H.E. Mr. Zahid Maleque MP, Minister of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of Bangladesh moderated the session.

All the speakers highlighted SSC as an alternative political and financing tool in developing countries for achieving unfinished ICPD and SDGs 2030 agenda. They have also reiterated their commitments that was made during Tunis Conference held in the last September 2019 towards promoting South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) for achieving ICPD and SDGs. They have strongly recommended for inclusion of the SSTC into the Nairobi Statements.

They have stated that developing countries need more ODA for achieving ICPD, but meanwhile the developed world cannot ignore the contribution made by developing countries towards promoting South-South and Triangular cooperation to address ICPD and SDGs.

It was stated that our strength has been in our collaborations with progressive alliances through the South-South Cooperation to advance a shared national, regional and global development agenda. Our commitment to South-South Cooperation is reflected through a number of regional and international initiatives and platforms, which include our work on population and development in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region, BRICS – the political and socio-economic alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), amongst others.

They have committed for continuing to promote a coherent and integrated implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action and SDGs in the SADC, BRICS, IPPF and other forums because we believe that our partnership with countries of the South is critical to advancing, not only our national agenda but the broader African Development Agenda.  We share a common interest with countries of the South of addressing underdevelopment and its associated challenges.

In conclusion, it was said that SSTC is very relevant development strategy towards the achievement of national goals and SDGs. They have recommended that UNFPA and PPD need to deepening their facilitating role in promoting SSTC. SSTC is a sustainable approach as it is occurred based on the ownership of the governments and agencies involved in mutual benefits.

In addition to that an expert session was organized jointly by PPD and UNFPA to present the experts views on the promotion of SSTC in achieving three Zeros and addressing demographic dividend. The experts from different countries including youth representatives spoken on the importance of SSTC.

Dr. Josephine Kibaru-Mbae, Director General of NCPD of Kenya and member of PPD Board moderated the session. PPD Executive Director presented the theme paper highlighting PPD’s role in responding unfinished ICPD agenda.

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During Kenyan delegation’ stay in Nanjing, participants paid official visits to both community-based health center and large comprehensive hospitals. Chinese medical staff shared Chinese best practices with their counterparts.

In Zhongda Hospital, Kenyan participants learned China’s medical insurance system and its management mechanism. Staff from Zhongda Hospital also shared fundamental research, clinic research and an introduction to the scientific and research projects application system.

In Gulou Hospital, representative from the hospital introduced the organization structure, treatment process, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) (Health Care) and personnel training etc.

Mr. Maxwell Murage, head of Kenyan delegation briefly introduced the current development of Kenyan medical care. He said China’s advanced facility, excellent personnel and sound medical insurance system impressed the delegation very much. He also expressed a further bilateral cooperation between Kenya and China.

The seminar was held under the framework of South-to-South Cooperation with an aim to strengthen exchange and cooperation on discipline construction, personnel exchange and technology transfer in health areas. It is also helpful to improve the mutual understanding and friendship between Kenya and China and implement China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

PPD celebrates the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
12 September 2019
Reaffirming the Commitments for the Implementation of the ICPD PoA and the SDGs 2030 Agenda: Tunis Commitments

Globally 2019 carrying significance as the fortieth anniversary of the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for promoting and implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC), the second high-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 20-22 March 2019. This year also marked the 25^th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo in 1994 and during which Partners in Population and Development (PPD) was established as an inter-governmental organization, by ten founding members to promote South-South cooperation for achieving ICPD goals. Over the last 25 years, PPD reaches its membership to 26 countries; obviously, the commitments of the its member states deepened and became stronger as these countries represent 60% of the world population. The global three economies, i.e., China, India, South Africa which drives the global south-south cooperation and development are the members of PPD which grasped as glorious opportunity houses for PPD.

On the occasion of celebrating its 25 years, PPD, UNFPA and National Office of Family and Population (ONFP) of Tunisia just concluded the 16^th International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South Cooperation in Population and Development from 3 to 4 September 2019 along with the 24^th Annual Board Meeting of PPD in Tunis. The conference attended by 35 countries and 130 participants including Vice-President, Ministers, Vice Ministers, member of parliaments, high-level Government officials, representatives from UN agencies, international organizations, media and academia.

It was a historic consultative gathering representing 35 states with high official dignitaries led by PPD and UNFPA just before the Nairobi Summit reaffirmed the original mandate of ICPD to be implemented to achieve the SDGs 2030 agenda. The 25^th anniversary of ICPD and PPD, further reaffirmed the political commitments considering the foundations of the remarkable progress that the member countries attained over the last 25 years in improving the health and well-being and uplifting the lives of their people by the accelerated implementation of reproductive health, population, poverty alleviation and related programs through South-South Cooperation (SSC) within the framework of ICPD.  The special ministerial session of the 16^th international inter-ministerial conference presented the ministerial renewed commitments towards promoting South-South cooperation as the key accelerator for achieving ICPD PoA and SDGs 2030 Agenda. The ministerial session is eyewitness of releasing the book published by PPD Secretariat with support from UNFPA titled “South-South cooperation in catalyzing achievements of ICPD and SDGs 2030 agenda” that highlights the contribution of South-South Cooperation in achieving ICPD and SDGs in developing countries.

On this 25^th anniversary, PPD and United Nations Office of South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) made a joint commitment and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further deepening South-South cooperation as UNOSSC mandated by the General Assembly to promote support, and mainstream South-South cooperation across the United Nations system and throughout the international development community. This MoU brought PPD and UNOSSC institutionally closer, as both organizations sharing same mandate in promoting South-South cooperation and jointly reaffirmed commitments to accelerate the progress of unfinished ICPD and SDGs. PPD has been involved in promoting South-South cooperation for the attainment of the global population and reproductive health agenda for sustainable development. The mission of PPD is to achieve its vision through sustained advocacy, capacity building, networking, knowledge management and sharing and transfer of technology. PPD and UNOSSC will strengthen their joint efforts, initiatives and mutual collaboration on SSC issues for addressing emerging population challenges in developing countries.

The main objectives of the Tunis Conference were to reaffirm political commitments from PPD member countries to promote SSC at national and global levels as an effective tool for the achievement of the ICPD PoA and the SDGs. With the vested interest of the countries, the conference was designed with five cross-cutting interrelated themes: universal access to reproductive health and family planning services; harnessing demographic dividend including ageing; gender-based violence; maternal death; migration, poverty and health. These sub-themes were bridges with 2 central sessions which are ministerial and “Centers of Excellence” that mainly guides and provides future direction and commitments on harnessing the SSC with institutional bindings at national level plan.

The Tunis conference concluded with acknowledging the achievements till today made by the member countries and recognizes the efforts that the countries made. It has come up with very specific commitments that further reinvigorate the original mandate of PPD in accelerating unfinished ICPD agenda as the ladder for achieving SDGs.

The Delegates of the Tunis Inter Ministerial Conference committed to:

• Accelerating the implementation of ICPD PoA and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. PPD MCs will take the lead among the developing countries in achieving the population and reproductive health-related goals of ICPD and SDGs by 2030.
• Integrating population dynamics into national development plans and programmes to ensure harmonious relations between population on one side and the economy, society and the environment on the other.
• Developing appropriate laws, policies investments and innovative approaches that ensure universal access to family planning and the wider sexual and reproductive health agenda, to support the initiatives for achieving the Three Zeros by 2030 launched by UNFPA, i.e. zero unmet need for contraception, zero preventable maternal deaths, zero gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilations.
• Making responsive policies and actions to address emerging population issues including low fertility and ageing, youth development for harnessing the demographic dividend, SRH & FP services in hard-to-reach areas, including humanitarian and conflict situations and data utilization.
• Increasing financial resources including domestic, bilateral and multilateral funding to increase transformational and effective SSC programs contributing to improved reproductive health, especially reducing maternal and under-five mortality in developing countries.
• Embodying SSC in the specific population and reproductive health strategies and programmes. PPD Member Countries commit to implement PPD Strategic Plan for SSC (2020-2024).
• Strengthening national policies to advance South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation, and to enhance the capacity of national SSC taskforce particularly that of national SSC focal persons, sharing of knowledge, lessons learned and good practices and technical cooperation in the field of population and development.
• Making more efforts in supporting the development of more effective “Centers of Excellence” on SSC for population and development.
• As UNFPA and UNOSSC represented the UN agencies to this conference, the delegates urged UNFPA and UNOSSC to keep and scale up their efforts in promoting South-South and triangular cooperation. The delegates also call upon global Governments, UN agencies and international organization, donors and private sector to commit for more investments to meet the needs of young people by scaling up programs and reaping the demographic dividend opportunity to achieve ICPD and SDGs.

Finally, the delegates of the Tunis emphasized the importance of upcoming Nairobi Summit for ICPD25 to be held in Kenya in November 2019, and encouraged the integration of the Outcome document of the Third China-Africa Conference on Population and Development and the Tunis commitments with the Nairobi outcome documents for enhancing the effectiveness of South-South and Triangular cooperation.

On the occasion of United Nations South-South Cooperation Day, PPD, as an intergovernmental organization of 27 developing countries after the joining of Cote d’Ivoire during Tunis 24^th Board meeting, reaffirms its commitment to work with member and non-member countries, implements the Tunis Commitments and make stronger South-South cooperation for achieving ICPD and SDGs. PPD also wishes to increase its collaboration with UNFPA, UNOSSC and other development partners to leverage South-South Cooperation for achieving the SDGs.

The Chair of PPD Governing Board H.E. Dr. Li Bin, Hon. Vice Chairwomen, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the Governing Board and Executive Committee Members, the Partner Country Coordinators (PCCs), the Executive Director and Staff Members of PPD Secretariat extend their deepest condolences to the National Population Council (CONAPO) of the Government of Mexico on this irreparable loss of a national iconic personality. The PPD family wishes the departed soul of Mr. Carlos Echarri rests in eternal peace and patience and fortitude to his family members to withstand this great tragedy.

The ministerial panel was chaired by Dr. Natalia Kanem, UN Under-Secretary-General, and UNFPA Executive Director and graced by the presence of H.E. Dr. Murad Hasan MP, State Minister of Health and Family Welfare, the Government of Bangladesh, H.E. Ms. Cui Li, Former Vice Minister, National Health Commission, People’s Republic of China, H.E. Dr. Hala Mustafa Zaied, Honorable Minister of Health and Population, Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Carlos Javier ECHARRI Cánovas, Secretary-General, National Population Council (CONAPO) of México; and PPD Board and Executive Committee Member, H.E. Ms Susan Shabangu, Honorable Minister for Social Development, Republic of South Africa; and Secretary of the PPD Board. The Panel offered excellent opportunities for PPD Board members to highlight progress made in their respective countries in achieving the ICPD program of action and efforts to attain the SDGs and the role they played in promoting South-South cooperation as an effective tool to help and assist developing countries to achieve their health and population targets. PPD Board Members recommended the establishment of Centers of Excellence in PPD member countries in collaboration with UNFPA to increase exchange of information, capacity building programs and transfer of technology with developing countries for the achievement of the unfinished agenda of ICPD and the SDGs. The Executive Director of UNFPA expressed her satisfaction on the successful partnership launched between PPD and UNFPA calling for more support to PPD programs and activities including the International Inter Ministerial Conference on SSC in Population and Development to be held in Tunis, Tunisia in October 2019 and the establishment of Centers of Excellence in SSC. The Panel was also attended by Board Members and PCCs from Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Indonesia, Bangladesh, The Gambia, Indonesia, Morocco and Nigeria. High Level Representatives from The Philippines, Zambia and other countries attended the panel discussion.

In his intervention, Mr Adnene Ben Haj Aissa, Executive Director of PPD, expressed his thanks to the Honorable PPD Board members for keeping the promise of their predecessors to promote SSC for the implementation of the ICPD Program of Action highlighting the significant results achieved so far and calling for renewed commitments to face new challenges in attaining the SDGs. The existing partnership between PPD and UNFPA will pave the way for more achievements in attaining global health targets including universal health coverage and leave no one behind.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA; in her speech she stated that UNFPA and PPD are working together to address issues related to unfinished ICPD agenda including SRHR for young people. She emphasized the role of UNFPA in empowering adolescents in developing countries through building their capacities and involve them in planning their future.

The Panel was moderated by Mrs. Gabriela Agosto, Executive Secretary, National Council for Social Policy Coordination of Argentina who gave a brief introduction on the Argentinian experience in addressing SRHR for youth and adolescents.

As a high-level panelist PPD executive director Mr. Adnene Ben Haj Aissa highlighted the importance of South South Cooperation on the accession of celebration 40 years of BAPA a guiding blue print of south-south cooperation and 25 years of ICPD as well as 25 years of PPD. He continued to say that, “We are here in this august gathering to know what we have achieved through South-South Cooperation and what we could do further to empower new generation realizing the demographic dividend in order to achieve ICPD and SDGs”,

In his conclusion Mr. Adnene recommended increasing investment in adolescents and youth for life skills and family education, health, employment, rights and entitlements and engaging them in the planning and implementation of policies and programs. He focused on strengthening south-south cooperation through PPD for more documentation of best practices and sharing them across countries; exchange scholarships and visits; increase technical cooperation and commodity exchange.

Mr. Nofrijal, Principal Secretary of BKKBN and PCC of Indonesia and Dr. Carlos Echarri, Secretary General of CONAPO and PPD Board member of Mexico presented their country’s experiences respectively and progress made in the field of SRHR for adolescents and young people and efforts made for empowering new generation for harnessing demographic dividend.