 Today, we celebrate the International Day of the Midwife as part of the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. Midwives play a vital role in providing essential health services, but we need more midwives in all countries, especially low-resource countries. Midwifery is a best buy for governments. Research shows that interventions delivered by midwives could avert over 80% of all maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Midwives are with women before, during and after pregnancy and childbirths, providing family planning, cervical cancer screening and breastfeeding support. They play a leading role in preventing infections, helping to prevent unnecessary medical interventions and reducing complications. And they are with women during the most difficult times, including wars, natural disasters, and now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Midwives give dignity to women, but they deserve to have their own dignity protected. Many experience verbal, physical and sexual harassment at work. Midwives deserve and demand our respect. And so much more, including quality education, good pay, and a safe and supportive workplace. I am pleased to see the strengthening of partnerships with our sister UN agencies, UNFPA and UNICEF, and especially with the International Confederation of Midwives. And I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Midwife Association President, my sister Franca, and to the midwives of the world. I thank you.