NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar — UNFPA and the Ministry of Immigration and Population (MOIP) jointly organized today a multisectoral workshop to assess the progress towards the Goals of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) beyond 2014- Global Review. The purpose was to review the achievements in the 18 years following ICPD in Cairo in 1994 and to look forward to a new development agenda.

Myanmar was one of the participating countries and a signatory to ICPD committing to population and development issues. The underlying tenet of ICPD is to assure each individual a healthy and fulfilling life, with respect for their dignity and equal rights, in a world looking beyond 2014.

UNFPA was mandated by the UN Secretary General to lead the Global Review on ICPD beyond 2014 as the 20th anniversary of the ICPD approaches. Countries around the world are asked to complete the standardized questionnaire that measures the results and promises kept. The findings will be reported to the UN General Assembly in September 2014.

In Myanmar, the national review mechanism is Government led with formation of a national forum for the review process. A wide range of stakeholders from government ministries: Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Immigration and Population, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Ministry of Border Affairs, Ministry of Education, Attorney General’s Office, and Civil Society, the United Nations, young people and representatives from local and international NGOs, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MMCWA), Myanmar Women Affairs Federation (MWAF), Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and Community Based Organisations, were consulted during the process and these ministries and organizations attended the validation workshop.

In his opening remarks, U Myint Kyaing, Director General of the Department of Population, Ministry of Immigration and Population said; “ the validated information from this workshop will contribute to the national development plan and all participants are encouraged to provide inputs based on your individual and international experiences to reflect the progressing situation of Myanmar.”

Dr. Hla Hla Aye, UNFPA Assistant Representative also encouraged the participants to provide inputs towards the validation workshop and reiterated that population is not about numbers but about people and their quality of life.

Through group discussions, members of the Technical Review Committee and representatives from relevant government ministries, a team of national consultants and the participants including youth reviewed progress achieved and the challengess faced at the country level on the three major issues highlighted at the ICPD: Population and Development, Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender in a participatory manner.

After completing the ICPD beyond 2014 questionnaire, the validated findings will be presented to the National Forum consisting of National Commission on Population and Development and the Parliamentary Committee on Population and Social Development, which will then report on the review process.