African Ministers Reinforce Commitment to Implement the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development

As Africa embarks on the second 10-year implementation plan to create The Africa We Want, population ministers reaffirmed the importance of people-centred development for the continent at a regional review meeting from 7 to 10 November 2023.

Ministers, experts, youth and civil society representatives from African Union member states met in Lusaka, Zambia, to assess 10 years implementation of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development, as part of the global review of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action. 

“The 10-year review is an important exercise that has reinforced member states' collective commitments, as set out in the continental transformative Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda,” said H.E. Amb. Minata Samaté Cessouma, commissioner for the Department of Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union Commission. The meeting was organized by the Government of Zambia and the African Union Commission, with the support of the Economic Commission for Africa and UNFPA.

“The ICPD agenda remains relevant for the African continent,” said Diene Keita, UNFPA deputy executive director of programme, at the opening of the meeting. “We need to recommit to the breakthrough solutions and momentum needed to accelerate actions.”

The findings of the review report guided discussions focused on key achievements, challenges and recommendations to accelerate progress. Looking at the past 10 years, delegates celebrated successes such as a decrease in poverty, a 10-year increase in life expectancy, an increase in girls completing primary education and a higher proportion of women in decision-making roles. They also acknowledged that progress has been slow and unequal. Delegates reflected on the impact of changes in size, age and location of populations; of armed conflict; of COVID-19; and of climate change, with a focus on ensuring that the declaration meets the needs of current and future generations. 

“As we look at the 10 years of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development, where we see mixed progress across its pillars, as well as a number of areas where we see a significant amount of unfinished work, the African Union Commission continues to be committed on this shared agenda,” concluded Amb. Samaté. 

The continental review report is Africa’s contribution to the global 30-year review of the ICPD.