As the world gets back to a new normal where travel is once again on the agenda, IPPF’s DG Alvaro Bermejo took time out to meet and advance partnerships with significant partners, donors and stakeholders in trip to Canada, America and Colombia.
After two years of harsh lockdowns with COVID and some funding setbacks IPPF took the opportunity to renew key donor and partner relationships to advocate for increased sustainable funding for SRHR.
He met with key donors including Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the US government and USAID to re-establish IPPF as a key partner and show that IPPF’s role in delivering key SRHR priorities remains strong and aligned with their priorities. In Washington DC, IPPF hosted a community event attended by senior representatives from UNFPA, PPFA, PSI, Global Health Council, and others.
Director, Global Advocacy and Alden Nouga-Ngog, IPPF’s Chief Strategic Partnership & Development
He further met with key UN agencies including the UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem to strengthen the relationships in order to consolidate ties for delivering jointly on SRHR.
Alvaro met with key UN Ambassadors as well to increase pressure and push forward a progressive agenda on SRHR and gender equality as a backdrop for the upcoming processes such as the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and Commission on Population and Development (CPD).
While Alvaro was in New York he met with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s CEO, Alexis McGill Johnson. This was an important discussion to applaud close collaboration between IPPF and PPFA and discuss the current and future global implications of US SRHR policy status.
After these key meetings – Alvaro joined the Americas and the Caribbean Regional (ACRO) team in Bogota Colombia for the opening of the new office and to focus on the strategy for the region going forward led by incoming Regional Director, Eugenia Lopez Uribe.
This was a very strategic decision taken by the leadership of IPPF, during the transformation process, to bring the regional office closer to the member associations, for whom it exists.
ACRO is one of six regional offices. Also at the opening were Dona Da Costa Martinez – Deputy Regional Director of ACRO and Ms. Mina Barling – Director, External Relations at IPPF.
The ACRO Team is motivated and committed to diligently serve its Member Associations, to effectively deliver on their mandate of enabling people to embrace their rights and to make free and informed choices about their SRH, sexuality and wellbeing.
During his whirlwind visit, Alvaro and Eugenia visited the Spanish Embassy and SIDA office, with a view to strengthening donor relations. He also had the opportunity to meet with the President of Profamilia, host of the General Assembly that will take place in Colombia in November this year. The Director General together with the secretariat team visited Profamilia’s offices, clinic and learn more about their programmes.
He met with the MA, Profamilia and their board to brief them on the General Assembly planned for November and which will happen in Bogota. Strengthening of donor relations was also a key priority during the visit to Colombia and meetings with the Spanish Embassy and SIDA was also part of the visit.
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