Summary of the ICPD Programme of Action

Key Actions for the Further Implementation of the
Programme of Action of the ICPD -- ICPD+5

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly convened a special session to review progress towards meeting the ICPD goals. After reviewing the topics highlighted in the ICPD Programme of Action, the special session (known as ICPD+5) agreed on a new set of benchmarks in four areas:

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1. Education and literacy

"Governments and civil society, with the assistance of the international community, should, as quickly as possible, and in any case before 2015, meet the Conference’s goal of achieving universal access to primary education; eliminate the gender gap in primary and secondary education by 2005; and strive to ensure that by 2010 the net primary school enrolment ratio for children of both sexes will be at least 90 per cent, compared with an estimated 85 per cent in 2000." [para. 34]

"Governments, in particular of developing countries, with the assistance of the international community, should: ... Reduce the rate of illiteracy of women and men, at least halving it for women and girls by 2005, compared with the rate in 1990." [para. 35 (c)]

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2. Reproductive health care and unmet need for contraception

"... Governments should strive to ensure that by 2015 all primary healthcare and family planning facilities are able to provide, directly or through referral, the widest achievable range of safe and effective family planning and contraceptive methods; essential obstetric care; prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, including sexually transmitted diseases, and barrier methods (such as male and female condoms and microbicides if available) to prevent infection. By 2005, 60 per cent of such facilities should be able to offer this range of services, and by 2010, 80 per cent of them should be able to offer such services." [para. 53]

"Where there is a gap between contraceptive use and the proportion of individuals expressing a desire to space or limit their families, countries should attempt to close this gap by at least 50 per cent by 2005, 75 per cent by 2010 and 100 per cent by 2050. In attempting to reach this benchmark, demographic goals, while legitimately the subject of government development strategies, should not be imposed on family planning providers in the form of targets or quotas for the recruitment of clients." [para. 58]

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3. Maternal mortality reduction

"By 2005, where the maternal mortality rate is very high, at least 40 per cent of all births should be assisted by skilled attendants; by 2010 this figure should be at least 50 per cent and by 2015, at least 60 per cent. All countries should continue their efforts so that globally, by 2005, 80 per cent of all births should be assisted by skilled attendants, by 2010, 85 per cent, and by 2015, 90 per cent." [para. 64]

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4. HIV/AIDS.

"Governments, with assistance from UNAIDS and donors, should, by 2005, ensure that at least 90 per cent, and by 2010 at least 95 per cent, of young men and women aged 15 to 24 have access to the information, education and services necessary to develop the life skills required to reduce their vulnerability to HIV infection. Services should include access to preventive methods such as female and male condoms, voluntary testing, counselling and follow-up. Governments should use, as a benchmark indicator, HIV infection rates in persons 15 to 24 years of age, with the goal of ensuring that by 2005 prevalence in this age group is reduced globally, and by 25 per cent in the most affected countries, and that by 2010 prevalence in this age group is reduced globally by 25 per cent." [para. 70]

ICPD+5 Information

• ICPD+5 Information from the United Nations Regional Commissions

• The 32nd session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD), acting as the preparatory committee (PrepCom) for the special session of the General Assembly for the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Programme of Action of the ICPD, met at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 24-31 March 1999.

• ICPD+5 News Bulletin

• ICPD+5 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Technical Meetings

  • Round-table on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights New York, 14-17 April 1998

  • Round-table on Ensuring Reproductive Rights, and Implementing Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes, Including Women's Empowerment, Male Involvement and Human Rights Kampala, Uganda, 22-25 June 1998

  • Round-table on Partnership with Civil Society in Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action Dhaka, Bangladesh, 27-30 July 1998

  • Technical Symposium on International Migration and Development, The Hague, 29 June-3 July 1998

  • Report of the Technical Meeting on Population Ageing, Brussels, 6-9 October 1998

  • Technical Meeting on Reproductive Health Services in Crisis Situations, Rennes, France, 3-5 November 1998

The Hague Forum

As its contribution to the "ICPD+5" review process, UNFPA organized a number of round tables and technical meetings that have involved many of its partners -- programme and donor countries, the United Nations System and representatives of civil society, including NGOs and the private sector. The outcomes from these activities, which focus on technical and operational assessments of the progress made and constraints faced by countries in implementing the Programme of Action were discussed at an international forum in The Hague, in The Netherlands, from 8-12 February 1999.

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