On April 1st the UN Commission on Population and Development unanimously adopted a political declaration reaffirming the importance of the ICPD Program of Action. 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development by 179 UN Member States in Cairo, Egypt in 1994.
UNFPA ED Natalia Kanem. Copyright UNFPA The political declaration reaffirms the commitment to the ICPD Program of Action and welcomes progress made so far in the implementation of the ICPD Program of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time the Commission calls for accelerated implementation of the Program of Action, without which the SDGs will not be met. Governments, the UN System and International Financial Institutions are encouraged to assist developing countries in implementing the Program of Action through technical assistance and capacity-building.
Dr Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director stated: “The political declaration shows that what unites us is stronger than what divides us. ICPD is a benchmark for certain truths on which we can all agree: No woman should die giving life. Individuals and couples should be able to choose whether or when to have children and how many they will have. No one should be subjected to gender-based violence. Today is a new beginning, a new surge of momentum for the ICPD agenda. It’s time to bring the promise of Cairo to every person on the planet.”
A joint statement of 49 member states, including Belgium, emphasised that the ICPD Program of action was ground-breaking in 1994 as it shifted the emphasis from numeric population targets to dignity and human rights, including the right to decide if, when and with whom to have children- as fundamental to sustainable development. It stated that “Today, it remains a valid and truly transformative agenda that underpins a far-reaching set of goals linking global health, gender equality, human rights, population dynamics and sustainable development for all.”
To mark the 25th anniversary, the Nairobi Summit will be held in Kenya, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Denmark and UNFPA, 12-14 November 2019.
Dr Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director stated: “The political declaration shows that what unites us is stronger than what divides us. ICPD is a benchmark for certain truths on which we can all agree: No woman should die giving life. Individuals and couples should be able to choose whether or when to have children and how many they will have. No one should be subjected to gender-based violence. Today is a new beginning, a new surge of momentum for the ICPD agenda. It’s time to bring the promise of Cairo to every person on the planet.”
A joint statement of 49 member states, including Belgium, emphasised that the ICPD Program of action was ground-breaking in 1994 as it shifted the emphasis from numeric population targets to dignity and human rights, including the right to decide if, when and with whom to have children- as fundamental to sustainable development. It stated that “Today, it remains a valid and truly transformative agenda that underpins a far-reaching set of goals linking global health, gender equality, human rights, population dynamics and sustainable development for all.”
To mark the 25th anniversary, the Nairobi Summit will be held in Kenya, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Denmark and UNFPA, 12-14 November 2019.
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