The 20th International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Population and Development, a high-level thematic consultation leading to ICPD30, concluded on 10th October 2023, after two days of insightful discussions and deliberations at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
The conference, held from October 9th to 10th, brought together esteemed dignitaries, policymakers, and experts from various countries and international organizations to deliberate on the implementation status and the future trajectory of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action through the lens of South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).
Day One Highlights:
The opening session on October 9th witnessed notable speakers including Honourable Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, Minister of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe, Honourable Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development, South Africa and PPD Board Chair, as well as esteemed guests such as UN Resident Coordinator Edward Kallon and UNFPA Regional Director Ms. Lydia Zigomo.
Thematic discussions ensued, focusing on the status of implementation and the future of the ICPD Programme of Action. High-level panels, featuring ministers and representatives from various nations including South Africa, Uganda, China, and Morocco, provided critical insights into the ongoing review process and the roles of involved parties.
Day Two Insights:
The second day delved deeper into leveraging SSTC as a catalyst for achieving the ICPD Program of Action. Panels were moderated by Mr. Arthur Erken from UNFPA and featured keynote speeches by Dr. Eliya M. Zulu, among others. Discussions centered on how SSTC could accelerate the achievement of ICPD goals, with panelists representing diverse perspectives from different regions and fields.
The final sessions emphasized the mobilization of SSTC resources, featuring speakers such as Mr. Denis Nkala, Chief, Intergovernmental and United Nations Systems Affairs, UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), Dr. Leticia Adelaide Appiah from Ghana’s National Population Council, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rizal Martua Damanik, Deputy for Training, Research and Development, National Population and Family Planning Board (NPFPB-BKKBN), Government of Indonesia, Dr. Allan T Nhapi, Founder and CEO Harvest Todayand Mrs. Pester Siraha, Country Director of Population Services Zimbabwe.
Closing Session:
The event concluded with a call for action by Honourable Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, urging continued commitment to the conference’s objectives. Honourable Dr. Douglas Mombeshora expressed gratitude and delivered the vote of thanks, highlighting the significance of sustained collaboration in achieving population and development goals.
The conference served as a platform for robust discussions, fostering global cooperation and charting the course for advancing population and development agendas.
For further information and detailed insights from the event please visit – www.partners-popdev.org/20iimc2023
