The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) outlined a bold vision. Its landmark Programme of Action affirmed that people, not population targets, are the real wealth of nations. It asserted that sustainable development depends on every individual having the right to make choices about their body, life and future. The ICPD Programme of Action offered a path towards prosperity, peace and planetary balance.

The report on the thirtieth anniversary of the ICPD (ICPD30) reaffirms a simple truth: investing in people and protecting rights is more urgent than ever.

To build a better future, all countries must maximize investments to reach those furthest behind and bridge divides that stall development and weaken the social fabric. ICPD30 identified six priorities to guide progress towards a people-centred future.

The future can’t wait — together we can secure rights and choices for every generation.

The enduring relevance of ICPD demands actions and investments that will accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Pact for the Future and a post-2030 agenda that continues to centre the ICPD Programme of Action.

Joint statement by 80 Member States at the UN General Assembly Meeting to mark ICPD30

The thirtieth anniversary of the ICPD was a moment to review progress, celebrate gains and reignite the bold vision of the ICPD Agenda. 

ICPD30 centred on people, bringing together young people, parliamentarians, governments, experts from international and regional organizations and academia, civil society, businesspeople and local leaders.

ICPD30 Review Process

Key Milestones

• Political Declaration (CPD57): Reaffirmed global commitment to ICPD, prioritizing rights and gender equality.
• Summit of the Future: Positioned ICPD at the heart of sustainability, human rights, and resilience debates.
• UN General Assembly  ICPD30 Commemoration: World leaders renewed commitments and pledged to accelerate action by 2030.

Gains in Health and Choices 

The ICPD30 review celebrated gains in health and choices over the past 30 years, including:

• National population planning and healthcare systems uphold reproductive rights and choices.
• Many countries have policies to reduce early pregnancy, support birth spacing, provide parental leave and subsidize childcare.
• Sexual health is recognized as vital to well-being.
• Most governments offer family planning services and support adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (SRHR). 
• Modern contraception use nearly doubled since 1990.
• Maternal deaths decreased substantially, though progress has stalled since 2015, with inequalities across regions and population groups.
• HIV infection rates and deaths dropped significantly, but progress is uneven.
• Girls and boys have equal access to primary school education in two thirds of countries.

Challenges in Turbulent Times 

The review also noted the obstacles and setbacks to progress. Global crises – including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related disasters, conflict and economic instability – reversed progress on maternal health, strained healthcare budgets and increased the risk of gender-based violence. The rights of women and girls are being rolled back, nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended and no country has achieved gender equality. Political divides have undermined global consensus on population and development priorities. In addition, growing nationalism, widening inequalities and disinformation fuel polarization. Eroding trust in governance, dwindling support for multilateral institutions and declining funding are undermining the provision of essential services and hindering global cooperation.

Keeping Up with the Megatrends 

On the thirtieth anniversary of the ICPD, UNFPA commissioned five think pieces to explore how the Programme of Action can guide future development. These covered demographic change, sexual and reproductive health and rights, population data, climate action, and digital transformation. 

• Demographic Change and Sustainability 
• The Future of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 
• The Future of Population Data 
• The ICPD and Climate Action 
• A Safe Digital Future 

Together, they offer forward-looking recommendations to sustain progress on rights and choices in a rapidly evolving world. Read the recommendations for navigating megatrends.

Five regional population conferences, hosted by the United Nations regional economic and social commissions in 2023, captured distinct trends, concerns and innovations in Africa, the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Central Asia and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Shared Priorities across Regions 

• Universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights remains a cornerstone of sustainable development and gender equality. Barriers to care must be addressed across all life stages. 
• Ending gender-based violence requires legal reforms and norms change, including engaging men and boys and addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
• Maternal health disparities persist, especially across rural and marginalized communities, requiring implementation of comprehensive, equitable healthcare systems.
• Adolescent pregnancy continues to undermine girls’ rights and futures, pointing to the need for youth-friendly SRHR services and holistic support for young mothers.
• Girls’ education is derailed by early marriage and pregnancy. Proven strategies include compulsory education, comprehensive sexuality education, and measures to reduce the burden of unpaid care.
• HIV prevention must expand with youth-centred services, anti-stigma efforts and broader testing access.
• Crisis resilience is essential. Gender-responsive health systems and SRHR services – including in humanitarian settings – must be sustained through climate, migration and disaster shocks.

The Arab Region
The sixth review of the International Conference on Population and Development

Ten years after the Cairo Declaration, the Arab region conducted its sixth ICPD review, led by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the League of Arab States and UNFPA. The review emphasized inclusive governance, rights and resilience in response to regional challenges.

The UNECE Region
Ensuring rights and choices amid demographic change

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), with the support of UNFPA, led the ICPD30 review in the UNECE region, covering 56 Member States in Europe, Central Asia and North America. The review assessed implementation of the Programme of Action and the recommendations of the 2013 Chair’s Summary of the UNECE Regional Conference on the ICPD beyond 2014. Several UNECE Member States reaffirmed their commitment to the ICPD principles and to implementing its Programme of Action and related frameworks.

Africa
The 10-year review of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development

African ministers adopted the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development (AADPD) in 2013 as a comprehensive framework for addressing population and development issues on the African continent. The 10-year review of its implementation was led by the African Union Commission, with the support of the Economic Commission for Africa and UNFPA. The review assessed progress in realizing the 88 AADPD commitments and the demographic dividend. African Union Member States underscored the relevance and significance of the ICPD Programme of Action.

Asia and the Pacific
10 years of the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) with UNFPA convened the review of implementation of the 2013 Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development and the ICPD Programme of Action in the region with national reports from 22 countries, enriched by academic and civil society contributions. ESCAP Member States reaffirmed their commitment to a people-centred, rights-based, gender-sensitive and inclusive approach to implementing the population and development agenda in the region.

Latin America and the Caribbean
10 years of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) with UNFPA support, led the regional ICPD30 review through voluntary national reports from 22 Member States. The draft second regional report was informed by additional sources, including regional and UN reports, academic research and civil society contributions. Government and civil society representatives reaffirmed their commitment and called for redoubling of efforts to fully implement the Consensus.

Three global dialogues explored youth, demographic diversity, and technology, engaging 2,500 participants worldwide and generating forward-looking recommendations. Their rights-based insights complement regional findings and point to a people-centred future of inclusion, equity, and innovation. 

Youth Dialogue: Charting a Youth-centred Future

Young people called for meaningful participation and investment in youth-led solutions. Key asks included:

• Universal access to youth-friendly SRHR services and comprehensive sexuality education
• Stronger support for youth-led organizations and accountability mechanisms
• Inclusion of youth in humanitarian response and climate governance

Read all the recommendations and asks in the Cotonou Youth Action Agenda.

The power of youth lies not only in our numbers but in our ability to drive meaningful change.

Monserratth Lopez, youth representative on the Global Youth Dialogue Steering Committee 

Dialogue on Demographic Diversity and Sustainable Development

The dialogue emphasized that demographic change is not a crisis but a call to invest in people. Priorities included:

• Invest in capabilities across the life course
• Build inclusive labour markets and care systems
• Strengthen intergenerational solidarity and social cohesion.

Explore more recommended actions to help countries adapt and thrive in today’s unique demographic moment.

Dialogue on Technology and Rights

This dialogue explored how digital transformation can accelerate or endanger progress. Recommendations included:

• Close the gender digital divide and improve digital literacy
• Establish rights-based regulatory frameworks to protect privacy and address online gender-based violence
• Promote ethical, inclusive AI and tech systems designed around human rights.

Discover more insights for shaping an equitable future with technology in the summary report.

Partnership and Common Ground 

ICPD30 underscored that progress depends on broad partnerships among governments, civil society, youth, women’s groups, parliamentarians, local governments, researchers and the private sector.

Healthy, empowered, resilient populations drive progress for societies, economies and the planet. Future gains will come from collaboration grounded in shared values and mutual benefit.

The future can’t wait. Now is the time to act – for every person, in every generation.

As parliamentarians, we cannot afford business as usual. We must ensure that the rights and choices of people remain central to a sustainable future in a demographically diverse world.

Oslo Statement of Commitment, April 2024