A high-level Regional Conference Enabling Choices: Population Priorities for the 21st Century was held in Geneva on July 1 – 2, 2013.
The regional conference was the culmination of the ICPD review in the UNECE region comprising Europe, Central Asia and North America. Based on the outcomes of the regional review over 200 high-level experts from governments, civil society and academia, as well as members of parliaments and youth representatives discussed strategies for action beyond 2014. During the conference they assessed the progress made towards achieving the Cairo goals, identified neglected areas and discussed what needs to be done to accelerate implementation and reduce inequalities.
During the conference, three thematic sessions addressed the issues of population dynamics and sustainable development; families and sexual and reproductive health over the life course; and inequalities, social inclusion and rights.
Achieving universal access to reproductive health was identified as one of the top priorities. The conference participants agreed that today’s realities call for a life-course approach to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). People have different and changing SRH needs throughout their lives; therefore policies need to address the whole life course – from birth to old age. "Sexuality is not only for the young ones, it is a lifelong story," Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland, said in her keynote speech at the opening of the regional ICPD Beyond 2014 conference in Geneva.
Addressing the specific needs of young people was identified as one of the priorities for achieving universal access to reproductive health. The participants believe that the policymakers need to apply a life-course approach to developing and revising national health policies and other development policies addressing SRH needs and rights of young people. Making comprehensive sexuality and health education for adolescents accessible and delivered in a systematic manner through the national education system, ensuring it meets the international standards for quality, and considering additional modes of education, such as peer education for young people in and out of school were proposed as the immediate steps to achieve the priority.
The identified priorities and recommendations will help the countries in the region, including Turkmenistan, to move ahead with implementing the ICPD agenda in light of current trends and developments.
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UNFPA: Delivering the world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
For additional information, please contact:
Ene Tuyliyeva, Advocacy Communication Associate
Tel: 425250
Web: turkmenistan.unfpa.org
