PPD events are being held in conjunction with the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP). The Ministerial Session preceded commencement of ICFP, that started on the same day to complete on 17 November 2022. As a matter fact, PPD Ministerial Session set the motion for deliberations in the subsequent ICFP Sessions, which is expected to deal mainly with research findings and technical guidance for repositioning and advancing Family Planning towards creating quality populations to achieve sustainable development. Our Founding Member Country, the Royal Thai Government has been graciously hosting the Ministerial Session and subsequent PPD events being organized on the sideline of the ICFP.

Presided over by Mr. Jacques van Zuydam, the designated representative of PPD Chair Ms. Lindiwe Zulu MP, Minister of Social Development of South Africa, PPD Thailand Board Member Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai delivered the Welcome Remarks, while UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Ms. Diene Keita made a very inspiring statement reiterating UNFPA’s commitment for continued partnership with PPD in the common areas of interest in the years to come.

The substantive deliberations of the Ministerial Session were also presided over by PPD Chair’s designated representative Mr. Jacques Van Zuydam and moderated by PPD Executive Committee Member of Kenya r. Mohamed Seikh. Official statements on behalf of the respective PPD Member Country governments were made by H.E. Dr. C. Chiwenga, PPD Board Member and Hon. Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe; H.E. Mr. Zahid Maleque MP, PPD Board Member and Hon. Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh; H.E. Dr. Yu Xuejun, PPD Vice-Chair and Honorable Vice Minister of National Health Commission, Government of China, H.E. Dr. Dereje Dhuguma State Minister, Ministry of Health Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; H.E. Mr. Amos Lugoloobi, PPD Board Member and Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Government of Uganda, H.E. Dr. Hasto Wardoyo, SpOG (K), PPD Board Treasurer and Hon. Chairperson National Population and Family Planning Board, Government of Indonesia; Dr. Leticia Adelaide Appiah, PPD Board Member and Executive Director, National Population Council (NPC), Republic of Ghana;
Dr. Mohamed A. Sheikh, PPD Executive Committee Member and Director General, National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), Government of Kenya; Dr. Sabina Durrani, Director General of Population Program Wing, National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Government of Pakistan; Dr. Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Gueye, Technical Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Health and Social Action, Government of Senegal.

The Closing Session was chaired by Bangladesh Minister H.E. Mr. Zahid Maleque MP, who summarized the most salient features of the statements made by PPD Member Country Ministers/Board Members. The outcome of the Ministerial Session constituted a Call for Action, which was presented by Mr. Jacques van Zuydam and adopted by the Ministers/PPD Board Members. Following the Vote of Thanks delivered by the host Board Member Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, the Chair delivered the Closing Remarks and formally adjourned the session.

The Officer-in-Charge of PPD Secretariat Mr. Patrick Mugirwa extended warm welcome to the PCC and the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry.

PPD Secretariat under the leadership of the PPD Governing Board Chair, H.E. Ms. Lindiwe Zulu MP, Honorable Minister of Social Development of South Africa has been engaged in the preparation for the 37^th Executive Committee Meeting of Partners in Population and Development (PPD). The 37^th Executive Committee Meeting is also being coincided with the Interview of the Candidates for the post of new PPD Executive Director, which was fallen vacant after the departure of the former Executive Director.

The PCC inquired about the well-being of the Secretariat staff members and ensured that her office will extend all necessary support and assistance to the smooth operation of PPD Secretariat in Dhaka. Regarding organization of the 37^th Executive Committee Meeting of PPD and Interview of the Candidates for the position of the PPD Executive Director, Dr. Ashrafi Ahmad assured the Officer-in-Charge all necessary support and assistance on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of Bangladesh. She had a quick review of the ongoing preparations for organization of the forthcoming events in Dhaka. She reiterated that her office under the leadership of the Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare H.E. Mr. Zahid Maleque MP, PPD Board and Executive Committee Member, will do everything necessary for seamless organization of the forthcoming events. She added that Bangladesh will extend the highest possible courtesies and hospitality to the Executive Committee Members and Ministers. She expressed her willingness to work in close coordination with the PPD Secretariat for organization of the forthcoming events. She requested the OIC Mr. Patrick Mugirwa to maintain continued communication with her office informing whatever support and assistance are required towards organization of the events. Mr. Patrick Mugirwa extended profound appreciation and gratitude to the PCC for visiting the Secretariat and for the positive gesture she has demonstrated, particularly towards the organization of the events.

After conclusion of the meeting, the PCC visited different facilities in the PPD Secretariat compound.

PPD is extremely proud of the BKKBN of Indonesia as the principal focal institution representing the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and one of the pioneering founding member countries and current Treasurer of PPD Board. We hope that BKKBN will keep up the spirit of assisting the developing countries in improving their population programs in the years to come.

Objectives of the PPH Training Program in Bangladesh:

1. To disseminate the standard protocol management for active management of 3rd stage of labour and to ensure uniform and safe Institutional practice
2. To train the service providers (doctors, midwives, nurses, FWVs) of the institutes to perform active management of 3rd stage of labour for all birthing women
3. To inform the rational use of Uterotonic drugs – Oxytocin, ergometrine, and role of Misoprostol for preventing PPH
4. To discuss, demonstrate and to train the service providers regarding the evidence based management of PPH

The Honourable Chair of PPD also dispatched a very high-level South African government delegation consisting of the senior officials from her Ministry to oversee the smooth transition of PPD Secretariat management in concert with the PCC of Bangladesh and also to discuss with the Bangladesh PCC about the preparations for the forthcoming 37^th Executive Committee Meeting scheduled for 17 and 18 July 2022. The South African government delegation in a meeting with the Bangladesh PCC Dr. Ashrafi Ahmad ndc at the latter’s Office on 24 May 2022, requested her involvement and support in the smooth transition of the Secretariat Management and for the seamless preparations for the 37^th Executive Committee Meeting. The Bangladesh PCC Dr. Ashrafi Ahmad ndc warmly welcomed the South African delegation, had in-depth discussion and exchanges in a cordial atmosphere and assured necessary support and assistance to the PPD Secretariat management transition and preparations for the 37^th Executive Committee Meeting. The South African delegation completed their mission by witnessing the handing over and taking over between the outgoing Executive Director and the Officer-in-Charge.

The South African delegation from the Office of the Chair of PPD also had exchange of views with the senior officials of the PPD Secretariat on the overall working environment prevailing in the PPD Secretariat including the transition in the management and preparations for the forthcoming 37^th Executive Committee Meeting. The Office of the Bangladesh PCC and PPD Secretariat Staff Members assembled in a reception hosted in honour of the visiting South African delegation.