[ 04 September 2009, Ulaanbaatar]

More than 100 delegates of government, civil society, international agencies and aimags are expected to gather next week for a National Forum assessing the 15 years of work in population and development, gender and reproductive health and rights for all people in Mongolia.

National Forum on the International Conference on Population and Development at 15 is set for 8 September 2009 from 8.30 – 13.00 in the State Palace Hall B.

This National Forum marks the 15 years since the historic International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo which brought about major change in the approach towards population and development as well as in women’s rights. In 1994, the global debate moved from ideas about population numbers and control to a focus on sexual and reproductive health and well being, with a new emphasis on individual rights and gender equality. At the conference, a Programme of Action (PoA) was adopted with a roadmap to address these issues by 2015. The National Forum jointly co-hosted by the Government of Mongolia and UNFPA is intended to review lessons learned and promote discussion on how to accelerate progress towards the agreements made during the ICPD.

Ms. S. Onon, Director for International Organizations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will open the Conference.

Mr. B. Ochirbat, Member of Parliament, will deliver an opening statement in which he highlights the importance of ICPD and its relevance to Mongolia.

Ms. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, will address the audience with a video statement from New York in which she expresses appreciation to the government of Mongolia for the leadership in significantly reducing maternal deaths and allocating a significant amount in the State Budget for the procurement of contraceptives.

Hon.Mr. M. Enkhbold, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Mongolia, will make the key presentation on the achievements and progress that have been made in the past 15 years, and the areas that need attention in the coming 5 years, until the end of the Programme of Action.

Mr. J. Ferraris, Officer in Charge of UNFPA Mongolia, will highlight the Global and Regional Perspectives on ICPD at 15 and a panel discussion on how to address the remaining challenges in their respective areas will be conducted by:
Mr. S. Lambaa – Minister of Health
Ms. T. Gandi – Minister of Social Welfare and Labor
Ms. D. Munkhuu – Head of Gal Golomt National Movement
Mr. K. Batsaikhan – Coordinator of UN Youth Advisory Panel

Mr. B. Ochirbat, Member of Parliament will address the audience with a closing statement on the renewed commitment to the Programme of Action of Mongolia.

After the completion of this National Forum, several decision makers will participate in upcoming high level international events, related to the implementation of the Cairo Consensus on Population and Development, where they will make statements on the progress and achievements of Mongolia.

For more information please contact Ms. S. Navchaa, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), at 323365-175/99092012 or Ms. K. Enkhjargal, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at 323365-178/ 99151066