WINDHOEK, Namibia - Namibia recently held a multi-stakeholder validation meeting on August 17, 2023, to review the draft report on the 10-year implementation of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development in Africa (AADPD).

The AADPD was adopted by African Ministers at the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Addis Ababa in 2013 and endorsed by the African Union Executive Council in 2014. It represents Africa’s renewed commitment to advance the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda in Africa.

The declaration comprises a total of 88 priority measures (commitments) grouped under six pillars: Dignity and Equality; Health; Place and Mobility; Governance; Data and Statistics; Partnership and International Cooperation. It also contains seven key commitments to facilitate implementation, coordination and accountability at all levels. Before the 57th Session of Commission on Population and Development in April 2024, countries have been urged to review their progress towards the implementation of the AADPD.

Gift Malunga, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Namibia Representative, emphasized the pivotal nature of the AADPD@10 review in revitalizing the global commitment to universal access to education and health, particularly sexual and reproductive health.

 “The AADPD@10 report will feed into the regional report and subsequently inform the ICPD@30 review, which provides an opportunity to reflect on past achievements, take stock of challenges, reduce polarization and misinformation and chart a course for the future,” she stated.

Sylvester Mbangu, the Chief National Development Advisor of the National Planning Commission (NPC), delivered the welcome remarks, emphasizing that the review will provide evidence-based recommendations that will pave the way to harness the demographic dividend, advance human rights, and ultimately attain Vision 2030.

The review is carried out with technical support from UNFPA.