01
want to thank assistant secretary
12:02
pam pryor and the hhs team
12:06
for their remarkable work this is a
12:09
culmination
12:10
of lots of hard work a chance to
12:12
celebrate too
12:13
for these joint efforts secretary azar
12:16
opened these
12:18
the ceremony with some background on
12:20
what we've accomplished prior to this
12:21
point
12:22
it's true what he said under president
12:25
trump's leadership
12:26
the united states has defended the
12:27
dignity of human life everywhere
12:29
and always he's done it like no other
12:32
president
12:33
in history we've mounted an
12:36
unprecedented
12:37
defense of the unborn abroad
12:41
in front of world leaders at the 2019
12:44
united nations general assembly
12:46
president trump said quote
12:48
we in america believe that every child
12:51
born and unborn is a sacred gift
12:55
from god during our administration ux
12:58
taxpayer dollars
12:59
will never go to foreign
13:00
non-governmental organizations that
13:02
perform
13:03
or actively promote abortion as a method
13:05
of family planning
13:07
we are also at the state department
13:09
fully applying the law prohibiting the
13:11
use of department of funds
13:12
to lobby on abortion
13:16
last year secretary azar and i sent a
13:18
letter to like-minded nations asking for
13:20
their support
13:21
in advancing human dignity on the world
13:23
stage
13:25
the result of that was that we delivered
13:27
20 of them
13:28
to prepare a joint statement to decry
13:30
pro-abortion language and u n documents
13:33
together these nations said clearly
13:35
there simply is no international right
13:38
to abortion today we're taking the next
13:41
step
13:42
as we sign the geneva consensus
13:43
declaration
13:45
at its very core the declaration
13:47
protects women's health defends the
13:49
unborn and reiterates the vital
13:50
importance
13:51
of the family as the foundation of
13:54
society
13:56
the declarat declaration restates that
13:59
there is no international right to an
14:00
abortion it goes even further
14:02
affirming that every country has its own
14:05
sovereign right
14:06
to determine its own laws with respect
14:09
to abortion
14:10
we say clearly quote there is no
14:13
international obligation
14:14
on the part of states to finance or
14:17
facilitate
14:18
abortion end of quote but perhaps most
14:22
importantly
14:22
perhaps most importantly the declaration
14:24
reaffirms the inherent dignity and worth
14:26
of every human being
14:27
by emphasizing that every human being
14:29
has the fundamental right
14:32
to human life indeed this is what the
14:34
american founders knew so clearly
14:36
it's what we're upholding here today
14:38
that legacy
14:40
it's historic to be here it's the first
14:43
time that a multilateral coalition
14:45
has been built around the issue of
14:47
defending life
14:50
some 32 nations have now signed this
14:53
document five of them co-sponsoring with
14:55
the united states
14:56
brazil egypt hungary indonesia and
14:59
uganda
15:00
together we represent every major
15:03
religion
15:04
of the world it's a group of countries
15:07
that respects
15:08
life and the us is proud to stand with
15:11
each and
15:12
every one of them by signing
15:15
this declaration today we're doing more
15:18
than just
15:19
signing on agreeing on the importance of
15:21
these issues we are making a commitment
15:22
to work together
15:24
at the united nations and in other
15:26
international settings
15:28
to achieve tangible results i'm
15:29
confident that we will
15:32
i'm truly proud of the work that our
15:34
teams have done
15:35
the multilateral backing that we've
15:36
achieved in the momentum that we have
15:38
built
15:39
and as we sign this very explicit
15:42
declaration today may its
15:44
moral clarity embolden others to admire
15:47
our standing indeed to join
15:49
our cause and now secretary azar back
15:52
over to you to introduce our co-sponsors
15:54
today
15:56
thank you secretary pompeo today's event
15:59
is the most significant to date
16:01
of countries coming together to stand up
16:03
for the health of women and families to
16:05
champion
16:05
protecting life at all stages and to
16:07
defend national sovereignty when it
16:09
comes to enacting laws on these critical
16:11
issues
16:12
and it's significant for another
16:14
important reason
16:15
the broad co-sponsorship of the
16:17
declaration and today's event by
16:19
countries spanning all the major regions
16:21
of the world
16:22
over the past months it's been an honor
16:24
to work with brazil egypt
16:26
hungary indonesia and uganda at various
16:28
events related to these issues of great
16:30
consequence
16:31
today's shared leadership demonstrates a
16:33
new level of commitment for our
16:35
respective governments
16:36
it also demonstrates our combined
16:38
strength and resolve
16:40
i'm so gratified that senior leaders
16:41
from the five co-sponsoring countries
16:44
are with us right now virtually
16:47
i'm also very pleased that ministers
16:49
from each of these countries submitted a
16:50
pre-recorded message detailing
16:53
why today is important and how the
16:55
declarations tenants
16:56
fit squarely within the policy
16:58
priorities for their countries
17:01
representing brazil our ambassador
17:04
ernesto arujo
17:06
minister of foreign affairs and her
17:09
excellency demaris alves
17:11
minister of women family and human
17:13
rights
17:14
representing egypt is her excellency
17:18
minister of health and population
17:21
representing hungary is her excellency
17:24
kotalin novak minister for family
17:27
representing indonesia is his excellency
17:31
tarawan minister of health and
17:34
representing uganda
17:35
is the honorable jane ruth achang
17:38
minister
17:39
for health please listen carefully to
17:42
these messages from our colleagues
17:44
they have an important story to tell
17:48
[Music]
17:58
hello
18:08
[Music]
18:18
[Music]
19:20
[Music]
19:26
[Music]
19:35
[Music]
22:23
[Music]
22:40
[Music]
23:21
[Music]
23:48
is
24:35
[Music]
25:25
first of all i would like to thank the
25:27
united states for leading this
25:28
initiative
25:29
and facilitating a global alliance of
25:31
like-minded countries
25:32
and women health and protection of life
25:35
in the u.n
25:37
we are living in an age in which there
25:38
is a continuously growing need to build
25:40
and strengthen pro-family
25:42
and pro-life alliances in order to
25:44
defend our most basic values
25:46
and counter efforts to weaken the
25:48
traditional family
25:50
in the past decade values that have been
25:52
the fundamental components of our
25:54
societies
25:55
are under attack we can identify many
25:58
challenges we face today
26:00
the principle of self-determination has
26:02
been eroded and criticized
26:04
even in policies where national
26:05
competencies should remain unchallenged
26:09
the culture of indoctrination and
26:11
preaching
26:12
has become usual in the un and its
26:15
bodies
26:16
[Music]
26:17
in the name of gender ideology
26:20
ideological now colonialism
26:22
and sex education there are efforts to
26:24
devaluate the traditional family
26:26
the institution of marriage the blessing
26:29
of having children
26:31
cultural national and religious
26:33
peculiarities are being downgraded
26:36
a human rights fundamentalism has arisen
26:39
there are also efforts to redefine human
26:41
rights
26:42
pushed by loud minorities lacking real
26:45
social background
26:46
and will of the people women
26:49
are given false obligations that they
26:52
must compete with men at all times
26:54
and give up on their privileges of
26:56
becoming a mother
26:58
nations that are sticking to sovereignty
27:01
and setting their own laws and
27:03
are stigmatized and attacked on a daily
27:06
basis
27:08
in europe hungary together with poland
27:12
is playing a leading role in promoting
27:14
and strengthening the traditional family
27:17
it's an approach completely different
27:20
from the european mainstream
27:22
our government has been fighting and
27:25
standing up for conservative values
27:27
for a decade now as our fundamental law
27:31
outlines
27:32
i quote family and donation constitute
27:35
the principal framework
27:36
work of our coexistence family is the
27:39
basis of the survival of the nation
27:42
every human being has the right to life
27:44
and human dignity
27:46
and the life of the fetus shall be
27:47
protected from the moment of conception
27:51
hortons our comprehensive family
27:54
benefits system
27:55
the strong pro-life and pro-family
27:57
approach have not only drawn
27:58
international attention
28:00
but produced real results in terms of
28:03
most important demographic data
28:05
for example the number of marriages is
28:08
at a 40-year
28:09
high the number of divorces is at the
28:12
six decades low
28:14
the total fertility rate has increased
28:17
by more than
28:17
20 since 2011.
28:21
number of abortions dropped by more than
28:23
a third in the last decade
28:26
why the hungarian economy shows far
28:28
better results than the eu average
28:30
for example the unemployment rate is
28:33
below four percent
28:36
we are able and we need to counter all
28:39
efforts
28:40
against traditional family values by
28:42
cooperating more closely on an
28:44
international level
28:46
we need to show the value of life the
28:49
joy of expecting and giving birth to a
28:51
child
28:52
for this reason i am very happy to see
28:54
that there are more and more initiatives
28:56
and partnerships with the government of
28:58
the united states
28:59
and other like-minded countries that aim
29:02
at acting jointly
29:04
in this hostile global environment it
29:07
has been a pleasure to be a part of
29:08
recent initiatives
29:10
supporting family friendly principles
29:12
and the preservation of life
29:14
like this geneva declaration and the
29:17
partnership for families
29:19
we hope that more and more countries
29:21
will feel free to join this coalition
29:24
and that the goals outlined in the
29:26
declaration
29:27
will be successfully implemented on
29:30
behalf of hungary
29:31
thank you for the opportunity to be part
29:33
of this coalition
29:35
excellency secretary of health
29:38
and secretary of state of the united
29:41
states of
29:41
america it is a pleasure for me
29:46
to co-sponsor the chain of our consensus
29:49
declaration
29:50
and to participate it in two days event
29:54
that should be
29:55
the impetus to reinforce our collective
29:58
commitment
30:00
and action to the advancement and
30:03
protection of women
30:05
and children right in all aspects
30:08
including health on this note
30:12
woman and children health is a priority
30:16
in indonesia 2020 till
30:20
2024 midterm national
30:23
development plan as a forces
30:27
champion president jokowi toto has
30:30
pledged
30:31
to improving women's representation in
30:34
political decision making
30:37
reducing maternal mortality
30:40
and ending feelings again
30:43
women indonesia commit to
30:46
continuously support the development and
30:50
implementation of measure to improve
30:54
healthcare services especially for women
30:57
and children more significant
31:01
attention needs are given to women
31:04
because they are susceptible
31:07
to morbidity and mortality related to
31:11
pregnancy and delivery let me share some
31:15
area that indonesia has done
31:18
and will continue to improve
31:22
first ensuring the affability
31:25
of significant support and services for
31:28
women
31:29
through the national health insurance
31:31
scheme
31:32
childbirth insurance program and
31:35
strengthening of the primary health
31:37
services
31:38
for reproductive health quality we
31:41
believe
31:43
that improving maternal and childhood
31:46
from the beginning as the main asset
31:49
to ensure our healthy future generation
31:54
second empowering family rule
31:57
in ensuring women and children health
32:01
as the fundamental unit of society
32:04
we believe that family plays an
32:07
important role in nurturing children
32:12
and maintaining family resilience
32:15
therefore the government of indonesia
32:18
continues to revitalize the family
32:22
planning program
32:23
educating families on good parenting
32:26
and indefining campaign on
32:30
men's participation between their
32:33
families
32:33
and communities in the caring and
32:36
protecting
32:37
pregnant women lastly
32:41
strengthening our collaboration in
32:43
promoting and
32:44
ensuring women and children's health as
32:48
a necessity the confidential pandemic
32:51
remind us that we cannot go through
32:55
a problem alone together we are
32:58
stronger greetings from the power of
33:00
africa
33:02
and i trust you're all keeping safe from
33:05
the ongoing
33:06
covet 19 it pandemic
33:09
an honor for me to speak to you all
33:12
today
33:13
i am pleased to note that we gather here
33:16
to discuss
33:17
issues that are pivotal to the
33:19
well-being of women
33:22
without whom none of us would be present
33:25
today this event is well timed
33:29
as we continue to feel pressure to
33:32
devote
33:32
time and scarce resources to issues and
33:35
activities
33:37
which impact our lives but may be
33:40
contrary to our values
33:43
all our countries face genuine threats
33:46
to the health and well-being of women
33:50
these are critical priorities for our
33:52
countries
33:53
and international organizations and
33:55
development partners
33:57
should support our decisions and actions
34:01
to progress in these areas with due
34:03
respect
34:04
for our values and sovereignty
34:08
the government of uganda is proud to
34:10
join the united states
34:12
to promote women's health protect the
34:15
most vulnerable
34:17
and respect national sovereignty
34:21
in global health policy i am reliably
34:24
aware
34:25
that most of the countries on the globe
34:28
most especially within the sub-saharan
34:30
hemisphere
34:31
face genuine threats to health and
34:34
well-being of women
34:36
and children this area therefore
34:39
becomes a critical priority service area
34:42
to target our interventions
34:45
through the pro-families platform global
34:49
efforts
34:50
may be streamed to focus efforts
34:53
and interventions i deeply appreciate
34:56
the personal leadership of secretary
34:59
alex asa
35:00
ii on this matter the collaboration
35:04
through this platform
35:05
will in addition to bringing together
35:07
countries
35:08
in a joint effort also act as a
35:12
consolidated advocacy tool
35:14
to lobby for increased resources
35:18
and pulling of resources and efforts of
35:21
global health
35:22
in uganda the health of women remains
35:26
top of the agenda in ensuring a healthy
35:30
and productive population however
35:35
336 per
35:37
100 000 women die each year
35:40
due to maternal complications resulting
35:44
from teenage pregnancies abortions
35:47
gender-based violence and child
35:49
marriages
35:51
on behalf of the government of uganda
35:54
i want to reaffirm that the family
35:57
is the natural and fundamental unit of
36:00
society
36:01
and is entitled to protection by the
36:04
society
36:05
and the state as leaders it is our
36:08
responsibility
36:10
to protect prioritize and provide
36:13
special care
36:14
and assistance to women and children
36:18
therefore this coalition we are building
36:21
together
36:22
is a movement that must give voice to
36:25
this enduring principles
36:27
that we share i urge all countries
36:31
especially from africa
36:34
to join us so we have a united front
36:38
when negotiating resolutions focused on
36:41
health
36:42
at the world health organization and the
36:45
united
36:46
nations join us when we sign the geneva
36:50
consensus declaration
36:52
to reaffirm our support for a positive
36:55
vision
36:56
of women's health the government of
36:59
uganda
37:00
is pleased to co-sponsor the geneva
37:03
consensus declaration
37:05
because every woman's life matters to us
37:09
no woman should die from preventable
37:12
conditions
37:14
and no girl should be left behind
37:18
i wish to once again congratulate all of
37:21
you for participating
37:23
in this event and reaffirmed my
37:25
commitment
37:26
towards the attainment of health and
37:29
well-being
37:30
for women mothers and girls in uganda
37:35
stay safe stay healthy together
37:39
we are stronger god bless you
37:41
[Music]
37:46
now for the highlight of today's
37:48
gathering the ceremony
37:50
ceremonial signing of the geneva
37:52
consensus declaration
37:55
on october 22nd 2020 this coalition of
37:59
nations commits
38:00
to stand together to support the
38:02
improvement of women's health the family
38:04
as a foundational
38:06
as foundational to every strong society
38:08
the protection of life
38:10
and the sovereign right of every nation
38:12
to make their own laws
38:13
governing abortion further
38:17
we commit to working together until u.n
38:19
agencies work exclusively
38:20
within their mandates and all nations
38:23
prioritize the pillars of this
38:25
declaration
38:26
and now secretary ezo will read the
38:29
geneva consensus declaration
38:31
in full we will now read the geneva
38:35
consensus
38:36
declaration on promoting women's health
38:39
and strengthening the family
38:41
we ministers and high representatives of
38:44
governments
38:45
having intended to gather on the margins
38:46
of the 2020 world health assembly in
38:48
geneva switzerland to review progress
38:50
made
38:51
and challenges to uphold the right to
38:53
the highest attainable standards of
38:55
health for women
38:56
to promote women's essential
38:57
contribution to health and strength
39:00
of the family and of a successful and
39:02
flourishing society
39:03
and to express the essential priority of
39:05
protecting the right to life
39:07
committing to coordinated efforts in
39:09
multilateral fora
39:11
despite our inability to meet in geneva
39:13
due to the global covet 19 pandemic
39:16
in solidarity we one
39:19
reaffirm all are equal before the law
39:22
and human rights of women are an
39:24
inalienable
39:25
integral and indivisible part of all
39:28
human rights and fundamental freedoms
39:31
two emphasize the equal right of men and
39:34
women to the enjoyment of all
39:35
civil liberties and political rights as
39:37
well as economic
39:38
social and cultural rights and the equal
39:41
rights opportunities and access to
39:43
resources and equal sharing of
39:44
responsibilities for the family by men
39:46
and women
39:47
and a harmonious partnership between
39:49
them are critical to their well-being
39:52
and that of their families
39:53
and that women and girls must enjoy
39:55
equal access to quality education
39:57
economic resources and political
39:59
participation as well as equal
40:01
opportunities with men and boys
40:03
for employment leadership and decision
40:05
making at all levels
40:07
three reaffirm the inherent dignity and
40:10
worth of the human person that every
40:12
human being has the inherent right to
40:13
life
40:14
and the commitment to enable women to go
40:16
safely through pregnancy and childbirth
40:18
and provide couples with the best chance
40:20
of having a healthy infant
40:22
four emphasize that in no case should
40:25
abortion be promoted as a method of
40:26
family planning and that any measures or
40:28
changes related to abortion within the
40:30
health system
40:31
can only be determined at the national
40:33
or local level according to the national
40:35
legislative process
40:37
reaffirm that the child needs special
40:39
safeguards and care
40:40
before as well as after birth and
40:43
special measures of protection and
40:44
assistance should be taken on behalf of
40:46
all children
40:47
based on the principle of the best
40:48
interest of the child
40:51
five reaffirm that the family is the
40:53
natural and fundamental group unit of
40:55
society and is entitled to protection by
40:57
society and the state
40:59
that motherhood and childhood are
41:00
entitled to special care and assistance
41:03
that women play a critical role in the
41:05
family and women's contribution to the
41:07
welfare of the family and to the
41:08
development of society
41:11
six recognize that universal health
41:13
coverage is a
41:14
is fundamental for achieving the
41:15
sustainable development goals related
41:17
not only to health and well-being
41:19
with further recognition that health is
41:21
a state of complete physical
41:23
mental and social well-being and not
41:25
merely the absence of disease or
41:26
infirmity
41:28
that the predominant focus of health
41:29
care systems on treating illness rather
41:31
than maintaining
41:32
optimal health also prevents a holistic
41:34
approach
41:35
and that there are needs that exist at
41:37
different stages in an individual's
41:39
lifespan
41:40
which together support optimal health
41:41
across the life course
41:43
entailing the provision of the necessary
41:45
information skills and care for
41:46
achieving the best possible health
41:48
outcomes
41:48
and reaching full human potential and
41:51
seven reaffirm the importance of
41:53
national ownership
41:54
and the primary role and responsibility
41:56
of governments at all levels to
41:58
determine their own path
42:00
towards achieving universal health
42:01
coverage in accordance with national
42:03
context and priorities
42:05
preserving human dignity and all the
42:07
rights and freedoms set forth in the
42:08
universal declaration of human rights
42:11
furthermore we the representatives of
42:14
our sovereign nations do hereby declare
42:15
mutual friendship
42:17
and respect our commitment to work
42:19
together to
42:21
ensure the full enjoyment of all human
42:23
rights and equal opportunity for women
42:25
at all levels of political economic and
42:28
public life
42:29
improve and secure access to health and
42:31
development gains for women
42:33
including sexual and reproductive health
42:35
which must always promote optimal health
42:38
the highest attainable standard of
42:39
health without including abortion
42:42
reaffirm that there was no international
42:44
right to abortion or any international
42:46
obligation on the part of states to
42:48
finance or facilitate abortion
42:50
consistent with the long-standing
42:51
international consensus
42:53
that each nation has the sovereign right
42:55
to implement programs and activities
42:57
consistent with their laws and policies
43:01
build our health system capacity and
43:03
mobilize resources to implement health
43:04
and development programs that address
43:06
the needs of women and children in
43:07
situations of vulnerability
43:09
and advance universal health coverage
43:12
advanced supportive public health
43:14
policies for women and girls as well as
43:16
families including building our
43:17
healthcare capacity and mobilizing
43:19
resources
43:20
within our own countries bilaterally and
43:23
in multilateral forum
43:25
support the role of the family as
43:26
foundational to society and as a source
43:28
of health support
43:29
and care and engage across the u n
43:33
system to realize these universal values
43:35
recognizing that individually we are
43:38
strong
43:38
but together we are stronger that
43:41
concludes the declaration
43:43
secretary pompeo will now introduce the
43:46
co-signing
43:47
countries finally i'd like to recognize
43:51
the 31
43:52
co-signing countries who have joined
43:54
with us this coalition is
43:56
indeed stronger together and the united
43:57
states is proud to stand with each and
43:59
every one of you
44:00
thank you all for your commitment to
44:02
this noble cause
44:04
and i am pleased and honored to read the
44:06
names of those co-sponsoring countries
44:10
the kingdom of bahrain the republic
44:13
of belarus the republic of benin
44:18
federative republic of brazil
44:21
burkina faso republic of cameroon
44:25
democratic republic of the congo
44:28
republic of the congo
44:30
republic of djibouti arab republic
44:34
of egypt kingdom of eswetini
44:38
republic of the gambia republic of haiti
44:43
hungary republic of indonesia
44:46
republic of iraq republic of kenya
44:51
republic excuse me the state of kuwait
44:56
the state of libya the republic of nauru
45:01
the republic of niger the sultanate
45:04
of oman islamic republic
45:08
of pakistan republic of poland
45:12
kingdom of saudi arabia republic of
45:15
senegal
45:17
republic of south sudan republic of
45:20
sudan
45:22
republic of uganda united
45:25
arab emirates the united states of
45:28
america
45:29
and the republic of zambia
45:34
we also invited co-signing countries
45:37
to submit brief recorded statements
45:40
statements of support for the geneva
45:42
consensus declaration
45:44
many did the senior rank of these
45:47
government
45:48
government officials communicates the
45:50
importance of this declaration
45:53
to these co-signing countries i am
45:56
honored and pleased to introduce
45:59
senior officials from the following
46:01
co-signing countries
46:03
many of whom are also virtually
46:06
with us today representing
46:10
the republic of belarus his excellency
46:13
the minister of foreign affairs
46:15
representing the republic of haiti his
46:18
excellency
46:19
the minister of foreign affairs
46:22
representing the state of libya
46:24
his excellency the minister of foreign
46:26
affairs
46:28
representing the republic of poland his
46:30
excellency
46:31
the minister of foreign affairs
46:35
representing the republic of cameroon
46:37
her excellency the minister of women's
46:40
empowerment
46:40
and the family representing the arab
46:43
republic
46:44
of egypt her excellency the minister of
46:47
health and population
46:50
representing hungary her excellency the
46:53
minister
46:53
for family representing the republic of
46:57
indonesia
46:58
his excellency the minister of health
47:01
representing the republic of nauru
47:05
the honorable minister of health
47:08
representing the republic of niger her
47:10
excellency
47:12
the minister for the advancement of
47:14
women women and
47:15
child protection representing the
47:19
sultanate of oman
47:21
his excellency the minister of health
47:24
representing the islamic republic of
47:26
pakistan
47:27
the honorable special assistant to the
47:30
prime minister on health
47:32
representing the democratic republic of
47:34
the congo his excellency the ambassador
47:37
to the united states
47:39
representing the republic of djibouti
47:41
his
47:42
excellency the dual hatted ambassador to
47:45
the united states and ambassador to the
47:47
united nations
47:49
representing the republic of iraq his
47:51
excellency the ambassador to the united
47:53
states
47:54
representing the republic of zambia his
47:57
excellency
47:58
the ambassador to the united states
48:01
representing the kingdom of bahrain
48:04
his excellency the assistant foreign
48:06
minister
48:08
representing the federative republic of
48:10
brazil
48:11
the honorable national secretary of
48:14
family
48:14
and the honorable national secretary of
48:17
policies for women
48:19
representing the state of kuwait her
48:21
excellency the director of international
48:24
health relations in the ministry of
48:26
health
48:27
special thanks to these 19 governments
48:30
for these statements
48:36
belarus wholeheartedly supports the
48:38
geneva consensus declaration
48:40
we share the approaches of the united
48:42
states and other co-sponsors
48:44
on promoting women's health and
48:46
strengthening of the family
48:48
working on sustainable development
48:50
belarus will continue
48:51
to support the family as the natural and
48:54
fundamental unit
48:55
of society
49:41
[Music]
50:03
on behalf of poland i am pleased to
50:06
co-sponsor the geneva consensus
50:09
declaration
50:10
we support this important initiative
50:13
because we believe
50:15
that family is of fundamental importance
50:18
to every strong society and that every
50:21
woman
50:22
deserves to live a healthy life together
50:26
we are stronger camrock corresponds to
50:28
the geneva consensus declaration
50:31
protecting women and family rights is a
50:33
national priority
50:34
we commit to pay particular attention to
50:37
strengthening harmony within the family
50:39
this unit of society every family member
50:41
deserves dignity and respect
50:43
women are caregivers guaranteeing their
50:46
health
50:47
is guaranteeing the well-being of all
50:49
egypt is pleased
50:50
to co-sponsor the geneva consensus
50:52
declaration
50:54
because we believe every woman deserves
50:57
to live a healthy life
50:58
together we are strong hungary is
51:02
pleased to co-sponsor the geneva
51:04
consensus declaration
51:06
because we strongly believe that the
51:07
family is foundational to every strong
51:10
successful and flourishing society and
51:13
that there is a need to rare firm
51:15
in the multilateral fora that family
51:17
policies
51:18
can only be determined at the national
51:20
or local level
51:22
according to national legislative
51:23
processes
51:25
together we are stronger indonesia
51:28
is placed to co-sponsor the chinese
51:32
consensus declaration because we believe
51:35
women and men should have equal rights
51:38
and opportunity to participate
51:42
in various fields of development
51:44
including health
51:45
we also support measure to improve women
51:49
and children access to quality health
51:52
services
51:53
greetings from nauru it is my honor
51:56
as minister of health to offer our
51:59
congratulations
52:00
to the progress of the geneva consensus
52:04
declaration nora's position on the
52:07
declaration is in line with its
52:09
constitution
52:10
and the ministry of health's every life
52:13
mantas campaign
52:15
being a party to the convention on the
52:17
rights of a child
52:18
and convention against the elimination
52:21
of all forms
52:22
of discrimination against women and
52:24
children
52:25
nauru further confirms its commitment to
52:28
the principles of the geneva
53:08
[Music]
53:20
the sultanate of oman is pleased to
53:22
co-sponsor the geneva consensus
53:24
declaration
53:25
because we and oman believe strongly
53:28
in the fundamental role of women in the
53:31
society
53:32
and that every life has the right to
53:34
attain the highest standard of health
53:36
care throughout its cycle
53:38
and we here with affirm our commitment
53:41
by signing this declaration thank you
53:44
pakistan is pleased to co-sponsor the
53:47
geneva declaration
53:49
because we believe that women and
53:51
children's health
53:52
is fundamental to improvement of our
53:54
society the democratic
53:57
republic of the congo our country is
54:00
pleased
54:01
to sponsor the geneva consensus
54:04
declaration
54:06
because we believe that the family is
54:09
fundamental
54:10
to every strong society
54:13
together we are stronger
54:17
he is pleased to co-sponsor the geneva
54:19
declaration
54:21
we believe every woman deserves to live
54:23
a healthy and productive life
54:25
and that the family is foundational to
54:28
every strong
54:29
society we strongly believe in the
54:32
sanctity of human life
54:35
and that every life is valuable even
54:38
before birth
54:39
the focus on these priorities can and
54:43
will help
54:44
our partnership thrive as we strive to
54:47
find
54:48
genuine solutions for health concerns
55:23
zambia is pleased to co-sponsor the
55:25
geneva consensus declaration
55:27
because it reaffirms the full enjoyment
55:29
of human rights and equal opportunities
55:31
for women
55:32
at all levels of political economic and
55:34
public life which is in tandem
55:36
with the constitution of zambia kingdom
55:39
bahrain
55:40
is co-sponsored geneva consensus
55:42
declaration
55:44
because we believe every woman deserves
55:47
to live
55:48
a healthy life together we are stronger
55:52
the brazilian government is very pleased
55:54
to co-sponsor the geneva consensus
55:57
declaration
55:58
that is a historical moment we are
56:00
reaffirming the universal declaration of
56:02
human rights
56:03
which united us to defend the human
56:06
being's constitutive rights
56:08
together we stronger brazil
56:14
today
56:24
the city of kuwait is the place to
56:25
support the geneva declaration
56:27
our nation believes in the right of
56:29
equal access to healthcare education
56:32
and a better quality of life for all our
56:35
people especially women
56:37
and children as they are integral and
56:40
equally partnered in our society
56:42
we fundamentally believe in the role of
56:44
their family as a nucleus
56:46
of a healthy community and we therefore
56:50
strongly endorse and support this
56:52
declaration
56:53
actually this declaration represents an
56:55
international commitment towards
56:57
improving the lives of
56:58
humanity respectable of international
57:01
borders
57:02
this is dr rehabilitant the director of
57:05
international health relations
57:06
ministry of health kuwait thank you
57:14
what a powerful and impressive message
57:17
from these many co-signing nations
57:20
thank you ministers ambassadors and
57:23
other senior officials
57:24
for so clearly communicating the
57:27
significance
57:28
of today's virtual gathering many thanks
57:31
to
57:32
all the governments who co-signed the
57:34
geneva consensus declaration
57:36
we are honored to stand alongside you
57:40
my sincere thanks to the co-sponsors of
57:42
today's historic event
57:44
brazil egypt hungary indonesia
57:48
uganda and of course our leadership with
57:51
the united states government
57:53
president trump secretary azar and
57:56
secretary pompeo
57:58
and special thanks to all of you who
58:01
joined for today's
58:02
virtual ceremonial signing of the geneva
58:06
consensus declaration
58:08
whether you represent a government or
58:11
are from
58:11
one of the many ngos who care so much
58:14
about the pillars enshrined
58:16
in this declaration knowing the time
58:19
zone differences
58:20
and how busy your schedules are your
58:23
attendance is indeed humbling
58:25
and it's a powerful reminder of your
58:28
commitment to these important goals
58:31
the geneva consensus declaration is not
58:34
the end of this effort
58:36
but a key milestone in the journey that
58:39
will generate
58:39
more support across the world we invite
58:42
other countries to join
58:44
so the declaration will remain open for
58:47
additional cosigners
58:49
and i look forward to seeing all of you
58:52
hopefully
58:52
in person next year in geneva as we
58:56
gather for the global women's health
58:58
summit
58:59
and so we will end today's gathering as
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it began
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by again playing the short video that
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reminds us what brought us together
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in solidarity for the health of our
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civilizations
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our nations our families
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and all of our children because they are
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all dependent
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upon the health of our women and our
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girls
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but before we play that video i want you
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to know
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that the trump administration commits
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that with your help
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we will continue to build this
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international coalition
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because each of us is strong
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but together we are stronger thank you
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for your support
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your partnership and participation
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and god bless you all
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within each woman is an echo of creation
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child daughter mother
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leader
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a vibrant symbol of life and love
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and strength the very
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heart and core of civilization
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[Music]
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indomitable and fearless
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inspiring and multiplying her legacy
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in every woman is the power to change
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the world
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[Music]
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and yet her health too often hangs in
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the balance
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and with her humanity itself
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we cannot allow this uniting as
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one we must take a stand for girls and
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women
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everywhere
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[Music]
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declaring that we will fight to empower
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them
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to build a strong and healthier world
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to defend the voice of the voiceless
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and create equal opportunities for all
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we echo this truth across the vast
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stretches of our earth and sky
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that a woman's health should never be
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taken for granted
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[Music]
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for when our daughters thrive
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the entire world thrives
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[Music]
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[Music]
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produced by the u.s department of health
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and human services at taxpayer expense