The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is disappointed with the outcome of the 2018 UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD), whose theme was “Sustainable Cities, Human Mobility and International Migration.”

Ana María Bejar IPPF’s Director of Advocacy, issued the following statement:

“We’re disappointed that member states were unable to come to a consensus. After a week of intense debate, Ambassador Ion Jinga, Chairman of the CPD, released a text on Friday afternoon reflecting compromise that was the product of careful negotiations. While the vast majority of member states were willing to be flexible and accept the text in the spirit of compromise, the delegation from the United States refused to join the consensus, a reflection of its ongoing effort to impose its regressive view of sexual and reproductive health and rights on the global stage. We applaud the Tunisian delegation, who delivered a statement on behalf of 35 other countries, on the critical importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights to women and girls, which was received with loud and sustained applause.”

IPPF echoes the spirit of UNFPA Director Dr. Natalia Kanem’s closing comments: We look forward to advocating ever more vigorously for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, adolescent girls, young people and everyone, as the ICPD Program of Action and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Develop mandate.

IPPF will continue to work together across member states, UN agencies, civil society, women and youth to achieve a just and equitable world where no one is left behind. CPD remains a critical space for countries and advocates to affirm and advance their commitments to advance human rights, including sexual and reproductive rights.

We look forward to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action and its subsequent reviews as we work towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development mandate.