BEIJING, China, 15 June 2024 – On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) in China, the China Family Planning Association (CFPA), and China Youth Network (CYN) co-hosted a national youth dialogue to celebrate the role of young people in advancing human-centred development.

The dialogue is the second of a series of national events on the topics of civil society, youth, and demographic trends that are being organized by UNFPA China this year to mark the landmark ICPD event held in Cairo thirty years ago. The ICPD launched a global programme of action to place people’s rights at the heart of sustainable development, and these events will be crucial moments to bring along different partners in reviewing the progress China has made in fulfilling the ICPD promise since 1994.

“Young people are key drivers for sustainable development. As the custodian of ICPD, UNFPA is committed to working with and for youth for our common future – a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled,” said Ms. Ira Ovesen, Officer-in-Charge of UNFPA China. 

“ICPD calls for examining population issues from a broader perspective of reproductive health and rights. Its human-centred, service oriented, rights based and gender responsive approaches to population programmes have become global consensus. Young people are key focus group of ICPD. CFPA will work with UNFPA to promote youth participation and leadership,” said Ms. Hong Ping, Commissioner of CFPA.

According to the event, UNFPA and CFPA, the largest civil society organization in population and health in China, have worked closely to promote Chinese young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and build platforms for youth exchange with other developing countries. 

In 2004, CYN was established by CFPA with support from UNFPA. It is a youth volunteer organization dedicated to the education and advocacy of sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people aged 10-24. Through peer education, its activities have covered over 700 universities in China and made a positive impact on the lives of 40 million of young people with information and knowledge on healthy relationships, gender equality, effective communication, youth participation and more. 

“The establishment of China Youth Network and later 15 local Youth Networks showcases the power of youth participation – this is always what we advocate for. My experience of attending the seventh Asia and Pacific Population Conference, the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue and supporting the ICPD National Youth Dialogue with UNFPA and CFPA are also proof of youth participation – the attractive part of ICPD,” commented Ms. Zhang Qingfang, core member of CYN.

The dialogue involved various discussions on issues related to youth health, including sexuality education, climate change, technology innovation, demographic transition, and the sexual and reproductive health of young people with disabilities. It echoed the ICPD principles as calling for increased investment in young people’s health and development and ensuring young people’s potential is fulfilled.  

Over 80 young people and youth development partners from across China, including China Youth Network and local Youth Networks, youth advocates, youth educators, social workers, and organizations of persons with disabilities participated in the event.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Shujun Liu, Communications Analyst, UNFPA China, sliu@unfpa.org.