UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD, joining forces with partners to move Thailand towards Sustainability.

October 25, 2024 - United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thailand, in partnership with the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and partners, organised the launch of Thailand’s ICPD30 Report Conference: 30 Years of Progress Towards Sustainable Population and Development. Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, Country Director of UNFPA Thailand and Representative for UNFPA Malaysia, extended a warm welcome to participants. The opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Worawan Plikhamin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and Dr. Ekachai Piensriwatchara, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. Over 120 participants from government agencies, civil society organisations, international organisations, educational institutions, and youth organisations attend the event. The event is also honoured by Ms. Ramrung Worawat, Director-General of the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, the National Statistical Office of Thailand, the College of Population Studies at Chulalongkorn University, the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the School of Humanities and Social Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and UNFPA Thailand.

The purpose of this conference was to launch and present Thailand's ICPD30 Report, Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD which highlights Thailand's progress and achievements over the past 30 years in line with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda. Additionally, the launch of the report aims to disseminate key findings for expert discussion, encourage dialogue among stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to comprehend the implications of Thailand's demographic changes, identify strategic approaches, and formulate policy recommendations to steer Thailand's progress towards sustainable population and development in the future. Key recommendations from this report include promoting inclusive economic policies, strengthening community engagement, fostering gender equality, leveraging technology for health access, and enhancing data collection and monitoring.

UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD,

Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of Office, UNFPA Thailand, stated that the origin of today's event is to extract lessons learned from Thailand 30 years after the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1944, a significant milestone in advancing population and development issues globally, emphasising the interlinkages between population dynamics, reproductive health, gender equality, and a life-cycle approach to ageing for sustainable development. The year 2024 marks a significant milestone, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the ICPD. This milestone serves as an impetus for the government and all other relevant partners to come together, celebrating the advancement of people-centred sustainable development. It also highlights the unfinished business of the ICPD and seeks resolutions to address them, along with other new imperatives that have arisen with the passage of time.

“The ICPD30 report highlights Thailand's numerous achievements. Firstly, the country has made significant progress in advancing sexual and reproductive health rights. Thailand has made considerable progress in ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. The integration of SRH into the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme has been pivotal, aiming to eliminate unmet needs for family planning and prevent maternal deaths. The country has set targets to reduce maternal mortality to 15 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, demonstrating its commitment to improving health outcomes. Second, the country has made significant progress in addressing gender-based violence. Thailand has established comprehensive support systems within its healthcare framework. Thailand has launched initiatives to prevent and address gender-based violence, ensuring that women and girls have access to necessary services. Community engagement has played a crucial role, with local task forces and civil society organisations complementing state efforts. The commitment to youth empowerment comes in third. Thailand has laws aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancies and enhancing sexual and reproductive health education. Furthermore, it encourages youth participation in the implementation of policies,” Ms. Siriluck disclosed.

Ms. Siriluck also revealed that the ICPD30 report found significant challenges and gaps that Thailand must address, including the care of vulnerable populations, socioeconomic disparities, cultural stigmas and health access. In addition, the report offers strategic recommendations that Thailand should promote inclusive economic policies, strengthen community engagement, leverage technology for health access, enhance data collection and monitoring of reproductive health—teenage pregnancy—gender-based violence, and continue to foster gender equality in political, economic, and social dimensions.

UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD,

Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, Country Director of UNFPA Thailand and Representative for UNFPA Malaysia, stated that since the historic 1994 conference, our global commitment has been steadfast: placing people's rights, dignity, and well-being at the heart of sustainable development. This commitment is encapsulated in the ICPD’s transformative vision of achieving three zeros by 2030: 1. zero unmet need for family planning; 2. zero preventable maternal deaths; 3. zero sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices. Realizing these ambitious goals requires a concerted effort supported by robust financing, political will, and participatory policy processes.

Dr. Onabanjo also reveals that this report chronicles Thailand's experience with multifaceted demographic and developmental challenges, including low fertility, population ageing, and evolving socio-economic conditions. In response to these challenges, Thailand has embraced a comprehensive life-cycle approach, demonstrating a commitment to supporting individuals at every stage of life through targeted policies and programs. This framework has been pivotal in enhancing multisectoral coordination, fostering grassroots community involvement, and developing innovative solutions to persistent challenges.

“Looking ahead, this report serves as a call to action for all sectors to renew their commitment to the ICPD agenda and the principles of human rights, equality, and sustainability. We must continue to innovate, collaborate, and act decisively to build a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Let us harness the collective wisdom and dedication present in this room. By working together—government agencies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, youth leaders, and international partners—we can overcome the challenges ahead and realize our vision for a more inclusive and resilient Thailand,” said Dr.Onabanjo.

UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD,

Ms. Worawan Plikhamin, Deputy Secretary-General, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, addressed that over the past 30 years, Thailand has made remarkable strides in many areas, from reducing maternal mortality and improving access to sexual and reproductive health services, to fostering greater gender equality and expanding opportunities for all. These achievements serve as important milestones, not just as successes to celebrate, but as foundations upon which we must build for the future.

Ms. Worawan also noted that in the last five years, in particular, we have seen our country take important steps forward. Policies have evolved, and innovative strategies have emerged. Whether through the introduction of the first long-term population development plan, the 5x5 Policy: Overcoming the Population Crisis of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, a draft of promoting quality births Policy from the Ministry of Public Health. In addition to the policy momentum, we have the remarkable impact of grassroots efforts, where community members serve as key integrators. Through this 'community-led approach'—spearheaded by Thai Health Promotion foundation to encourage local actors to mobilise resources across sectors to address local challenges. However, The report’s findings serve as a reminder that we must look beyond today’s successes and confront the realities that still lie ahead.

“We must transform the pathways for the future. We must scale up successful local models into nationwide reforms, ensuring that our nation and communities are equipped to thrive in a near coming super-aged society and a rapidly changing world. We must invest in our people—our greatest asset—by ensuring that quality education, lifelong learning, healthcare, and social protection systems are inclusive and equitable, supported by data-driven policies and targeted solutions tailored to the diverse needs of each group,’ said Ms. Worawan.

UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD,

Dr. Ekachai Piensriwatchara, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health at the Ministry of Public Health, asserted that Thailand has succeeded in numerous facets of population and development, such as health, education, and sustainable development. Without the collaboration of all sectors, these accomplishments would not have been feasible. Nevertheless, despite our pride in the progress we have achieved, we must remain mindful of the new challenges we encounter, including changing demographic structures, ageing society, and persistent inequality.

“Thailand is widely recognized as experiencing a crisis of low birth rates. In Thailand, the number of births has experienced a substantial decline. In the past, Thailand experienced over one million births annually; however, in 2022, the number of births was considerably lower at 485,085, while the number of fatalities reached as high as 584,854. Compared to the population replacement rate, the total fertility rate, which is the average number of children per reproductive-age woman, has decreased from 6 to 1.08. This decrease is consistent with the trend of numerous East Asian nations, leading to substantial modifications in the population structure. It is anticipated that Thailand's population will drop to 33 million in the next 60 years if no action is taken to address the issue of declining birth rates. The working-age population will decrease from 46 million to 14 million, the elderly over 65 will increase from 8 million to 18 million, and the number of children aged 0-14 will decrease to approximately 1 million,” said Dr. Ekachai.

Dr. Ekkachai also elucidated that the evolving population structure is the result of a variety of factors, including the successful long-term implementation of family planning policy, which has led the majority of families to continue to plan for no more than two children per family. Urban expansion and development have resulted in a migration to large cities, which has resulted in increased living standards, a higher cost of living, and higher childcare costs. Additionally, women possess a higher level of education, which leads to a higher proportion of female employees. Living as a couple and having children is no longer the primary objective of women's lives, as it was in the past.

“We must, therefore, be prepared and collaborate to develop policies that effectively address these changes. The ICPD30 report is a valuable resource that will assist us in accurately identifying the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, thereby enabling us to meticulously strategize for sustainable development over the long term,” said Dr. Ekkachai.

Panellists reflected on 30 years of progress toward sustainable populations and development initiatives.

The launch of Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD report includes a keynote speech by Prof. Stuart Gietel-Basten of the School of Humanities and Social Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on "Shaping Thailand's Future: Tackling Low Fertility and Ageing with Global Insights for Sustainable Population Development." Additionally, researchers and pertinent experts will participate in two panel discussions on "Key Progress and Achievements from Thailand's ICPD30 Report" and "Life-Cycle Approach to Ageing: Policies and Practices from ICPD30." Moreover, key points and policy proposals are outlined during the event, which also includes an open floor discussion and a Wooclap Q&A session.

The documentary "Living Alone in Later Life," directed by Wanna Tamthong and Chalefun Ditphudee, is also screened at the event. The experiences of elderly people living alone are the subject of the documentary. It looks at topics including isolation, meaning making in later life, and societal views on death. This offers a moving setting for conversations about the necessity of social policies that cater to the physical, mental, and emotional needs of Thailand's ageing population.

Tackling challenges by integrating global insights with localised approaches

Prof. Stuart Gietel-Basten of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's School of Humanities and Social Science delivers a keynote address on Thailand's population challenges, particularly its low fertility rate and rapidly ageing population Similarly to other countries, Thailand is experiencing a significant change in population structure as a result of declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy. He also discusses the need for a multifaceted approach to policy-making that involves both immediate interventions and long-term strategies to ensure the sustainability of Thailand’s population.

UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD,

Prof. Gitel-Basten stated that on the issue of low fertility rates, Thailand needs urgent measures to address the causes of low birth rates, including economic pressures, gender equality, and family planning policies. On the issue of ageing society, a robust framework is necessary to support the elderly population, not just in terms of healthcare but also social and economic inclusion. In addition, Prof. Gietel-Basten emphasises the need for holistic policy approaches that integrate global insights with localised approaches, taking into account Thailand's unique socio-economic context.

UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD,

Thailand's 30 years: has progress, but more needs to be done to speed up development.

The first panel discussion on "Key Progress and Achievements from Thailand's ICPD30 Report" delves into Thailand’s major achievements and challenges over the past 30 years. Moderated by Prof. Wiraporn Pothisiri, the panellists discuss the nation’s demographic transition, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), gender equality initiatives, and human capital development.

Prof. Vipan Prachuabmoh from the College of Population Studies at Chulalongkorn University provided an overview of the major demographic changes in Thailand, emphasising the shift toward an ageing society as well as the need for adaptive policies to manage population decline and ensure social security for the elderly. Dr. Bunyarit Sukrat from the Bureau of Reproductive Health, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, spoke about the advancements in SRHR, particularly access to family planning services. However, gaps remain in reaching marginalised communities, and efforts to ensure universal access must continue.

Ms. Ramrung Worawat, Director-General of the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, emphasises the importance of gender-sensitive policies. She highlighted that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are essential to sustainable development. Programs focusing on preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and promoting gender equality were discussed as critical components of Thailand’s ICPD30 achievements. Dr. Nopphol Witvorapong from the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University reflected on the progress made in human capital development, especially in education and employment. He notes the importance of investing in the young population to ensure a well-educated workforce, which is crucial for future economic stability. Hataichanok Chin-uparawat discussed the role of comprehensive data collection and statistical analysis in shaping effective policies. Ensuring the inclusion of vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities, the elderly, and women requires reliable data. Ms. Hataichanok Chin-uparawat from the National Statistical Office discussed the role of comprehensive data collection and statistical analysis in shaping effective policies. Reliable data is key to ensuring that no one is left behind, especially vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, and women.

The panel concluded that Thailand has made significant progress in population and development; however, the challenges posted by an aging society and demographic imbalances necessitate continuous effort and innovative policy solutions.

UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD,

Life-cycle approach to ageing – from policy to practice.

The second panel discussion on "Life-Cycle Approach to Ageing: Policies and Practices from ICPD30," moderated by Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, examined practical approaches for addressing Thailand's ageing population from a life-cycle perspective. This discourse underscored the significance of policies that support individuals at every stage of life, from birth to old age.

From the perspective of elder care and health services, Dr. Soontree Siri-intawong of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University introduced the concept of holistic elder care, focusing on reproductive health services for older individuals and the need for integrated care systems that cater to both physical and mental health. From the perspective of sustainable population development roadmap, Mr. Napattarapong Vajiravongburi, Head of Human Potential Development and Learning Group, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, presented Thailand’s population development roadmap, reflecting on the past five years and outlining future priorities. He highlighted the need for a coordinated response to the challenges posed by an ageing society, including enhancing the productivity of older people and ensuring that they can live fulfilling, independent lives.

The discussion was also attended by representatives from civil society. Ms. Usa Khiewrod from the Foundation for Older Persons’ Development showcases the success of grassroots initiatives that support aging populations at the community level. These initiatives aim to foster community-based care, reduce isolation, and improve the quality of life for older adults. Ms. Nada Binroheem, the President of the Children and Youth Council of Thailand, presents the viewpoint of the younger generation regarding intergenerational solidarity and ageing. She underscored the necessity of policies that not only address the needs of the elderly but also involve younger generations in the discussion about aging.

UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD,

Recommendations from Insiders: Policy integration, cross-sector collaboration, data/innovation, and gender equality

In general, the ICPD30 conference emphasised Thailand's progress while recognizing the challenges that lie ahead, especially with relation to ageing society, gender equality, and reproductive health. The conference’s discussions and policy recommendations set a clear path forward for sustainable population development in Thailand. The main policy recommendations that emerged from the conference encompass four dimensions.

Policy Integration: A life-cycle approach must be incorporated into population policies. This ensures that support systems are available at all phases of life, with a focus on women, the elderly, and marginalised communities.

Cross-Sector Collaboration: Cooperation between public and corporate sectors as well as civil society is essential to the success of population strategies. Addressing demographic issues holistically requires a whole-of-government strategy.

Data and Innovation: The significance of precise, thorough data is emphasised, as was the necessity of creative solutions that take into account the needs of an ageing population.

Gender Equality and Inclusion: To ensure that women, girls, and marginalised groups are not left behind in development efforts, gender-sensitive policies must continue to be at the core of Thailand's population strategy.

Read the full report and policy brief ได้ที่: https://unf.pa/48rzM1q

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