UNICEF media opportunities during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly

NEW YORK, 19 September 2025 - The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly takes place amid global funding cuts, cascading crises - from conflict and displacement to disease outbreaks and climate shocks - and growing disregard for children's rights. These pressures risk reversing decades of progress, putting millions of young lives and futures at stake.

As leaders gather in New York, UNICEF is calling for urgent action to protect children and invest in their future. Governments must safeguard domestic social spending and ringfence essential services for children, especially in fragile contexts. Donors and investors need to prioritize children in overseas spending, debt relief, and climate finance, ensuring flexible and predictable humanitarian funding. The global community must combine global funding with innovative financing and partnerships, while committing to upholding children's rights.

Media opportunities include:

Monday 22nd September, 7:30 - 8:45 AM
United to Finish the Job: High-Level Side Event on Polio Eradication

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), UNICEF, WHO, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) will host a high-level side event on polio eradication, featuring two panel discussions:

• Polio Today - A Shared Responsibility will bring together GPEI leadership with key partners, including UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, and KSRelief Supervisor General Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah.
• Eradication and Beyond - Polio Infrastructure and Resilience will highlight the role of long-standing and emerging donors alongside leaders from polio-affected countries. Speakers include Nigeria's Health Minister Dr. Muhammed Ali Pate and Acting Director-General of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity Dr. Shamma Khalifa Al Mazrouei.

Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York.
Open to UN-accredited media with RSVP.

Tuesday 23rd September, 7:30 - 8:45 AM
Toward a Lead-Free Future: Mobilizing to End Childhood Lead Exposure

A high-level breakfast to highlight the urgent need for action and investment to eliminate lead exposure - a toxic threat that harms 1 in 3 children globally, with the heaviest toll in low- and middle-income countries. The event will feature Prime Minister of Bhutan H.E. Tshering Tobgay, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, Minister of Health of Ghana Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and representatives from Open Philanthropy and Bloomberg Philanthropies, alongside other global leaders.

Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York.
Open to UN-accredited media with RSVP. Follow the live stream here.

Wednesday 24th September, 2:00 - 3:15 PM
A Future at Risk: Reinvigorating Global Action for the Rights of the Child

Hosted by Sweden in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Silvia and co-sponsored by UNICEF, Save the Children, and the World Childhood Foundation, the event will convene Member States, civil society, and youth advocates to renew commitments to children's rights amid overlapping global crises. Speakers include Sierra Leone Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs Dr. Isata Mahoi, UN SRSG on Violence Against Children Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and other leaders and youth representatives. The event will highlight urgent actions and solutions showing why defending children's rights is a strategic investment in peace, health, and prosperity.

Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York.
Open to UN-accredited media with RSVP.

Thursday 25th September, 8:00 - 10:00 AM
High-Level Launch of the CAF Initiative to Promote the Development of Children and Youth

The Development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) - and UNICEF are teaming up to promote the development of children and youth. During this high-level event, CAF will launch a new initiative aimed at mobilizing US$5 billion over five years to reach 50 million children, adolescents and youth across the region. The event will spotlight CAF as the first development bank aiming to adopt UNICEF's Child-Lens Investing Framework.

Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York.
Open to UN-accredited media with RSVP.

Thursday 25th September, 11:00 am - 1:00 PM
Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council Meeting, 1 Billion Futures: Unlocking Youth Livelihoods through Public-Private Action

The high-level event will bring together heads of state, CEOs, multilateral leaders, and youth changemakers to accelerate solutions for youth employment and entrepreneurship. Co-chaired by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and PwC Global Chairman Mohamed Kande, the event will feature leaders including Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, President Duma Boko of Botswana, CEO of SAP Christian Klein, CEO of Capgemini Aiman Ezzat, and others. Discussions will focus on breakthrough policy reforms, innovative financing, and future-ready skills in the digital, green, and blue economies, with outcomes feeding into the World Summit for Social Development and COP30.

Venue: Venue: UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York.
Open to UN-accredited media with RSVP. Follow the live stream here.

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

Interview opportunities include:

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

• Juliana (23): A medical student from Brazil, Juliana creates educational content to protect children's health and well-being, including guides and presentations on vaccines and online safety to combat misinformation. She combines her passion for healthcare and content creation to make science accessible and advocates strongly for young people's access to health services.
  
• Natalia (20): A social work student from Jamaica, Natalia is passionate about creating safe spaces for young people to speak openly about their health. She has played a key role in the UNICEF Fix My Food campaign in the country, raising awareness about healthier food policies and food justice. Natalia also advocates for improved youth access to mental health support, helping shape national policies.
  
• Zunaira (15): Living in Balochistan, Pakistan, Zunaira has witnessed the devastating impact of climate change. Her research on floods and their effect on girls' education earned her recognition and a grant, sparking local climate advocacy. After receiving training from UNICEF, she began training her peers and has represented Pakistani youth at global forums such as COP29, amplifying the voices of girls affected by the climate crisis.

UNICEF Global Youth Advocates from Brazil, Burkina Faso, Fiji, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Pakistan, Spain, and the United States of America are available to speak on issues including climate and environment, nutrition, education, health and immunization, mental health, gender equality, children's rights, and youth participation.

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