Celebration of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD30) and the World Population Day

Hanoi, 11 July 2024

• Excellency, Ms. Dao Hong Lan, Minister of Health;
• Excellencies Representatives from Government’s Ministries and agencies of Viet Nam;
• Excellencies Ambassadors and Heads of International Organisations;
• Distinguished guests,

It is an honour to be on this stage with Excellency Minister Dao Hong Lan to mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994, and to celebrate World Population Day.

World Population Day is an annual event celebrated on 11th of July. The inspiration originated from “Five Billion Day” in 1987 – on the day when the world population reached 5 billion. In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme established this special day as an annual event. 

Today, our human family is over 8 billion strong. 

Data on population dynamics helps us to develop policies that prepare us for the future. 

Globally, we must prepare for continued population growth in sub-Saharan Africa, while anticipating slow growth or even decline in much of Asia, Europe and Northern America, and subsequently in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Viet Nam’s population is now over 100 million, the 15th most populous country. According to projections by Viet Nam’s General Statistics Office, the population will continue to grow but at a gradually decreasing rate.

To mark World Population Day, we celebrate progress and achievements, and commit to redoubling our efforts to secure a sustainable future for all -- and to leave no one behind.

30 years ago in Cairo, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) concluded with the promise of a vision to achieve people-centred development – with respect for people’s dignity and human rights – and placing sexual and reproductive health and rights at the core of sustainable development. This concept remains at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Since Cairo, we have achieved much progress globally. Fewer women die in pregnancy and childbirth. Risks of child mortality have fallen – across developed and developing countries. Access to reproductive healthcare services have expanded, including modern contraceptives. And adolescent births have declined by around a third.

Progress, however, has been uneven, with some socio-economic groups benefitting, while others are left behind. Many countries still fall short of life expectancy targets. Many developing countries still face significant challenges in reaching the SDG target for child mortality. Globally, a quarter of women remain unable to make decisions about their own health care; and nearly 1 in 10 women have no choice over the use of contraception. Between 2016 and 2020, the global annual reduction in maternal death was zero. That means we saw no progress. Every day over 800 women die during pregnancy and childbirth from preventable causes.  

The story of Viet Nam is one to celebrate. I congratulate Viet Nam for its efforts to address inequalities and to bridge disparities in socio-economic status between regions and population groups. Vietnamese people are living longer – a good sign of development. In health care, over the past 20 years, Viet Nam has surpassed the global 34% reduction in maternal mortality by achieving a 46% reduction.  The use of modern contraceptives among women aged 15 – 49 years has increased, with over 60% usage.

Nevertheless, disparities remain. The maternal mortality ratio in the remote ethnic minority regions is three to four times higher than the national average. Unmet needs for modern contraceptives by unmarried young people account for 40%, 4 times higher than for married couples.

Findings of the National Transfer Accounts recently conducted by the General Statistics Office in collaboration with UNFPA show that Viet Nam is still in the “demographic window of opportunity” -- with an abundant young labour force until 2039. However, Viet Nam’s population has been ageing since 2011 and at a much faster rate than in other countries. Viet Nam is projected to become an aged population country by 2036 and ‘super-aged society by 2049. This demographic shift from a young to an aged society has multifaceted consequences at national, regional, and global levels. 

This means we must start now to prepare for these demographic shifts and rapid population ageing. Solutions include increasing labour participation especially among the older population, supporting women remaining in the labour market, and investing in health and education.

Distinguished guests,

We must also recognize the megatrends that are reshaping our world – climate change, demographic shifts, urbanization, digital technologies and inequalities – as well as their critical connections to the Sustainable Development Goals. 

We must also understand that in a demographically diverse world, population dynamics, including differences in the pace of population growth or decline, changing population age structure, urbanisation and people’s mobility and migration, will continue to shape the world for present and future generations.

The upcoming Summit of the Future to be held in New York at the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly offers us a chance to discuss these issues that shape our today and tomorrow. At the Summit, there will be a strong focus on youth and future generations. The Pact of the Future provides an opportunity for concrete, action-oriented commitments towards strengthening the meaningful participation of young people in decision-making at all levels, including at the United Nations, and to ensure that they have access to sustainable livelihoods and vital services, such as education, health and social protection.

Looking to the Summit, we must prioritise the needs of future generations. This means pursuing a green and sustainable development pathway so that the next generation inherits a liveable planet. We must accelerate progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of women in all spheres of life. We must take immediate and bold action to ensure that every woman has access to the care and services she needs to survive pregnancy and childbirth. Investment in sexual and reproductive health and rights is investing in ending poverty and ending inequality. We cannot achieve our common goals if we leave half of humanity behind. 

Let us seize the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the ICPD and the Summit of the Future to forge a brighter future where all people, everywhere can live in dignity, prosperity and hope.

I wish you all good health and happiness.

Thank you! Xin cam on!