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During the UN General Assembly, UNICEF works to put a spotlight on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ,  humanitarian action ,  health ,  climate change ,  education  and mental health ., The Sustainable Development Goals: Halfway to 2030, Follow  @ UNICEF  for the latest updates.  Learn more about  UNICEF's key events  from the 78th United Nations General Assembly.   Right now, the world is falling behind when it comes to the #GlobalGoals . Children’s lives and futures are on the line. With seven years to go, the time for world leaders to act is now! #UNGA pic.twitter.com/…, Humanitarian and emergencies, In conflict and disaster, children suffer first and suffer most. Sustainable interventions are critical because crises are not one-time shocks; their impact can last for years., Child health and survival, Every year, millions of children die from causes that are preventable and treatable. The COVID-19 pandemic showed everyone how important global health is and the deep inequities that exist. UNICEF is working tirelessly to make sure that every child has the access to the health care and nutrition they need to not only survive, but thrive. , Climate change, Rapid emissions reduction remains the only long term solution, however, because some impacts of climate change are now unavoidable and irreversible, we must immediately save and protect children’s lives by building the resilience of every child and young person to the impacts of this crisis., Learning crisis, Nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds are estimated to be unable to read and understand a simple text. Without urgent action, this global learning crisis will become a generational catastrophe., Mental health, In every part of the world, poor mental health causes suffering for children and young people. Every child deserves to grow up in loving, nurturing and safe environments.

For over 75 years, UNICEF has been working tirelessly for child rights and for the well-being of every child. Whoever they are. Wherever they live. Since UNICEF was established, in the aftermath of World War II, we have been at the frontlines of humanitarian crises, armed conflict and natural disasters. Our on-the-ground expertise has reached more…, From the archives, 2021, See the full report, 2020, Responding to COVID-19 See the full report, 2019, For every child, reimagine See the full report, 2018, For every child, every right See the full report, 2017, See the full report, 2016, See the full report, 2015, See the full report, 2014, See the full report, 2013, See the full report, 2012, See the full report, 2011, See the full report, 2010, See the full report, 2009, See the full report, 2008, See the full report, 2007, See the full report, 2006, See the full report, 2005, See the full report, 2004, See the full report, 2003, See the full report, 2002, See the full report, 2001, See the full report, 2000, See the full report, 1999, See the full report, 1998, See the full report, 1997, See the full report, 1996, See the full report, 1995, See the full report, 1994, See the full report, 1993, See the full report, 1992, See the full report, 1991, See the full report, 1990, See the full report, 1989, See the full report, 1988, See the full report, 1987, See the full report, 1986, See the full report, 1985, See the full report, 1984, See the full report, 1983, See the full report, 1982, See the full report, 1981, See the full report, 1980, See the full report, 1979, See the full report, 1978, See the full report, 1977, See the full report, 1976, See the full report, 1975, See the full report, 1974, See the full report, 1973, See the full report, 1972, See the full report

The Executive Director of UNICEF works on behalf of the United Nations children's agency to help children around the world survive and thrive by advocating for and protecting their rights. They are appointed by the United Nations Secretary General. Below are profiles of all our Executive Directors since 1947., Maurice Pate Maurice Pate, 1947-1965, Maurice Pate (1894-1965) was UNICEF's first executive director. At the time of his joining, millions of children were suffering in the aftermath of World War II. Pate made it a condition of his service that UNICEF support those in vanquished as well as victorious countries. As a result, UNICEF helped distribute milk and other supplies to children…, Henry Labouisse Henry R. Labouisse, 1965-1979, American attorney and diplomat Henry R. Labouisse (1904 - 1987) brought extensive international service experience to UNICEF. The major conflicts and natural disasters of the late 1960s and 1970s would lead to an upsurge in UNICEF’s emergency relief operations. During this time, he guided UNICEF’s vision towards helping children and families in…, James Grant James P. Grant, 1980-1995, James P. Grant (1922 - 1995) was an energetic advocate for children and a visionary who insisted on strategic action and measurable results. He led UNICEF in a campaign to combat what he called a "global silent emergency," — the deaths of millions of children each year from easily preventable illnesses. Launched in 1983, this global initiative…, Carol Bellamy Carol Bellamy, 1995-2005, Carol Bellamy became UNICEF’s fourth Executive Director after a distinguished career that included the private sector and public office. Under Ms. Bellamy's leadership, UNICEF became a champion of global investment in children. During her tenure, Bellamy focused on five major priorities: immunizing every child; getting all girls and boys into…, Ann Veneman Ann M. Veneman, 2005-2010, Under Ann Veneman’s leadership, UNICEF launched initiatives to improve business practices, transparency and collaboration to ensure that the agency's programmes reached the most vulnerable and that its resources were utilized efficiently to protect, save and improve the lives of children around the world. These strategies included establishing a…, Anthony Lake Anthony Lake, 2010-2017, Anthony Lake came to serve as UNICEF’s sixth Executive Director with more than 45 years of public service experience. His career included foreign policy, national security, humanitarian and development issues at the most senior levels. His long-standing ties to UNICEF dated back to 1993, when he worked with UNICEF’s third Executive Director, James…, Henrietta Fore Henrietta H. Fore, 2018-2022, Henrietta H. Fore became UNICEF’s seventh director, having worked in economic development, education, health, humanitarian and disaster relief as a public servant, for more than four decades. She was the first woman to serve in the US Government as Administrator of the Agency for International Development (USAID), and Director of US Foreign…

In 2019, at the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) in Madrid, a group of world leaders joined youth activists in a historic moment — to sign an Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action. This is the first-of-its-kind commitment to accelerate inclusive, child and youth-centered climate policies and action at national…, The Declaration, Considering  that children face heightened and specific risks due to climate change, that these impacts are already occurring, and that the most disadvantaged and marginalized children bear the heaviest burden; Acknowledging  the global leadership and calls of children and young people for urgent and immediate climate action, as well as their…, Signatories, Albania Guyana Micronesia Slovenia Andorra Honduras Monaco South Africa Armenia Hungary Montenegro Spain Bangladesh Iraq The Netherlands St. Lucia Belgium Jamaica Nigeria Suriname Benin Jordan North Macedonia Sweden Bulgaria Kyrgyzstan Norway Ukraine Chile Libya Palau Uruguay Costa Rica Luxembourg Panama Uzbekistan Denmark Malawi Peru Venezuela…, Other partners, Korean Parliamentarian Friends of UNICEF Scotland > Back to menu, Frequently asked questions, What is the Declaration?, The Declaration was launched in December 2019 during COP25 , at a high-level event convened by the COP25 Presidency of the Government of Chile in Madrid, Spain. UNICEF, in collaboration with YOUNGO and the Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative coalition (CERI), supported the Presidency, champion governments and young people from around the…, Why is the Declaration important?, The Declaration represents a first-of-its-kind set of commitments by States to consistently consider children’s specific needs, rights and perspectives in their climate policies and action at all levels. This comprehensive framework seeks to respond to the fact that that the climate crisis is a child rights crisis, while also recognizing the…, How many countries have signed?, For the latest list, please refer to the Signatories section., Can the Declaration be changed?, The Declaration is based on priorities identified by children and youth themselves, and consensus on the text was reached by the champion governments that launched the Declaration in 2019. In 2021, feedback received from Member States was accepted by YOUNGO. The Declaration text is therefore considered closed at this stage, however an annex to the…, Is there any additional guidance to accompany the Declaration?, Yes, an annex has been developed to provide supporting guidance for taking forward operationalization of the Declaration’s commitments. This guidance is intended to provide more context, information, and supporting resources/tools where available. It also seeks to address additional comments and suggestions received from signatory States to…, How can our government sign?, Your Government can sign by sending a scanned copy of the signed Declaration to climate@unicef.org and the CERI Secretariat at secretariat@childrenvironment.org . You will receive a confirmation email from UNICEF. You are also kindly invited to identify a focal point and contact details for follow-up., What happens next?, Once confirmation is received, your Government will be included on the list of Member State signatories on the Declaration webpage of the co-custodians. We will announce your commitment on social media and showcase your alignment during key moments and events around the world. We invite you to announce this news through your own channels as well,…, How will progress be monitored?, As your Government takes steps to operationalize the Declaration, please share developments and plans with us so that we can bring visibility to exemplary work. We encourage you to make the Declaration visible on your Government website, and to inform/engage relevant stakeholders, for example through events at the national level, as suggested…, Resources, Publisher Title UNICEF   Children displaced in a changing climate UNICEF   An Environment Fit for Children: UNICEF’s Approach to Climate Change UNICEF   Healthy Environments for Healthy Children: Global Programme Framework UNICEF The coldest year of the rest of their lives

For 75 years, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been working tirelessly for child rights and for the well-being of every child. Whoever they are. Wherever they live. UNICEF has been an unstoppable force for change in the lives of children around the world. Since UNICEF was established, in the aftermath of World War II, we have been…, Working for every child, Join the journey, A mission that evolves with the changing situation of children, UNICEF history, From emerging crises to invisible ones When the world’s most vulnerable children have needed a champion, UNICEF has been there.  From short-term relief during armed conflict, natural disasters and humanitarian crises to long-term survival and development programmes, we have helped build resilient health and welfare systems across the globe. We…, Reimagining the world for every child, The world faces multiple crises today — the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, widespread social and economic challenges and rising poverty and inequality. These challenges impact us all, but they hit the most vulnerable children the hardest. A child rights crisis is upon us.  With disruption comes opportunity. Just as we rebuilt from the ruins of…

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established in 1946, in the aftermath of World War II. Our mandate was clear: to help children and young people whose lives and futures were at risk – no matter what role their country had played in the war. What mattered to UNICEF was reaching every child in need, protecting…, A fairer world for every child, The story of UNICEF is a story of how much good the human family can do when it unites to protect the rights of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. We bring 75 years of field-tested expertise, a network that spans the globe, a passion for innovation, dynamic partnerships, and a commitment to making every dollar count. As we look back, we…, UNICEF through the decades, For 75 years, UNICEF’s mission has evolved with the needs of children around the world. Browse our timeline and discover our work through the decades. In 2021, as the world faced new crises, UNICEF marched into its 75 th year. We paused to reflect on our past while reimagining a better future for every child., The faces, the voices, The story of UNICEF is that of every child we reach. It is also reflected in the people who have relentlessly served and supported our organization. This is the story of committed people who have provided critical resources, time and encouragement to build an environment where children can grow up protected, healthy and educated. Be they our…, The Archives, For 75 years, UNICEF has collected records, items and leading research that document our story as well as that of the world. The UNICEF Archives, located in our New York Headquarters, houses material that captures UNICEF’s global field operations – from our founding in the aftermath of World War II through today. From biographies to landmark…, Historical documents and publications, Our vast collection of reports, data and other historical publications spans decades and is a key vehicle to influence policy and decision-making.  From flagship publications like the State of the World’s Children to our Annual Reports, discover our historical documents .

UNICEF research and publications have become synonymous with advocating for the rights of children. Aside from being critical vehicles that promote policy discussion and guide decision-making, they showcase our efforts and those of our partners on behalf of children. From flagship publications to documents of historical interest, discover…, The evolution (1946–2016), Commemorating UNICEF’s steps through history, the following milestone series showcases how the cause of children has evolved since World War II. These historical reviews explore our contribution against a backdrop of rapid global changes in social, political and economic affairs. UNICEF@40 cover image UNICEF-at-40 UNICEF at 40 years Cover page of…, The State of the World's Children, Thanks to our historical body of knowledge, UNICEF has an unprecedented view on The State of the World’s Children – also the name of UNICEF’s annual flagship publication that covers the most important issues affecting children, year by year. The reports, from the first publication in 1980 to our latest, can be downloaded here ., UNICEF Annual Reports, The UNICEF Annual Report spotlights significant results achieved by UNICEF and its partners each year on behalf of children around the world. UNICEF’s Annual Reports from 1972 to 1999 are available here . For our most recent Annual Reports, visit our Publications Hub ., World Summit for Children, The World Summit for Children was a landmark event for UNICEF and the world. Held in September 1990, 71 heads of state adopted a declaration on the survival, protection and development of children, and a plan of action for implementation in the 1990s. The declaration and plan of action from the World Summit for Children is laid out in the booklet…, The Progress of Nations, The Progress of Nations charts the advances made since the 1990 World Summit for Children. Each edition challenged countries to fulfill their promises to children. Read more and download the Progress of Nations series (1997-2000) ., Looking for more?, Visit the UNICEF Archives UNICEF Archives  to explore our collection of resources, artifacts and other materials that document UNICEF's history of protecting children's rights. For the latest publications and reports from UNICEF, visit our Research and Reports Hub .

When The State of the World’s Children first went into print in 1980, 10 per cent of the children born that year died from preventable causes. By 2018, that number had declined to just 3 per cent. Thanks to milestones such as the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, children are now on global and national policy agendas…, All reports

On 26 October 1965, UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "fulfilling the condition of Nobel's will, the promotion of brotherhood among the nations” and emerging on the world stage as a “a peace-factor of great importance.” This event was made possible by the growth of a global partnership involving governments, private and non-governmental…, Compassion knows no boundaries, "Everyone has understood the language of UNICEF ... even the most reluctant person is bound to admit that in action UNICEF has proved that compassion knows no national boundaries. Aid is given to all children without any distinction of race, creed, nationality or political conviction ... UNICEF has become an international device capable of…

For over 70 years, UNICEF has collected records, items and artifacts that document our story protecting the rights of children everywhere. Our archives capture UNICEF’s global field operations – from our founding in the aftermath of World War II through today – that help children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential. On the ground in more…, Preserving our heritage, The UNICEF Archives preserves and provides public access to information and materials related to our work for children around the world. It further serves as a resource for those interested in researching the evolution of UNICEF and our collaboration with national and global partners in government, civil society and the private sector.  UNICEF…, Where to find us, The UNICEF Archives is housed in 3,000 cubic feet of space in our New York Headquarters. Many other materials are also available at our field and country offices , which can be contacted locally for any archives-related inquiries., Spotlight on the New York Archives, The New York Archives houses content of interest to researchers, students and the world at large. Browse a representative selection of archival materials available at the UNICEF New York Headquarters: Stories: Biographies, correspondence and information on people who have helped steer UNICEF through history. Executive Board documents: Documents…, UNICEF's first greeting card, United States, 1949: Seven-year-old Dzitka Samkova from Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia) painted this image, which was used on UNICEF first greeting cards. United States, 1949: Seven-year-old Dzitka Samkova from Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia) painted this image, which was used on UNICEF's first greeting…, The 1965 Nobel Peace Prize, The original telegram informing UNICEF of having won the Nobel Peace Prize. The original telegram informing UNICEF of having won the Nobel Peace Prize. Nineteen years after its founding, UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize  on 26 October 1965 for "fulfilling the condition of Nobel's will, the promotion of brotherhood among the nations” and…, Pablo Picasso's design for UNICEF's greeting cards, Picasso picture. World-famous artists concerned with the well-being of children have contributed to designs used for UNICEF cards. One such design was a tapestry Pablo Picasso created in 1961, entitled ‘Haven’.  , Maurice Pate’s letter of acceptance, On 11 November 2019, at UNICEF Headquarters in New York, a view of a handwritten letter from UNICEF’s first Executive Director, Maurice Pate, dated on the eve of UNICEF’s foundation, 10 December 1946. On 10 December 1946 — a day before UNICEF came into being — American businessman Maurice Pate penned a note in which he described UNICEF as "a minor…, 'Rights of the Child' drawing by Audrey Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, drew this design on the official First Day Cover of the United Nations Postal Administration for the Rights of the Child and signed a copy for the Archives. UNICEF To commemorate the launch of a United Nations postage stamp on 14 June 1991, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Audrey Hepburn drew a design for ‘The…, Contact us, For information on access and inquiries, please contact the UNICEF Archives. E-mail:  unicefarchives@unicef.org Address: 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, New York 10017

These historical works are made available as a service to researchers and other interested persons.

The urgent action we take today can prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children, especially the most vulnerable. , There is no time to lose. Without immediate funding and key lifesaving interventions to deliver essentials, strengthen health systems and maintain routine services for vulnerable children, an additional 6,000 children under five could die a day – more than 4 children every minute – due to the direct impact of COVID-19. We need you to help us…, RESPOND with vital supplies, Soap, gloves, masks and access to clean water are a lifeline to children and their families. You can give them a fighting chance with access to the basics. Your donation helps UNICEF deliver life-saving medicine, nutritious food and vaccines., Help communities RECOVER, COVID-19 isn’t just tackling under-resourced fragile health systems, it’s attacking the way children access education, the way their families earn an income to cover their needs, and how safe they feel in their homes, communities and countries. This is a child right’s crisis. Right now, UNICEF staff is on the ground doing everything in our power…, Help us REIMAGINE a world that is fit for every child, For more than 70 years, UNICEF has responded to some of the biggest crises our world has faced. We’ve been on the front lines of every pandemic, epidemic, famine and conflict since World War II. We have the experience, tools and partners to not only help communities recover, but also to help them build back better. History shows we can do it. Are…, Put your donation to work today, UNICEF operates the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse, shipping vital supplies to communities battling the virus. Your donation helps us rush supplies where needed most. Because we buy in bulk, we keep costs low so your donation can help more children. We are there before, during and after a crisis. Saving a life is not enough. We learn…, Are you with us?, A donation, no matter how small, can make an impact on a child whose health, safety, education and rights are at risk. With your support, UNICEF will do whatever it takes to ensure children and their families get the urgent support they need.   On 29 January 2020, a shipment of personal protective equipment is seen on arrival before being unloaded…, Other ways to help stop the virus, Icon showing hand washing Learn how to protect yourselves and your families Icon of a computer screen Share your voice and be an advocate for change Icon of a quiz Fight misinformation: test your knowledge, About UNICEF, We will do whatever it takes. Are you with us?