EVENT:  Informal plenary meeting of the General Assembly to mark the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development

DATE:  Monday, 29 April 2024, 3-6 pm

VENUE:  Trusteeship Council Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York

In 1994, Governments came together in Cairo, Egypt at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and adopted its Programme of Action. This landmark agreement transformed global thinking on population and development and defined a bold agenda, placing people’s dignity and rights at its heart. The Programme of Action affirmed that inclusive and sustainable development requires a people-centred approach that addresses the needs, aspirations, and rights of all persons. The Programme of Action also recognized the critical role of civil society, including women- and youth-led organizations, and of the private sector in supporting its implementation.

Thirty years after the Cairo Conference, we shall take stock of the progress made in implementing the Programme of Action while also identifying areas where further action is needed. Reaffirming the importance of implementing the Programme of Action for achieving all Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is important – in particular, for Goal 1 on ending poverty, Goal 3 on healthy lives and well-being, Goal 4 on quality education, Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, Goal 10 on reduced inequalities and Goal 13 on climate action. The people-centred approach of the ICPD and the special attention it gives to vulnerable populations helps to ensure that no one is left behind.

Since 1994, the world has experienced new challenges and opportunities. Major occurrences in recent years – including the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid advancements in technology – have led the world to a crucial crossroad that necessitates recommitment to the values that underpin multilateralism. We must ensure that our approaches and our solutions are fit for purpose.

Thirty years after its adoption, we have seen tangible gains and progress from the implementation of the Programme of Action which include poverty reduction, life expectancy and food security.

Maternal deaths have declined, and access to primary education has expanded for both boys and girls.

However, progress has been uneven both within and among countries and the multifaceted crises facing the world today place many of the gains made so far, at risk. Amidst this, the Programme of Action remains a critical framework for addressing challenges and seeking opportunities in the area of population and development for the benefit of present and future generations.

With merely six years remaining until 2030, urgent and concerted efforts are required to steer the global community back towards a trajectory that aligns with our aspirations of a world where no one is left behind.

The upcoming Summit of The Future is an opportunity to actively generate transformative action that would see us scale up commitments towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

Objective

The meeting aims to mark the 30th Anniversary of the ICPD and will focus on leveraging the ICPD Program of Action in moving towards inclusive, resilient, equitable and peaceful societies that place people at the centre of development.

Format

The meeting will include an opening and a plenary segment. Member states wishing to deliver statements during the plenary segment are requested to inscribe through the e-delegate portal. The time limit for statements will be three minutes for individual delegations and five minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of States.

The meeting will be open to Member States and Observers, as well as the United Nations system and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations.

The event is open to representatives of NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC with active UN grounds passes. The meeting will also be broadcast live on UN Web TV