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TEHRAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON FAMILY PLANNING

The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, in cooperation with UNFPA, hosted the Regional Conference on Family Planning from 11-15 September in Tehran. The purpose of the Conference was to: (a) identify maternal and child health and family planning programme needs, particularly in programmes in transition from abortion to contraception and family planning, and (b) promote regional cooperation between six former Soviet Republics and Asian countries with mature family planning programmes.

During the Conference, participants were briefed on a variety of available contraceptive methods, management of family planning programmes and on existing collaborative structures. The Government of Iran announced its decision to establish a regional centre to train health officials in the former Soviet Republics in various aspects of maternal and child health and family planning services, as well as other population related fields. UNFPA pledged to supply contraceptives to these six countries and to organize training of family planning service providers.

Representatives from the following countries attended the Conference: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrghistan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Family Health International, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNFPA also attended.