Ensuring Rights and Choices in Europe’s Approach to Population and Development

As the world reviews progress nearly 30 years after the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, 40 countries from the broader European region gathered in Geneva to assess achievements and setbacks and to define priorities for the future. The ICPD30 regional conference, convened by the UN Economic Commission for Europe and UNFPA, took place on 19 and 20 October 2023 under the theme “Population and Development: Ensuring Rights and Choices.”

Over the two days, member states reaffirmed their commitment to the ICPD goals and the increasing relevance of the ICPD agenda given growing demographic concerns. Government officials, parliamentarians, youth leaders and civil society representatives from Europe, North America and Central Asia celebrated the achievements of the past 30 years in the face of challenges, as captured in the ICPD30 regional report. 

Discussions highlighted the new laws, policies, strategies and programmes that now exist to deliver on the commitments to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment; ending gender-based violence; involving men in initiatives; ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health; promoting the rights of youth and older persons; and addressing discrimination and harmful social norms. Examples from countries demonstrated how investing in people has reaped benefits for societies, and how linking population dynamics to climate change is enabling the design of sustainable policies for the planet.

The conference highlighted the value of the ICPD agenda as a guide for building resilient and prosperous societies. Participants also acknowledged the need to pay particular attention to the continued inequalities within countries and the region and to slowed progress and setbacks that impede human rights-centred development. 

“As concerns are on the rise on the effects of demographic change, the principles agreed at the ICPD, and later reflected in the SDGs, serve as a framework for finding constructive, forward-looking and long-term solutions that benefit individuals and societies as a whole,” said Diene Keita, UNFPA deputy executive director 

Member states stressed the importance of linking the outcome of the ICPD30 review to the 2024 Commission on Population and Development, the 2024 Summit of the Future, Beijing+30 national and regional consultations and the voluntary national review of the 2030 Agenda.