The ceremonial signing of the Declaration was organised in the form of a virtual meeting at the initiative of the US government. The event took place in Washington, D.C. and was attended by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.

The objective of the Declaration is to underline the fundamental role of women and family in society as well as the need to provide women with the same rights and conditions for personal and professional development that men have. The document highlights that protection of human life is the inalienable right of every man; it also points out that the international system for the protection of human rights does not include the concept of ‘the right to abortion’ and, moreover, that every state has the right to shape its own legislation in this area. The Declaration also underlines the need to protect family as the foundational unit of society, as well as the importance of the UN system in the process of implementing these values. The document has been supported by over 30 countries inhabited by 1.6 billion people around the world, including the US, Brazil, Egypt, and Hungary.

In his address, recorded as a video message, Minister Zbigniew Rau joined the signatories of the Declaration, stressing the fundamental and universal role family plays in the development of a strong society, and the right of every woman to lead a healthy life.

 

MFA Press Office

Video Gabriel Piętka /MFA