This year marks the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994. Three decades on, this milestone provides the opportunity to reflect on progress made and the challenges that remain in ensuring universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, a fundamental aspect of human rights and a key driver of sustainable development.
Historical Context
The 1994 conference marked a turning point in global population policies. Delegates from 179 countries, including international agencies and non-governmental organisations, assembled in Cairo to craft an integrated strategy that linked reproductive health, human rights and gender equality with sustainable development.
The most significant outcome was the Cairo Programme of Action, a 20-year plan complete with objectives, strategies and regular reviews built into its framework. A number of follow-up conferences have been held since its adoption, not only to assess its implementation but also to renew commitments and update measures. The ICPD+20 conference was particularly important because it paved the way for regional frameworks including the Montevideo Consensus, the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development and the Framework of Actions for the follow-up to the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Beyond 2014. It also led to the extension of the Programme of Action mandate. Another milestone was the Nairobi Summit (ICPD+25), held in 2019 to mark 25 years since the Cairo conference. At this event, multiple nations voluntarily pledged to speed up their efforts in critical areas that demanded further action.
The 30th anniversary commemoration brings together global events and dialogues organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to reflect on achievements, tackle ongoing challenges and reaffirm commitment to a people-centred development agenda.
- Global Dialogue on the Vision of a New Generation for the ICPD: Celebrated from 4 to 5 April 2024 in Cotonou, Benin, the event brought together organisations and youth leaders to assess progress and reimagine the ICPD Programme of Action for future generations.
- Global Dialogue on Demographic Diversity and Sustainable Development: Held from 15 to 16 May 2024 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, this event explored shifting global demographics and their impact on sustainable development with an aim to work these dynamics into future policies beyond 2030.
- Global Dialogue on Technological Change: With technology transforming access to sexual and reproductive health, this event, held from 27 to 28 June 2024 in New York, focused on how innovation is helping people claim their rights and meet their needs.
- 8th International Parliamentarians' Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (IPCI/ICPD): Held in Oslo from 10 to 12 April 2024, this conference aimed to build a global consensus among parliamentarians around sexual and reproductive health and rights, turning those commitments into concrete action at the national level.
At the 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in April 2024, governments reviewed 30 years of ICPD Programme of Action implementation, drawing on national and regional assessments to evaluate progress.
HIGHLIGHTS: Progress since 1994
Over the past 30 years, there have been major advances in several key areas:
- Reproductive health and rights: Access to reproductive health services has expanded significantly in many parts of the world. Family planning and modern contraceptive methods have played a key role in reducing fertility rates and maternal mortality. Between 2000 and 2020, the global maternal mortality ratio fell by 34%, while adolescent births among girls aged 15 to 19 dropped by nearly a third. The number of women using modern contraceptive methods has doubled since 1990, and in 2021, new HIV infections were nearly a third lower than in 2010.
- Gender equality: While progress has been uneven, many countries have introduced policies and laws that promote women's rights, gender equality and increase women's participation in economic and political life. A major milestone has been the enactment of laws against domestic violence in 162 countries. Meanwhile, attitudes towards female genital mutilation have shifted, leading to a significant decline in the practice.
At the height of the AIDS pandemic, same-sex relationships were criminalised in most countries. Today, they are decriminalised in two-thirds of the world. Change is happening faster than ever, with more of these punitive laws repealed in 2022 than in any of the previous 25 years.
- Education: Education, especially for girls, has improved dramatically, bringing wider social and economic benefits. Literacy rates have risen, and more girls are in school today than ever before. When it comes to sexual education, international standards developed since the ICPD have shaped policies worldwide. According to UNESCO, at least 76% of schools offer some form of sexual education in two-thirds of the countries that provided data. UNFPA has linked this education to higher contraceptive use, lower teenage pregnancy rates and better understanding of relationships, sexuality and communication.
- Environmental sustainability: As environmental challenges have intensified, the link between population and sustainability has become a key focus in global policy discussions. Family planning and reproductive health have increasingly been integrated into sustainable development strategies. However, climate change does not affect everyone equally.. According to Oxfam, in 2019, the richest 1% of the global population was responsible for 16% of carbon emissions, equivalent to that of the five billion people making up the poorest two-thirds of humanity. Yet, it is the most vulnerable communities, particularly in the poorest countries, which suffer the worst consequences. Women and girls are especially at risk, as many of these challenges impact their health and sexual and reproductive rights. A lack of access to clean, safe water, for example, makes it harder to ensure proper care during pregnancy and childbirth or administer certain contraceptive methods. To continue making forward progress, gender perspectives and sexual and reproductive health and rights must remain at the centre of policies tackling climate change.
SHADOWS: Unresolved Issues
Despite progress, several unresolved issues remain:
- Inequalities: Gender inequality and disparities in access to health and education services continue to be major challenges in many parts of the world, with women and girls, particularly in low-income regions and conflict zones, facing substantial barriers.
- Reproductive health: Access to reproductive health services remains limited in several regions, with maternal mortality still high in some countries.
- Climate change: The effects of climate change exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, creating new obstacles to sustainable development. The relationship between population growth and natural resources is becoming increasingly critical. Additionally, climate change contributes to forced displacement and conflict, complicating efforts to improve health, education and gender equality.
- Humanitarian crises: The rise in humanitarian crises and conflicts has displaced millions, presenting significant challenges to improving health, education and gender equality. Women and girls in crisis situations face heightened risks of violence and exploitation and often have limited access to essential health services and support.
- The rise of forces and movements opposed to women's health and rights: Organised, well-funded movements opposed to gender equality—particularly women's bodily autonomy and reproductive rights—are growing globally, placing these issues at the heart of their attacks.
- Reduction in funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights: Many funding bodies have shifted their priorities, redirecting resources for sexual and reproductive health to other areas. Funding for middle-income countries has significantly dropped, despite persistent internal inequalities. Moreover, many national governments have failed to increase their investments in these crucial programmes, even though they remain affordable. In most Global South countries, just nine dollars per woman could provide modern contraception and maternal care for an entire year.
Conclusion
The 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) presents an opportunity to refocus social and health systems on delivering services that empower individuals, respect their diversity, uphold their dignity and support their rights and bodily autonomy.
The Summit of the Future, currently taking place in New York, offers a unique opportunity to build on the discussions of the 57th Commission on Population and Development (CPD57) and advance the ICPD agenda. The summit aims to strengthen global cooperation, reaffirm existing commitments and address gaps in global governance. We hope that the summit's outcomes will catalyse urgent actions to combat inequality and conflict, measures that accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.