Report of the International Forum for the Operational Review and Appraisal of the Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)

The Hague Forum

C O N T E N T S

-	Background

-	Attendance

-	Election of Forum Office-bearers and other Matters

-	Functioning of the Forum

-	Findings and Proposed Actions

-	Creating an Enabling Environment

-	Enhancing Gender Equality, Equity and Empowerment of Women

-	Promoting Reproductive Health, Including Family Planning and Sexual Health, and Reproductive Rights

-	Strengthening Partnerships

-	Mobilizing and Monitoring Resources

Netherlands Congress Centre
The Hague, Netherlands
8-12 February 1999

BACKGROUND

1. The International Forum for the Operational Review and Appraisal of the Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) met in The Hague, the Netherlands, from 8 to 12 February 1999. The Forum is an integral part of the five-year review of the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action that will culminate in a Special Session of the General Assembly, which will take place from 30 June to 2 July 1999.

2. That review has included: (a) three round table meetings organized by UNFPA on adolescent reproductive health (14-17 April 1998, New York); reproductive rights and implementation of reproductive health programmes, women's empowerment, male involvement and human rights (22-25 June 1998, Kampala, Uganda); and partnership with civil society to implement the Programme of Action (27-30 July 1998, Dhaka, Bangladesh); (b) four technical meetings organized by UNFPA on international migration and development (29 June-3 July, The Hague); population and ageing (6-9 October, Brussels); reproductive health services in crisis situations (3-5 November, Rennes, France); and population change and economic development (2-6 November, Bellagio, Italy); and a series of five-year regional reviews by the United Nations Regional Commissions.

3. The Hague Forum was organized by UNFPA to contribute to this review by focusing on key issues emerging from the appraisal process and by analysing achievements and challenges experienced in implementing the Programme of Action at the country level. Its aims were four-fold: (a) to examine lessons learned, success stories, and obstacles and constraints encountered, with a view to finding solutions to aid the further implementation of the Programme of Action; (b) to allow for exchanges among programme countries facing similar experiences; (c) to bring together a wide variety of partners to refocus their commitment on population and development; and (d) to provide technical inputs to the General Assembly Special Session.

4. A global inquiry conducted by UNFPA in mid-1998 provided inputs to the background document for the Forum. The inquiry elicited responses from 114 developing countries and countries with economies in transition; 18 developed countries also responded. The information collected reflects the progress that has been made at the country level in implementing the Programme of Action.

5. The General Assembly welcomed the operational review to be undertaken under the auspices of UNFPA, in cooperation with all relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other relevant organizations, and noted that the report and outcome of the international forum in 1999 will be submitted to the Commission on Population and Development at its thirty-second session and to the Executive Board of the UNDP and UNFPA (resolution 52/188 of 18 December 1997).

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