UNITED NATIONS, New York – UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, welcomed Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin as the new Executive Director of UNFPA, who succeeded Thoraya Ahmed Obaid whose tenure ended 31 December 2010.

Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, a Nigerian, is currently Professor of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and the African Spokesperson for the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Prior to this, he served as Minister of Health of Nigeria and was also Director-General of the country’s National Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS. In addition, he was a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies.

"Dr. Osotimehin’s qualifications and extensive experience position him well to lead the global agenda for population and development and to promote the right to sexual and reproductive health," said Ms. Obaid.

Dr. Osotimehin is the fourth Executive Director of UNFPA since it became operational in 1969.