Excellencies,
Distinguished Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
 
On behalf of the entire United Nation System, I affirm our commitment to work tirelessly to end all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030.
 
I thank the Presidents and leaders here today for your steadfast commitment to this cause.
 

In celebration of the 25th year anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), and with strong and unwavering support for the full implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action, the Key Actions for its Further Implementation, and the Outcomes of its Review Conferences, as drivers and accelerators of the 2030 Agenda, and its Sustainable Development Goals;
 
The United Nations System commits:
 

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I am pleased to join you today.
 
We are here to reignite, accelerate and keep the promise made at the landmark International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo 25 years ago.
 
The bold, rights-based vision of the ICPD – that development must put people first, that access to health, education and human dignity must be equal for all persons – informed the bold vision of the 2030 Agenda.
 

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I am pleased to be with you this evening.
 
We are all here to mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the landmark Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994.
 
The vision was and remains clear: to empower women and girls to their right to claim their independence, health and well-being for the long-term benefit of their families, communities and nations.
 

Good afternoon.
 
I am really pleased to be here today at the Ruiru Primary School to celebrate and experience innovation, partnership and entrepreneurship. 

I am here because all of you have worked together to find a solution for people and for planet. 

Wawira, Tap2Eat and it’s partners are an example of putting people first—in this case young people—including the children at this school. 

We know that when children are hungry there is no stomach for learning.

Your Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, Your Excellency Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Your Excellency Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza, Your Excellency Ms. Joyce Banda, Your Excellency Ms. Ameenah Gurib Fakim, Distinguished Guests, Young Women Leaders, Sisters,
 
I would like to extend my thanks to the Government of Kenya, for their hospitality and to President Kenyatta and African Women Leaders Network Patron, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, for the invitation to this timely intergenerational retreat, as well as to all partners and donors who made this retreat possible.