This Friday, April 19, 2024, the Government of Burundi through the Ministry in charge of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior in partnership with UNFPA Burundi organized an exchange and preparation meeting for the 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development which takes place from April 29 to May 03 in New York. On the same days, the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD30) is being commemorated.

This 30th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the last three decades, to remind the world of the crucial importance of the ICPD agenda, to take stock of the situation and to position this agenda for the future, ensuring that it is at the heart of multilateral solutions for the future. The meeting on Friday April 19 provided an opportunity to exchange views on Burundi's declaration, designed to position the country on the ICPD agenda beyond 2024. Development partners and civil stakeholders were present to analyze the country's common position for the 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development.

The meeting was also an opportunity to define commitments that take into consideration new national and global challenges such as climate change, demographic change, urbanization, digital technologies and inequalities. The ICPD30 not only provided an opportunity to celebrate achievements and gains, but also to set the groundwork for governments and their stakeholders to recommit and focus on the future. It is within this framework that Burundi has already held national consultations and produced the ICPD30 review report.

By Queen BM Nyeniteka