Madam Chairperson, Distinguished Deputy Secretary-General, Distinguished Executive Director of UNFPA,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
I welcome you to this 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development.
Your presence here today and the work of this Commission over the past 30 years are a testament to the unwavering commitment of Member States to the agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in 1994.
A commitment that you will strengthen, through the adoption, by consensus, of a political declaration to commemorate the 30 year anniversary of the ICPD.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
The Programme of Action of the Cairo conference has had a lasting impact on global development over the last three decades. One of the first changes was acknowledging the importance of integrating population issues within the broader context of sustainable development. A change since reflected in the name of this very Commission.
The demographic landscape has evolved greatly. Fertility continues to decline, driven mainly by significant reductions in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. People are living longer and healthier lives. This success story is driven by improvements in nutrition, sanitation and disease control, greater access to education and improved health services, among other factors.
The world¡¯s population is expected to continue to grow, albeit at a declining rate, rising from 8.1 billion in 2024 to nearly 9.9 billion in 2054.
Half of the projected global population growth between today and 2050 is expected to take place in three groups of countries in special situations: least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States. Progress in these three groups of countries will increasingly determine whether global development goals are achieved.
The world¡¯s age distribution is also trending upward.
With increasing numbers of older persons, efforts to promote healthy and active ageing become more important. A healthy and active older population requires a life course approach to public policy, in particular for education and health care. Governments should ensure that there are opportunities for lifelong learning and that all persons have access to free or affordable preventative health care across the age range.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues,
My department has long supported efforts to integrate population issues into development planning, particulalry through the work of the Commission on Population and Development and the work of the Population Division. We produce estimates and projections of the world¡¯s population that are widely cited, including by researchers addressing issues of global concern.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world¡¯s scientists relied on population estimates and projections from the 51³Ô¹Ï as an input to their models and forecasts of the impact of the pandemic on morbidity and mortality. The UN population projections are also being used by climate scientists to assess the impact of population dynamics on climate change.
To conclude, let us seize the opportunity of the 30-year anniversary of the ICPD to forge a brighter future for all.
By prioritizing sustainable development and putting people at its centre, we can build a world where all people, can live in dignity, prosperity, and hope.
Let us invest in education and health care, promote gender equality, protect reproductive rights, foster sustainable consumption and production and ensure that no one is left behind.
Thank you for your commitment to this vital cause.