Briefing for 28 June

The resumed PrepCom for the Special Session to review and appraise implementation of the ICPD POA met in morning, afternoon and evening sessions to continue informal consultations on the proposals for key actions for further POA implementation. Chair Chowdhury asked PrepCom Vice-Chairs to monitor progress on paragraphs where consensus was yet to be reached. Jamaica was responsible for paragraphs on refugee assistance activities and providing access to information, counseling services and follow-up on family planning and contraceptive methods. Uganda coordinated efforts on key indicators. Canada and Romania were responsible for paragraphs on promoting adolescent sexual and reproductive health [and reproductive rights]. Hungary was responsible for a paragraph on private sector involvement.

Delegates reached consensus on eight paragraphs, including those on:

• programme documentation and evaluation
• civil society's role in inducing behavioral change
• linking POA implementation to a broader strengthening of health systems
• encouraging government recognition and support of civil society's important role in changing attitudes and actions
• consulting youth in decision-making on policies and programmes for youth
• WHO's leadership role in assisting countries to establish standards for care

Delegates were unable to reach agreement on 21 other paragraphs, including those on the contentious issues of adolescent and reproductive health, removal of barriers to information on sexual and reproductive health, and sufficient resources to provide access to information, counseling services and follow-up on family planning and contraceptive methods. Namibia and Ghana unexpectedly tabled individual proposals on two paragraphs on plans to meet young people's needs and sex education in school curricula, respectively. These proposals signified the differences within the G-77/China Group. Some noted that the agreement by a significant faction of G-77/China countries on these contentious paragraphs signified that differences between the G-77/China and other delegations might be bridged. Others were concerned that this would further complicate the negotiations. Further consultations and negotiations will take place on Tuesday in the hopes of reaching consensus on the remaining paragraphs.

Official UN documents for UNGASS-21

Provisional list of speakers for UNGASS-21

Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development

Photo highlights for 28 June

Joseph Chamie, Director of the DESA Population Division, and Vladimir Zelenov, Secretariat, having a word with Chair Chowdhury (left)

Chair Chowdhury speaks with Daniel Baker, Secretariat

Jamaica, consulting with the EU (left)

Vice-Chair Beryl E. Chevannes, Jamaica, monitors progress on paragraphs on refugee assistance activities and sufficient resources to information, counseling and follow-up on family planning and contraceptive methods, including new options and underutilized methods

Canada, responsible for the introduction of one of the paragraphs on youth, monitored progress on paragraphs related to adolescents in attempts to reach consensus

Regarding the paragraph on sufficient resources to information, counseling and follow-up on family planning and contraceptive methods, Margaret Pollack, United States, reiterated the US proposal to elaborate on new options and underutilized methods of contraception by including reference to female condoms, emergency contraception, vasectomy and male condoms

G-77/China members consulting during the evening (left)

Ghana (far right) separated from the G-77/China, making an individual proposal to include "education in sexual and reproductive health issues" in school curricula, to which some G-77 group members opposed.

Norwegian delegates (left) Norway

Chair Chowdhury speaks with delegates from the Sudan and Libya (right). Libya emphasized the representation of youth organizations be equitable and reflect all views

Paul VanLook, World Health Organization