Statement by H.E. Ambassador Mr Mohan Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

at the ICPD 30th anniversary commemoration

Mr. President for giving me the floor,

It is with great pleasure that I speak today at this historic milestone to celebrate 30 years of ICPD, which has provided much support to our journey towards creating an equitable, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.

In 1994, leaders from 179 countries stood united and committed to a visionary agenda - a pledge to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health, reduce child and maternal mortality, and empower women with the common understanding that this is vital for sustainable development.  

Sri Lanka is proud to be a part of this global movement and has tirelessly championed these ideals since Cairo to ICPD+25 in Nairobi by advocating for measures to combat the sexual abuse of children, measures to address maternal mortality, adolescent reproductive health, and the impact of economic shocks on development programmes.

We are today in a world where the population is more than three times larger than it was in the mid-twentieth century. The global human population reached 8.1 billion in 2024 from an estimated 2.5 billion people in 1950, adding 1 billion people since 2010 and 2 billion since 1998. This number is expected to increase by nearly 2 billion persons in the next 30 years, from the current 8 billion to 9.7 billion in 2050, and could peak at nearly 10.4 billion in the mid-2080s.

As such, being aware of the fact that countries with growing populations have the potential for demographic dividends once the fertility declines, if people have quality education, good health and decent work, Sri Lanka’s efforts have focused on respecting individuals' rights in grappling with population issues and advancing reproductive and sexual health.

We implemented policies and strategies promoting population and reproductive health, transformed the family planning programme into a holistic reproductive health service, and expanded our health infrastructure to provide near-universal access to reproductive health services. We also implemented an action plan to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.   

Today, We are proud that Sri Lanka has achieved gender parity in education enrollment and the lowest maternal and infant mortality rates in the region. Globally, progress has been achieved in improving access to education, access to sexual and reproductive health services, reducing child and maternal mortality, advancing gender equality, and poverty reduction.
The ICPD's emphasis on reproductive health and rights has had a significant impact on global policies and programs. It has helped to shift the focus from population control to a rights-based approach, prioritizing individuals' autonomy and well-being. The conference continues to serve as a guiding framework for advancing reproductive health and rights worldwide.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are cognizant that despite the progress made in the ICPD, several gaps remain in the implementation. In this regard, voluntary commitments made by the Member States to further the 2030 agenda are of high importance. Today, we are confronted with the challenges of population growth, population aging, urbanization, migration, climate change, and inequalities that threaten to undermine our progress. we are also facing scourges of ongoing conflicts in the world, and their spillover impacts on all the other regions, in addition to the triple planetary crisis, scarcity of food and water, access to decent jobs, and sustainable energy.

To address population development effectively, it is important that we consider a multi-faceted approach.

1. Promote education: Encouraging education, especially for girls and women, has been shown to have a positive impact on reducing population growth. Education empowers individuals to make informed choices about family planning and raises awareness about the benefits of smaller family sizes.

2. Improve healthcare services: Access to quality healthcare, including reproductive health services, is crucial for effective population development. This includes providing family planning services, maternal and child health care, and access to contraceptives.

3. Empower women and promote gender equality: Empowering women by ensuring their rights and opportunities for education and employment can have a significant impact on population development. When women have control over their reproductive choices, they are more likely to have smaller families.

4. Enhance economic opportunities: Creating economic opportunities, particularly in developing countries, can help reduce population growth. When people have access to decent jobs and economic stability, they are more likely to invest in their own well-being and choose to have smaller families.

5. Raise awareness and promote family planning: Effective communication campaigns and awareness programs can play a vital role in promoting family planning and reproductive health. These initiatives can help dispel myths, provide accurate information, and encourage the use of contraceptives.

6. Sustainable development practices: Encouraging sustainable development practices, such as promoting renewable energy, reducing resource consumption, and addressing climate change, can help create a more sustainable future for the growing population.

It must be appreciated that it is important to implement these strategies in a culturally sensitive and context-specific manner, taking into account the unique challenges and opportunities of each population. Collaboration between governments, NGOs, and international organizations is also crucial for addressing population development effectively.

Hence, it is no secret that realizing the ICPD beyond 30 years would require the power of unity, global solidarity, and international cooperation in achieving progress towards sustainable development. In tackling these challenges, Sri Lanka remains committed to the ICPD agenda and to working together to take action to ensure the full implementation of the ICPD. Sri Lanka looks forward to working with the global community towards the common goal of realizing these endeavours.

Thank you.