Ankara, Türkiye – The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, today signed a global partnership agreement (Cooperation Protocol), marking a new phase in their mutual objectives to advance women’s health, rights, and empowerment in countries where TİKA and UNFPA operate.

UNFPA and TİKA have already been working together on impactful initiatives, including improving access to cervical cancer screening and services for people with disabilities in Georgia, and strengthening maternal and child health through midwifery education in Mexico. Building on these achievements, the new global partnership aims to enhance collaboration and unlock opportunities for broader cooperation across multiple regions.

The partnership will continue focusing on priority areas such as maternal and reproductive health and support for disadvantaged groups, including women, girls, people with disabilities and older persons, as well as income generation initiatives, capacity building for healthcare professionals, and humanitarian response.

“Today’s agreement reinforces our shared commitment to ensuring that every woman everywhere can access essential health services, live free from violence, and fully exercise their rights,” said Florence Bauer, UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. “We value TİKA’s strong role in global cooperation, and we look forward to expanding our work together to leave no one behind."

“As TİKA, we are pleased to strengthen our collaboration with UNFPA, one of the UN’s key partners in advancing health and sustainable development globally,” stated Abdullah Eren, President of TİKA. “Through this agreement, we aim to reach more people and support countries in improving the well-being of women and girls.”

The Cooperation Protocol formalizes cooperation at the global level and is expected to accelerate future joint initiatives to protect and empower women and girls.