Japan reiterated its commitment to African Countries

The Government of Japan reiterated its commitment to provide technical and financial assistance to Africa. These announcements came out in the Ministerial Follow-up Meeting of TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development) held in Gaborone between 21st and 23rd March 2009, jointly organized by the Government of Japan and the Government of Botswana. The Government of Japan invited Mr. Harry S. Jooseery, Executive Director of PPD, to attend this important meeting.

The Ministers and delegations of Japan and African countries, together with the representatives of other partner countries, international and regional organizations, private sector and civil society organizations, met in Gaborone, Botswana in order to review the progress of the TICAD Meeting, held in Yokohama. The Meeting was co-chaired by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Botswana, and was officially opened by the former Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr Yasuo Fukuda, and Vice President of Botswana, H.E, Lt. General Mompati Merafhe.

PPD team met the new Board Member of Bangladesh

PPD team led by the Executive Director Mr. Harry Jooseery met with H.E. Prof. Dr. Ruhal Haque, MP Minister of health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) and new Board Member of Bangladesh on 18th March 2009.

Meeting with H.E. Prof. Ruhal Hoque, MP
Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Bangladesh

The team briefed Honorable minister about PPD mission, vision and the new Strategic Business Plan and related activities. Moreover, the PPD team informed the Minister about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between China and PPD in order to provide technical assistance to Bangladesh.

Prolific meeting in Cambodia

The Executive Director of PPD, Mr. Harry Jooseery, met the His Excellency Mr. Mam Bun Heng Minister of Health and Senior Officials from Cambodia on 30 to 31 March, 2009. Minister of Health, expressed his willingness to become a of PPD Member and pool resources in the areas of common interest.

Apart from this, the Executive Director visited the National Office for Population. He met officials and faculty members and addressed on the need of South-South Cooperation in the field of Reproductive Health and Population.

Center of Excellence for Reproductive health services: China will support Bangladesh.

The Government of China will offer assistance in the form of equipment, expert services and training worth of US $ 500,000 to Bangladesh. The support is aimed to creating a Center of Excellence for providing Reproductive Health services to the clients.

This pronouncement loomed in a cordial meeting between Prof. Ruhal Haque, MP Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) of Bangladesh, and Dr. Li Bin, Honorable Minister in Charge of National Population and Family Planning Commission of China.PPD has facilitated this high level cordial meeting during the Global Meeting of Health Ministers held in Beijing, China, on 1st April 2009.

Benin committed to constitute a National Task Force for South-South Cooperation

The Director of the Cabinet of the Government of Benin, Dr. Moussa Yarou, formally inaugurated the National Task Force Meeting held at INFOSYS Auditorium on 10th April 2009 in Cotonou, Benin. The Executive Director of PPD addressed the participants at the opening and made a presentation on PPD Program activities. Authorities from Benin committed to constitute the National Task Force as a mechanism for promotion and strengthening South-South Activities at national level.

Beside this, the Executive Director met with Dr. Quenum Alban, Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Pierre Klissou, and Assistant UNFPA Representative.

Pakistan on the boulevard to the constitution of National Task Force on South-South Cooperation:

PPD and the Ministry of Population Welfare of Pakistan jointly organized a Workshop at Islamabad Hotel on 13 April 2009, to create a National Support Structure for South-South Cooperation in Pakistan.

Her Excellency Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Population Welfare of Pakistan and Mr. Harry Jooseery, PPD Executive Director, addressed the participants at the opening session. On the other hand, Mr. Jooseery made a statement on the concept of South-South Cooperation including rationale and strategies for creation a National Task Force in Pakistan.

The workshop was attended by 150 participants from Government Ministries, United Nations Agencies such as UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, World Bank, and other regional and international organizations.

H.E. Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan
Minister for Population Welfare of Pakistan

Besides, PPD Executive Director had a special meeting with PPD Board Member and Minister of Population Welfare at her office, and discussed issues relating to the constitution of the proposed support structure, RH Commodity Security, assistance to Pakistan in developing a RH Centre of Excellence. PPD Executive Director met also with Pakistan UNFPA Representative Mr. Daniel B. Baker, and discussed further collaboration with PPD.

PPD International Program Advisory Committee (IPAC) met in Bali

PPD’s IPAC had a prolific meeting in Bali on 19th and 20th April 2009. This meeting was jointly organized by PPD and BKKBN in order to discuss about the PPD’s position in present economic downturn. This two day long IPAC meeting became lively with leading presentation by Mr. Jyoti Singh, PPD Permanent Observer to the UN, Dr. K.S Seetharam and Dr. SLN Rao, consultant of PPD.

The opening session of the Second IPAC Meeting, Bali

Dr. Sugiri Syarief, Chairperson of National Family Planning Coordination Board (BKKBN), the Government of Indonesia and PPD Board Member from Indonesia was inaugurated the meeting. At the opening Session , Executive Director of PPD Mr. Harry S. Jooseery highlighted on key factors that need to be considered in the economic downturn and its impact on South-South Programs .

Participants of the Meeting

Bali gathering ended with productive discussions and came up with following bunch of recommendations for the enhancement of PPD: