The 30 newly elected members of IPPF Governing Council met for the first time in Rabat, Morocco from 21-23 November 2008.

The meeting was formally opened by Madame Nezh Skalli, Minister of Social Development, Family & Solidarity. 

Other dignitaries included M. Driss Gnerraoui, representative of the Prime Minister and Madame Zahra Meziane, President of the host association, Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale (AMPF). 

Invited guests included representatives from:

• UNFPA
• WHO
• UNICEF
• UNESCO
• UNAIDS
• representatives from bilateral cooperation agencies
• representatives from the Ministries of Health, Social Development, Youth and Education
• journalists

Governing Council was addressed by Madame Skalli who spoke of the progress being made in Morocco in promoting women’s reproductive health and in combating violence against women and children and gender discrimination. 

Morocco’s commitment towards gender equality was demonstrated by the fact that 34 member of parliament (MPs) were women and seven women had been appointed as Ministers. 

Madame Meziane spoke of the work of the Moroccan association since its establishment in 1971 and of the pioneering role of volunteers and staff in changing opinion and services within the country. 

In acknowledgement of the changing role of the association, Madame Meziane announced that the Moroccan association would be changing its name to the Moroccan Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. 

Turning to the business of the Governing Council meeting, reports were received from each of the Regional Directors on progress made in realizing the goals of the IPPF Strategic Framework.

A mid term review of the Strategic Framework is planned for 2009 and Governing Council discussed its role in this review. 

Governing Council also received reports on the implementation of the IPPF Declaration on Sexual Rights and from the IPPF Youth Working Group, which reported on its meeting on Faith, Religion, Sexuality and Young People. 

The annual budget for the Federation for 2009 was approved and KPMG were appointed as external auditors for the year ending 31 December 2008. 

Another eight Member Associations were accredited by Governing Council, bringing the number of accredited full members to 91.

Governing Council admitted the Tuvalu Family Health Association as an associate member of IPPF. 

The Zambian Member Association's suspension was extended.

It was also noted that the Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa had been placed under liquidation and was no longer a member of the Federation, but that its programme and activities will continue in projects supported by Africa Regional Office.

The IPPF Regulations and Procedural Byelaws for IPPF Meetings were amended to take account of the governance changes agreed by the May 2008 Governing Council. 

This will mean changed responsibilities for Regional Executive Committees and Regional Councils and from 2011 a reduction in the number of Governing Council members from 30 to 24 voting members. 

Governing Council also elected its Honorary Officers. 

Dr Jacqueline Sharpe was re-elected IPPF President/Chairperson of Governing Council, and Dr Naomi Seboni was elected IPPF Treasurer.

The members of IPPF Audit Committee and Membership Committee were also elected for a term of three years.

Votes of thanks were passed to two senior volunteers of IPPF who were attending their last Governing Council meeting – Dr. Nina Puri, Immediate Past President of IPPF and Mrs. Helen Eskett, former IPPF Treasurer.