The 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA) has reinforced the centrality of the Cairo agenda to achieving just and sustainable development across the globe. While we are winding to a close of the celebration of this global consensus agreement that first acknowledged sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as integral to achieving rights based sustainable development, we are again reminded of this contribution as it is reiterated through the discussions over the upcoming Summit of the Future (SoTF) in September. The inclusion of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Pact of the Future is imperative not only to ensure strong and relevant outcomes, but to ensure they are meaningful for future generations.
In May, the 57th Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Assessed the Status of Implementation of the ICPD PoA and its contribution to the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The resulting Political Declaration emphasized the renewal of the full and accelerated implementation of the PoA, as well as the need to urgently address its unfinished business. The Declaration went further to emphasize its importance to other relevant multilateral processes, such as the SoTF, and recognized the need for both increased political will and the mobilization of resources to achieving the agenda.
Asia and the Pacific governments amplified the outcomes of the 7th Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC) at the CPD, stressing the multidimensional crisis facing the region. While acknowledging the diversity of the region, the systemic challenges faced by rising inequalities and inequities, and ongoing conflict in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, government also recognized that ensuring the human right of women and girls and gender diverse people has a multiplier effect for sustainable development.
The Importance of ICPD PoA for Future-Proofing Asia and the Pacific
A virtual CPD side event, “Building Momentum for ICPD: Championing investments in Asia and the Pacific”, was organized by APA and our Members IPPF ESEAOR, FP 2030 Asia and the Pacific, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa along with partners Diva for Equality, IPPF SARO, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants and Tsao Foundation. The event gathered SRHR champions from across Asia and the Pacific and aimed to deepen the conversations around how the PoA can advance progress and ‘future proof’ the region of Asia and the Pacific
The side event provided a much-needed space for civil society from the Asia and the Pacific to engage in CPD discussions, as many from the Global South face significant barriers to participation in global intergovernmental meetings such as CPD that take place at the UN HQ in New York. Participants called for increased investments into the region and looked forwards to the Summit of the Future negotiation process. The importance of the inclusion of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and overall strengthening the human rights pillar were highlighted as a prerequisite for a robust, forward-looking Pact of the Future outcome document that is fit-for-purpose and relevant for the region.
APA Oral Statements: Forward Looking Solutions for SRHR Challenges
APA and our Members delivered strong Oral Statements at 57CPD that underscored the main challenges and gaps in the region – pointing to demographic shifts, inequalities, and proposing forward looking solutions for SRHR challenges.
“Population is not just about numbers; it's about people….. Enhancing people’s capabilities, expanding their freedoms, and creating opportunities for all are critically needed to reap the outstanding benefits of four dividends: the demographic dividend, the gender dividend, the silver dividend and the democratic dividend,” underscored Population Foundation of India.
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa stressed, “the need for universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion services and post-abortion care, that meets the needs of diverse populations and takes a life course approach."
Geographic disparities and inequalities were highlighted by Family Planning Australia, stressing the need “to address inequities in access to healthcare, including affordable contraception and comprehensive sexuality education.”
Finally, APA’s joint statement urged Member States to recognize and expand civic spaces and resources to foster meaningful and participatory civil society engagement at the national, regional and international level.
The Moment for Accountability is Now
As the third revision of the Pact of Future has just been released, it recognizes that the achievement of full human potential and sustainable development is not possible if women, girls and gender diverse people are denied full human rights and opportunities. We are pleased to see the reference to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and reproductive rights (RR) is retained in Action 8, and SRH included in Action 37. As we enter the final weeks of negotiations we are calling on governments and all stakeholders to commit to inclusion of SRHR to ensure an outcome that is balanced, ambitious, action-oriented, and forward-looking. One which truly sends a message of solidarity and collective action during a time of profound global transformation.
