We, the members of Partners in Population and Development, representing 16 countries - Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Egypt, The Gambia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe - met at the PPD's Sixth Annual Board meeting in Beijing, China from 2-6 November 2000, chaired by H E Prof Dr Ismail Sallam, Minister of Health and Population, Egypt, and Chair, PPD Board.

i. Five Year Strategy

We are committed to: The Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), within which the mission of PPD was formulated in Harare in 1995.

We are concerned that: The ICPD agenda is unfinished, and still poses many challenges to developing countries.

We are aware that: The current PPD Strategic Plan, 'Consolidating our gains, 1999-2001' is ending.

Zimbabwe proposed that the PPD's Sixth Board Meeting congratulate the PPD Secretariat for presenting a pragmatic and comprehensive strategy for the period 2001-2005. Subject to the incorporation of comments and suggestions made at this Beijing Meeting, we further propose that the PPD Board formally approve and adopt the PPD strategy for 2001-2005, together with accompanying manuals on administration, personnel and finance.

PPD agreed to adopt the PPD five year strategic plan for 2001-2005.

ii. Drugs and Commodities

We note that: The cost of drugs and commodities for reproductive health is beyond the affordability of countries in the South.

We acknowledge that: The quality of production is a critical element in the acceptability of any product, and that manufacture of drugs and commodities for reproductive health is taking place in some of the member countries.

We call upon: Pharmaceutical agencies present in the member countries to give consideration to quality production at rates affordable to the member countries and the South.

We urge: Member countries to advocate for a reduction in the cost of commodities and drugs through bulk purchasing.

We urge: Member countries to advocate for the development and adoption protocols for certifying quality production, information sharing, marketing and procurement of drugs and commodities for sexual and reproductive health.

We urge: Member countries to note those aspects of international trade agreements, World Trade Organization (WTO) limitations and TRIPS restrictions which may adversely affect their access to essential drugs and commodities for reproductive health. Member countries and other countries of the South are called on to protect their existing and future capacity to provide essential drugs and commodities at the lowest possible cost. This protection should include rights to parallel importation, compulsory licensing and local manufacture of essential drugs and commodities.

iii. HIV/AIDS

We are deeply concerned that: Nearly twenty-nine percent (29%) of people with HIV/AIDS reside in member countries, and that the majority of the citizens of member countries have no access to affordable care options.

We noted with concern that: Vaccine development research in member countries is based on subtypes not prevalent within member countries.

We advocate for: Solidarity, and a louder and stronger political voice from the South on matters concerning prevention and care for HIV/AIDS-related ill health.

We urge: All member countries to scale up and replicate the established, effective prevention and care models existing in other member countries such as Thailand and Uganda.

We call upon: The international community to free resources and technology for the research of AIDS vaccines on relevant subtypes.

We urge: The international community to increase their response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly for combating opportunistic infections and for anti-retroviral drugs.

iv. Resource Access

PPD joins the developing countries in lobbying and advocating for debt relief/annulment to enable the poorer South to maximize their limited resources to expand and strengthen reproductive health, population and development programs.

The PPD strategy should therefore incorporate mechanisms to explore access and utilization of funds released as a result of debt annulment, and further strengthen and improve sustainable South-South programs in reproductive health, population and development.

v. Collaboration with WHO

We recognize that: PPD and WHO/RHR are involved in similar areas of health and population, thereby providing an excellent opportunity to collaborate on matters of mutual interest through which Partner and non-partner countries would benefit.

We agree: To sign an MOU with RHR/WHO covering areas of collaboration related to institutional networking, translating research into action, capacity strengthening, dissemination and advocacy.

We recognize that: Effective actions to reduce maternal and peri-natal mortality need to be scaled up.

We realize that: Diseases such as TB, HIV/AIDS, Malaria and reproductive health conditions perpetuate illness and premature deaths in developing countries.

We resolve to: Support WHO’s call for a 'Massive Effort Against the Diseases of Poverty' and to work with WHO and other agencies in the fight against these diseases.

vi. Fellowship and Volunteers Programs

We note with satisfaction that: Member countries have intensified their commitment in offering fellowships to other countries in the South, irrespective of their membership status.

We recognize that: The PPD fellowship program has become a significant mechanism for mobilizing financial and technical resources from the South.

We note that: The PPD Secretariat has institutionalized the fellowship program by providing support for inter-country transportation and living expenses for participants.

We call upon: All member countries to benefit from this program both as recipients and providers of fellowships.

We urge: The member countries to consolidate the program by promoting a culture of volunteerism among technical experts from the South, willing to work in other developing countries for the local costs of the recipient country.

vii. Appreciation

We note with appreciation: the willingness and commitment of the State Family Planning Commission of China to host the Sixth PPD Board meeting.

We recognize that: Extensive preparations have gone into the planning for the meeting.

We acknowlede: The warm hospitality offered by the State Family Planning Commission of China to the honorable board members and the distinguished delegates.

We thank: The Government of China, H E Mr Wang Zhongyu, the State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China, H E Mr Zhang Weiqing, the Minister in charge of the State Family Planning Commission of China, and request the Honorable Board member H E Ms Zhang Yuqin to convey our gratitude to the Premier of the people’s Republic of China and his people.

We accept with thanks: The offer by the Government of India to host a technical meeting to enhance information sharing on the manufacture of drugs and commodities for sexual and reproductive health.

We accept with thanks: The offer by the Government of Zimbabwe to host the next Executive Committee Meeting in July 2001 and accept with thanks the invitation of the Government of Tunisia to host the Seventh PPD Board meeting in November 2001.