ABOUT UNFPA

In 1966, the General Assembly authorized the United Nations to provide technical assistance in the population field. The following year, the United Nations established the Trust Fund for Population Activities to provide additional resources to the United Nations system for technical co-operation activities in the population field. In 1969, the Trust Fund was renamed the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA).  In 1972, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme was designated as the Fund’s governing body.  In December 1987, the name was again changed to “United Nations Population Fund” although the acronym “UNFPA” was retained.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the world’s largest internationally funded source of population and reproductive health assistance to developing countries.  Since it began operations in 1969, the Fund has provided nearly $6 billion in assistance to developing countries.

UNFPA works in partnership with governments and non-government organizations in over 140 countries.  At the request of partners, and with support from the international community, UNFPA  provides programmes of assistance to men, women and young people, particularly to promote well planned families, raise more awareness about reproductive health, safe pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood and the need to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) including HIV/AIDS and to combat violence against women.