The workshop employed a blended learning approach, comprising multiple elements to maximize engagement and efficacy. The event served as a culmination following active listening sessions during the International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Population and Development held on October 9-10, 2023, at the same venue. Additionally, participants completed a pre-requisite online course focused on SSTC in Programming.

Among the anticipated outcomes of this comprehensive engagement were:

1. Strengthened Network of Countries Advocating SSTC: The workshop fostered a strengthened network among participating countries, fostering an environment conducive to robust collaboration and information exchange.

2. Drafting of Country-Specific SSTC Plans: Attendees worked on crafting country-specific plans to effectively implement SSTC strategies, focusing on programming and monitoring within their respective regions.

3. Enhanced Capacity in Knowledge Management and Resource Mobilization: Participants gained advanced skills in utilizing knowledge management tools, alongside developing capacities and mobilizing resources dedicated to SSTC initiatives.

The event concluded on an optimistic note, with participants expressing enthusiasm for the actionable plans devised during the workshop. The commitment to fostering cooperation among nations to address population and development challenges stood as a testament to the shared dedication toward achieving sustainable progress.

The workshop’s outcomes are expected to significantly contribute to advancing collaborative efforts in population and development, underscoring the importance of continued cooperation among nations in addressing global challenges.

The conference, held from October 9^th to 10^th, 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 9^th 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

The primary Agendas of this prestigious meeting were –

1. Opening Remarks and adoption of the 38^th EXCO meeting Agenda by H.E. Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, Chair, PPD Board, South Africa.
2. Welcoming Remarks by H.E. Mr. Zahid Maleque, MP, Host Country Minister of Health and Board of PPD, Bangladesh.
3. Adoption of the 37^th Executive Committee Meeting Minutes by H.E. Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, Chair, PPD Board, South Africa.
4. Matter arising from 37^th Executive Committee Meeting Minutes by H.E. Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, Chair, PPD Board, South Africa.
5. Secretary Report by Mr. Oliver Zambuko, Officer -in Charge, PPD
6. Host Country Report by H.E. Mr. Zahid Maleque, MP, Host Country Board of PPD, Bangladesh.
7. Treasurer’s Report by H.E. Hasto Wardoyo, Treasurer, PPD Board, Indonesia.
8. OiC report, by Mr. Oliver Zambuko, Officer -in Charge, PPD
9. PPD Work Plan and Budget for 2023 by by Mr. Oliver Zambuko, Officer -in Charge, PPD
10. Response to the findings of the Three Years External Audit Report (2018-2020) by H.E. Hasto Wardoyo, Treasurer, PPD Board, Indonesia.
11. Closed Door meeting for the EXCO Member by H.E. Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, Chair, PPD Board, South Africa.

This meeting finalized the theme of the upcoming PPD 20^th Inter-ministerial Conference on Population and Development that would be held in Zimbabwe, in October 2023.

The following members of the Executive Committee attended the meeting:

1. H.E. Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, MP, Chair of PPD and Honorable Minister for Social Development Government of the Republic of South Africa.
2. H.E. Mr. Zahid Maleque, Board and Executive Member of PPD and Honorable Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
3. H.E. Professor Benjamin I.B. Hounkpatin, Board and Executive Committee Member of PPD and Honorable Minister of Health Government of the Republic of Benin.
4. H.E. Dr. Hasto Wardoyo, SpOG (K), Treasurer, PPD Board and Honorable Chairperson National Population and Family Planning Board (NPFPB-BKKBN), Government of the Republic of Indonesia.
5. Dr. Mohamed A. Sheikh, Board and Executive Committee Member of PPD and Director General, National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), Kenya.

With this background, Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO), in partnership with the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), PATH, Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), Faith to Action Network and the Network of African Parliamentary Committees on Health (NEAPACOH) organized the 2023 NEAPACOH meeting under the theme of; “Achieving UHC and SDGs in the post COVID-19 era: The Role of Parliamentarians’’. with the following sub themes:

1. Towards achieving UHC and SDGs: The key imperatives;
2. Accelerating Access to Sexual Reproductive Health Information & Services for Adolescents and Young People;
3. Accelerating Domestic Health Financing for achieving UHC and SDGs in Africa;
4. Integrating Population, Health and Environment for sustainable development; and
5. Strengthening African leadership, stewardship and accountability for achieving UHC and the SDGs;

The meeting took place from February 22-23, 2023 at Speke Resort, Kampala- Uganda and drew participation of Parliamentarians government officials and Civil Society Organizations from Benin, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, Eswatini, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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