Global Dialogue on Demographic Diversity and Sustainable Development

Dhaka, Bangladesh, 15-16 May 2024

 
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the ICPD. To celebrate achievements made in implementing the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals, and highlight the outstanding and multifaceted challenges facing the ICPD agenda, UNFPA has organised three Global Dialogues on key population issues. The first of these Dialogues addressed the perspectives of youth (A new Generation’s Vision for the ICPD, Cotonou, Benin, April 2024), and the third will focus on technological changes (Technological Change and the ICPD Agenda, New York, June 2024). 

The second Dialogue, entitled the Global Dialogue on Demographic Diversity and Sustainable Development, was organised together with the Governments of Bangladesh, Japan and Bulgaria in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 15-16 May. It was inaugurated by her Excellency, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and addressed by Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund, as well as representatives of the Governments of Japan and Bulgaria. Ms Kanem gave an inspiring address that celebrated the many achievements the world has made and outlined the many challenges that remain.

IUSSP President Shireen Jejeebhoy, moderating the session on Universal Health Coverage (third from left). To her left, Reiko Hayashi (APA President); Mirzady Sabrina Flora (MoH, Bangladesh); to her right, Jyoti Shankar Tewari (UNFPA).

The Dialogue brought together multiple stakeholders. About 200 individuals, from governments, academia, civil society, the private sector and United Nations entities, including, aside from the Executive Director of UNFPA, many from the UNFPA leadership (Priscilla Idele, Julia Bunting, Rachel Snow). Participants came from over 40 countries and offered their insights into the multi-faceted complexities driven by demographic change. A range of thematic discussions were covered, including the impact of megatrends and migration on global population trends; the role of technology and data in planning for demographic changes; promoting green, diverse, and inclusive cities; demographic diversity, mobility, and the climate crisis; intergenerational wellbeing and healthy ageing; and promoting resilience within rural communities. The Dialogue comprised 14 plenary and parallel sessions, with each session combining short remarks from thought leaders and insights from lively group discussions.
 

From left to right: Priscilla Idele Julia Bunting, Jalal Abbasi-Shavazi, Natalia Kanem, Shireen Jejeebhoy, Rachel Snow, Sajeda Amin and Wassana Im-Em.

Several common themes were emphasised throughout the Dialogue that are useful for our field. There was acknowledgement of demographic diversity and its relevance for future research and policies.  Such megatrends as population growth in some regions, population ageing and shortage of labour force in others, climate change, and urbanization are just a few examples of issues that need more research and policy attention. Moreover, the need was widely stressed for policies that are rights-based and respect the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls to access information and services. Also highlighted was the need to develop better environmental infrastructure in LMIC and incorporate migration into development policies. Data quality, accessibility, and use of new data were acknowledged as vital for a deeper understanding of social and demographic issues and policy designs.  And bottom-up approaches and allocation of resources at local level were recommended as key to the  success and effectiveness of policies.  

IUSSP was well-represented as moderators, speakers and participants – Mohammad Jalal Abbasi-Shavazi, Akanni Akinyemi, Sajeda Amin, Parfait Eloundou-Enyegue, Shireen Jejeebhoy, Ridhi Kashyap, Niranjan Saggurti, Reiko Hayashi and Nandita Sakia, among others.

Many of the issues discussed at the Dialogue will be addressed further at the forthcoming International Population Conference (IPC2025) in Brisbane, Australia 13-18 July 2025.

From left to right: Rachel Snow, Julia Bunting, Natalia Kanem, Jalal Abbasi-Shavazi, Shireen Jejeebhoy, Sajeda Amin, Wassana Im-Em and Nandita Saikia.

IUSSP Council members: (from left to right) Mohammad Jalal Abbasi-Shavazi, Shireen Jejeebhoy and Akanni Akinyemi.

Current and former IUSSP Council members: (from left to right) Mohammad Jalal Abbasi-Shavazi, Parfait Eloundou-Enyegue and  Shireen Jejeebhoy.

                                    Ridhi Kashyap, Chair of the IUSSP Scientific Panel on 
                                    Digital and Computational Demography.