The International Conference on Population and Development

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD or Cairo), convened under the auspices of the United Nations, took place in Cairo, Egypt, September 5-13, 1994. It brought together representatives from over 180 governments and 1,254 nongovernmental organizations.

The Programme of Action, an outcome of this meeting, adopted by 179 governments, marked a new understanding among world bodies—that population and development are inextricably linked, and that women's empowerment is the key to both. And, for the first time, the reproductive and sexual health and rights of women became a central element in an international agreement on population and development.

Click here to read the Report of the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 5-13 Sept. 1994).

To access the Programme of Action directly in English, French, and Spanish, visit UNFPA's website here.

2009, marks the 15th year of the 20-year Programme of Action. It offers us an opportunity to reflect on our progress to date and to take a real look at the challenges that lie ahead not only for the next 5 years, but beyond. This part of our website aims to educate you about the ICPD goals, the programme of action and the diversity of its agenda. It also ties the ICPD Programme of Action (PoA) with the Millenium Develoment Goals (MDGs) and explains how the achievement of one, progresses the other.

 

How is APA Working towards the ICPD Goals?

Our Advocacy Plan

Every 2 years, APA members meet to evaluate our Advocacy Action plan from the previous 2 years and to collectively agree on an approach that will continue to work towards achieving the ICPD Programme of Action. A copy of our most recent Advocacy Plan can be found by following this link here.

Working with Parliamentarians

On 21-22 November 2006, over 300 participants, including parliamentarians and ministers from around 100 countries, met in Bangkok, Thailand, for the third International Parliamentarians' Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (IPCI/ICPD).

Other participants included representatives from non-governmental organizations, UNFPA, national, regional and global parliamentary groups on population and development as well as experts and government officials.

During the two-day meeting, the lawmakers pledged to step up efforts to ensure that everyone has access to family planning, services for safe pregnancy and childbirth, and the means to prevent sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDs.

At the conclusion of the conference, the parliamentarians and ministers unanimously adopted the Bangkok Statement of Commitment, which reaffirmed their support of the Programme of Action of the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and its "indispensable role" in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Hosted by the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians for Population and Development (AFPPD), a joint session was arranged by APA, to facilitate a 1 day dialogue between Parliamentarians and civil society members on what can be achieved using Evidence-Based Advocacy. Community representatives talking with Parliamentarians about how policy, programme and political agenda affected them, their families and communities on a real and every day level. A summary of the dialogue can be found by following this link here.