Karachi: Marking the thirtieth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, UN Secretary-General emphasized the urgent need for increased efforts and investment to realize the program’s goals, particularly in advancing women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

According to United Nations Pakistan, the Secretary-General highlighted significant progress made since the ICPD’s adoption, such as the increase in access to modern contraception and a thirty-four percent reduction in maternal deaths since 2000. However, he noted that progress remains uneven, with approximately 800 women still dying daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, predominantly in developing countries. He also expressed concern over potential legislative setbacks in critical areas like female genital mutilation.

The Secretary-General stressed the importance of investing in data collection to better understand and address these challenges and called for enhanced financial commitments. He urged global leaders to seize the opportunity at the upcoming Summit of the Future to secure necessary funding for sustainable development initiatives, underscoring the need to fully implement the ICPD Programme of Action globally.