Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 5 June 2017: It is with profound sadness that I learnt of the passing away of the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof Babatunde Osotimehin.

The African Union Commission mourns the passing away of Prof Babatunde, and will remember his leadership in championing access to health for all, including the critical issue of reproductive health and rights for all, especially women, youth and adolescents. This commitment was also reflected in how UNFPA’s work in Africa over his tenure was transformed.

The AUC would also like to acknowledge Prof. Babatunde and the UNFPA's support in the development and implementation of the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child Mortality in Africa (CARMMA), the Ending Child Marriage campaign, and the African Youth Charter, among other continental initiatives.

Most significantly, Prof. Babatunde's leadership was crucial in championing, providing thought leadership and galvanizing action behind the implementation of the 2017 AU theme of the year, “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth”, and its accompanying roadmap, a critical and strategic step in ensuring alignment of both the AU Agenda 2063 and UN Agenda 2030 towards achieving the Africa We Want.

The death of Prof. Babatunde is indeed a huge loss to Nigeria, Africa and the world.

We express our condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat

Chairperson of the African Union Commission

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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