NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar—UNFPA and the Ministry of Immigration and Population (MOIP) jointly organised a commemorative ceremony of World Population Day to re-energize commitment to universal access to reproductive health as a key element in the National Rural Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy.

A wide range of stakeholders from government, civil society, the United Nations and the diplomatic community attended the event.

Dr. Sai Mauk Kham, Vice President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar gave an opening address and elaborated on the significance of this year’s theme “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services”. He pledged Myanmar’s cooperation with the nations of the world to achieve the goals of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action and MDGs with emphasis on universal access to reproductive health. He acknowledged and thanked the UN agencies and international and national NGOs for their important role in achieving universal access to reproductive health in the country.

“I would like to commend on doctors, nurses, midwives, contraceptive services providers, youth-friendly services and those who provide services to the poor, the displaced, and the disabled, among others” he said.

Mr. Ashok Nigan, UNDP Representative and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, delivered the UN Secretary General’s message on World Population Day. Calling for urgent, concerted action by Member States to improve access to reproductive health care, the Secretary General said “ We must mainstream reproductive health and rights into all development and poverty reduction plans. Investing in universal access to reproductive health is a crucial investment in healthy societies and a more sustainable future.”

Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, UNFPA Representative underscored the importance of universal access to reproductive health as a fundamental human right with far reaching health, social and economic benefits.

He commended the Ministry of Health for its leadership in reproductive health care; the donor community for their recent initiatives to increase investments in health-related MDGs; and NGOs and UN sister agencies for their collaborative efforts to implement such initiatives. He called for more effective coordination, synergies and complementarity among such initiatives to maximizing their impact. “There is a need to build on existing political will to bridge remaining gaps in laws, policies and funding and address health system issues to accelerate progress towards universal access to reproductive health,” he added.

He concluded his statement with a quote from Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director who said “ UNFPA reaffirms its commitment to work with all of its partners to ensure that universal access to sexual and reproductive health, especially voluntary family planning, is recognized as a key element of the new international development agenda after 2015, and of all development and poverty reduction plans and policies. Only then would countries be able to reduce poverty and social and economic inequality, improve the well-being of their people and safeguard the health and rights of women, men, and young people.”

Winners of photo and article competitions on universal access to reproductive health services were awarded with gifts. To recognise the front line champions who helped increase access to reproductive health, five outstanding midwives were honoured and awarded for their outstanding contributions to saving women’s and children’s lives.

Statement by Dr. Sai Mauk Kham, Vice President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
(English Version | Myanmar Version)

Statement by Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, UNFPA Representative