Remarks by UNFPA Executive Director, at ECLAC Regional Meeting for ICPD+25

In her remarks at the Conference for the Latin American and Caribbean Region, Dr Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director recalled the Montevideo Consensus as a “bright and powerful beacon of hope,” providing a roadmap for leaving no one behind and reaching those furthest behind first. She looked forward to hearing “how governments, international organizations and civil society are making the Consensus a reality.”

Dr Kanem referred to the “renewed attention to young people”, noting that one in four people in the region are between 10 and 24 years of age. Why should these young people encounter obstacles as they move from childhood to adulthood and why should there be such high teenage pregnancy rates and poor employment prospects? With the help of the Montevideo Consensus, the situation of young people in the region has improved and they are better able to claim their rights. This has led to a reduction in teenage pregnancy which, in turn, means that girls are able to continue in school.

Since 1990, there has been a 50 percent drop in maternal mortality in Latin America and a 36 percent drop in the Caribbean. On the other hand, sexual and reproductive health indicators show that a large number of people are being left behind. 

As stated by Dr Kanem, this regional meeting is part of a global process, with the other four UN regions reviewing their own progress since 2013 in the coming four months. In 2019 the Commission on Population and Development will conduct its own full review of the ICPD Programme of Action and its contribution to the 2030 Agenda.

Dr Kanem’s full statement is available here.  (ADD LINK TO )