Press conference of HER AWARDS

Opening Remarks by Dr. Asa Torkelsson

Country Director of UNFPA Thailand and Representative of UNFPA Malaysia

for HER AWARDS: CELEBRATING ICPD30 in Bangkok, Thailand. 6 March 2024

Thirty years ago, at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the international community put gender equality, women’s empowerment, and human rights at the centre of development. Great gains have been made, but we still have unfinished business. In 2024, we have three decades of achievements to celebrate, and the opportunity to place the ICPD agenda and in particular the issues of gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights firmly in future development agendas. For a successful 30-year review (ICPD30), UNFPA-wide engagement will be critical to showcase the importance of the ICPD agenda, to rally political support, and to keep ICPD issues at the centre of major intergovernmental platforms, including the Summit of the Future.

Commemorating ICPD30 is expected to be held by UNFPA across the world. Recommended avenues for engagement to mark the 30th anniversary of the ICPD include organising ICPD30 associated events; shaping the ICPD30 dialogues; amplifying supportive voices in multilateral discussions; and rallying networks and new champions.

In this regard, UNFPA Thailand is to rally networks of media partners to mobilise new champions including youth, feminist groups, community leaders, CSOs, private sector, government, and influential key opinion leaders (KOLs) to celebrate the ICPD30 in Thailand together for the whole year of 2024.