To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the Philippines and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as well as the 91st birth anniversary of Mr. Rafael M. Salas on 07 August 2019, the Embassy shares this video on the life and legacy of Mr. Salas.

Mr. Salas was the first Executive Director of the UNFPA and the first highest-ranking Filipino in the UN system. He played a critical role in the creation of Philippine policies and programs on population, and in making population a conscious and deliberate issue in the UN and the international community. He led and guided the UNFPA from a small trust fund of the UN system into the world’s largest multilateral provider of assistance on population and development, and reproductive health.

This commemoration is an opportunity to highlight the world-class calibre and leadership of Filipinos in the global arena and the excellent 50-year partnership of PH and UNFPA.