Who we are

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the world’s largest international source of funding and technical assistance for population and reproductive health programmes. Since we began operations in 1969, the Fund has provided nearly $6 billion in assistance to developing countries.

UNFPA works with governments and non-governmental organizations in over 140 countries, at their request, and with the support of the international community. We support programmes that help women, men and young people:

• plan their families and avoid unwanted pregnancies;
• undergo pregnancy and childbirth safely;
• avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV infection;
• combat violence against women.
  
  Together, these elements promote reproductive health — a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters related to the reproductive system. Reproductive health is recognized as a human right, part of the right to health.

UNFPA also helps governments in the world’s poorest countries, and in other countries in need, to formulate population policies and strategies in support of sustainable development. All UNFPA-funded programmes promote women’s equality.

UNFPA works to raise awareness of these needs among people everywhere. We advocate for close attention to population problems and help to mobilize resources to solve them.