For the second time in three years, a United Nations distinction has been associated with the name of Angeline Ndayishimiye. After receiving the United Nations Population Award in her personal capacity in 2023, it is now the Bonne Action Umugiraneza Foundation, founded in 2019 and led by her, that is among the two laureates of the Award. Granted following an international selection process, the distinction recognizes each year one individual and one institution whose contributions are considered outstanding in the fields of population, reproductive health and human development. (Le Mandat)
The Bonne Action Umugiraneza Foundation, led by Burundi’s First Lady Angeline Ndayubaha Ndayishimiye, is one of the two laureates of the United Nations Population Award. The award ceremony took place on 8 July 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The other laureate is Senegalese Professor Serigne Magueye Gueye, who received the individual award for his contribution to maternal health and reconstructive surgery in Africa.
Before the two laureates were selected, governments, institutions and other eligible organizations submitted nominations to the United Nations Population Award Committee. After reviewing the nominations, the Committee selected one individual laureate and one institutional laureate.
From personal recognition to recognition of her foundation
This year’s edition marks a new milestone compared with 2023.
That year, Angeline Ndayishimiye received the United Nations Population Award in her personal capacity. This time, the distinction has been awarded to the Bonne Action Umugiraneza Foundation, established in 2019.
In her acceptance speech, Burundi’s First Lady described the award as “a great honour” for the Foundation, for Burundi and for all those committed to serving vulnerable people. She also said that the recognition represented “both a privilege and a responsibility.”
Among the Foundation’s achievements, she highlighted support provided to women suffering from obstetric fistula, as well as the establishment of the Umugiraneza Polyclinic, which, according to her, houses Burundi’s first in vitro fertilization (IVF) centre.
The Secretary-General’s message delivered in his absence
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres did not attend the ceremony. His message was delivered on his behalf by Diene Keita, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
In his message, the Secretary-General noted that demographic shifts—including population ageing, declining birth rates, migration and urbanization—are reshaping the world and require a collective response, particularly as they affect progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing the Pact for the Future.
He stressed that achieving true demographic resilience requires placing the rights, dignity and well-being of all people at the heart of development efforts. He also called for greater investment to end preventable maternal deaths, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health, prioritize quality essential services, and empower every person—including persons with disabilities—to realize their full potential.
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The Secretary-General also paid tribute to the two laureates. He praised Professor Serigne Magueye Gueye, whose clinical excellence and humanitarian dedication have transformed medical care across Africa, and commended the Bonne Action Umugiraneza Foundation for championing maternal health while building local capacity.
How muck is the Award worth?
The United Nations does not disclose the exact monetary value of the prize awarded to each laureate.
However, a documentary analysis conducted by Le Mandat News Agency, based on reports of the Award Committee and the financial statements of the Award Trust Fund, shows that annual expenditures related to the Award—including the prizes presented to the laureates, gold medals, diplomas and ceremony-related expenses—amounted to approximately US$62,000 in 2025 and US$63,000 in 2024.
Based on these figures, the overall budget for the 2026 edition was likely of a similar magnitude. However, the official documents do not specify the amount allocated individually to each of the two laureates.
A distinction established by the United Nations General Assembly
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, the United Nations Population Award recognizes each year one individual and one institution whose contributions are considered outstanding in the fields of population and reproductive health.
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Beyond recognizing the annual laureates, the Award enables the United Nations to highlight initiatives it considers important contributions to human development.
