Austin Ruse President | The Center for Family and Human Rights

The year 2024 witnessed several significant developments at the United Nations regarding issues of life and family. Various international agreements faced pushback, with contributions from African delegates and unexpected allies.

During negotiations marking the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Cairo Conference on Population and Development, traditional countries successfully blocked any mention of abortion and LGBTQ+ issues. The term "sexual and reproductive health," initially introduced as a euphemism for abortion, has become increasingly contentious over the years.

African delegates played a crucial role in defending family values during the UN's annual resolution on the family. This resolution, which has remained free from abortion and gender ideology influences, faced attempts by Western countries to introduce abortion language. These efforts were thwarted thanks to the Ambassador of Burundi to the United Nations.

In another development, Reem Alsaleem, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, took a stand against transgender ideology in sports. In her report to the General Assembly, she urged states to prevent "men who self-identify as women" from competing against women and girls in sports, labeling it a form of violence. Earlier in the year, she also presented a report against prostitution at the Human Rights Council.

At this year's G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy's diplomats managed to exclude explicit references to "access to safe and legal abortion" from the final statement. Despite pressure from leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden, Italy's stance prevailed under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's leadership.

The election of Donald Trump as U.S. President for a second term brought hope to pro-life advocates worldwide. Known for his strong anti-abortion stance during his first term, Trump's victory was celebrated by conservatives globally. Questions remain about whether he will continue his previous policies or adopt new strategies regarding UN abortion policies.