In partnership with the governments of Bangladesh, Bulgaria, and Japan, UNFPA convened over 200 leading experts from government, academia, civil society, the private sector and the United Nations in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Together, they gathered to reflect on current demographic trends and future challenges, and to identify practical solutions. The event also served as a platform to celebrate the infinite potential inherent in our global population across all stages of life.

Over the course of two days, participants explored strategies for effectively advancing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (PoA) amidst increasing demographic diversity, reaffirming its pivotal role in shaping the post-2030 development agenda and positioning it as a blueprint for the Summit of the Future. Countries are facing many changes, including population aging, low fertility, urbanisation, displacement, rapid advancements in technology, and the effects of the climate crisis. Experts as diverse as the topics they discussed gathered in sessions on a wide range of issues, including gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, technology and population data, intergenerational wellbeing and healthy ageing and the impact of climate change.