September 24, 2014 - New York, New York
Check Against Delivery
Good morning.
I am pleased to be here this morning.
And not just for the food.
It is an honour to join the world’s leading experts in maternal, newborn and child health, to celebrate our achievements.
And to discuss where our continued efforts are most needed.
Improving maternal, newborn and child health is Canada’s top development priority.
This was made clear by the Muskoka Initiative in 2010.
And again, when Prime Minister Harper hosted the Saving Every Woman, Every Child summit in Toronto this past May.
We have come a long way since the launch of the Muskoka Initiative and the Global Strategy.
Canada and the world had to face the heartbreaking truth: that MDGs 4 and 5 were the furthest off-track.
But thanks to Canada’s leadership, and subsequent global action, we have seen progress.
We marshalled the resources, partnerships and innovation required to make a real difference in the lives of women and children.
And there continues to be energy, focus and momentum to our work.
I truly believe we can end the preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children.
I truly believe our goals are within arm’s reach.
We all know we are on the right track.
We know what we need to do.
We need to put a greater focus on newborn survival.
Increase our efforts on nutrition.
Accelerate progress on maternal health.
Strengthen civil registration and vital statistics.
And look to new and innovative financing tools and partnerships.
I look forward to hearing more from the experts gathered here today on the opportunities to do this better.
From my perspective, in setting a course for how to deliver on our promise to women and children over the next five years, we should continue to prioritize those elements that have made the Every Woman, Every Child effort so successful:
- political leadership;
- financial commitment;
- common approaches;
- ambitious goals; and
- accountability.
In terms of political leadership, Canada will deliver on the promise we have made to the world’s women and children.
But the magnitude of the challenge before us demands that all leaders prioritize the health of women and children.
And I encourage the H4 partners to use platforms like this week’s UN General Assembly to advocate for such leadership.
Ending preventable maternal and child deaths will not happen without increased financing.
Canada has stepped up to the plate with a new five-year commitment of $3.5 billion.
But our success is dependent on similar increases from other countries, as well as new and innovative streams of funding.
The needs are vast, and governments alone do not have the resources, nor the expertise, to meet them.
That is why Canada is working with all partners committed to these goals.
Whether they are NGOs, CSOs or the private sector.
By prioritizing a common approach, and by acting in unison, our effectiveness is multiplied.
Canada will continue to build our programming on a solid foundation of accountability.
We will ensure we remain focused on the needs of women and children.
Deliver real results.
And prioritize the data needed to make decisions.
H4 partners have played a critical role in all of these areas.
And Canada will continue to count on your support.
We must assist countries to strengthen their CRVS systems.
These systems are the legal basis for the realization of human rights.
And the foundation for rigorous accountability and measurable results.
We can be proud of the work we have done.
And the lives we have saved.
But we cannot be complacent.
We must ensure that women’s and children’s health continue to be top-level priorities post-2015.
We need increased attention for women’s and children’s health—ideally with a stand-alone goal.
Since the launch of the Muskoka Initiative, we have proven what can be accomplished when we work in partnership.
The H4 partnership has been at the centre of this effort.
And will remain so as we continue to work together to improve the lives of women and children around the world.
Thank you.
