EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Declaration on the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development

Madame Chair, Excellencies, colleagues,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^*and Georgia align themselves with this statement.

The ICPD Programme of Action remains as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.

We welcome that the declaration renews the determination to advance its full, effective and accelerated implementation.

It demonstrates progress and commitment to further work on this unfinished agenda with a sense of urgency, duty, and responsibility. We owe it to all, especially youth, adolescents, women, girls, and marginalized groups, we can leave no one behind.

The Declaration refers to 'relevant multilateral processes' interlinked with ICPD. Summit of the Future is one of them.

We have recommitted to the ICPD Programme of Actioncentered around the rights of all persons. Realizing human rights is essential especially for young people to make choices about their bodies, and fulfil their potential.

The EU and its Member States, together with many other delegations, engaged constructively in the negotiations to reach a consensus outcome. The still unfinished agenda includes human rights, eliminating all forms of discrimination, sexual- and gender-based violence, youth, adolescents, maternal health, HIV services, child and forced marriage, and marginalised communities.

The EU remains committed to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and to the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Progamme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the outcomes of their review conferences and remains committed to the sexual and reproductive health and rights, in this context. Having that in mind, the EU reaffirms its commitment to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of the right of every individual to have full control over, and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health, free from discrimination, coercion and violence. The EU further stresses the need for universal access to quality and affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, education, including comprehensive sexuality education, and health-care services.

We stand ready to work together with all UN Member States, civil society representatives, and all other relevant stakeholders to make the ICPD agenda a reality for all.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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