This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
On the 25th anniversary of the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, world leaders have gathered in Nairobi for the ICPD25 summit to unveil their commitments to end preventable maternal deaths and violence against women and girls by 2030.
Since the inaugural ICPD in 1994, significant gains have been made in strengthening maternal health care and expanding access to quality contraceptive information and services. However, despite these gains, more than 800 women still die during pregnancy and childbirth every day, and 232 million women want to prevent pregnancy but are not using a modern contraceptive.
“It’s now time to finish that unfinished business,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem, emphasizing the need to tackle the remaining challenges and put a stop to gender-based violence, child marriage, and female genital mutilation.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed echoed Dr. Kanem’s sentiments, stating that the bold, rights-based vision of the ICPD anticipated the bold, ambitious vision of the 2030 Agenda. She emphasized that the success of the global agenda for sustainable development depends on carrying forward the outcomes of ICPD.
Kenya and Denmark have made significant commitments to support the ICPD Agenda, with Kenya pledging to accelerate equality, equitable access, and availability of reproductive health services for women and girls. Denmark has also committed to being a major donor in support of women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Hosted by the Governments of Denmark and Kenya and UNFPA, the summit aims to mobilize the political will and secure the financial commitments urgently needed to make sexual and reproductive health a reality for everyone, everywhere.
