The Phnom Penh Post

World Population Day marked

- Long Kimmarita

AS 179 COUNTRIES across the globe celebrated World Population Day on Thursday, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced t he government’s commitment to achiev ing the UN’s 2030 Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals.

He also acknowledg­ed that Cambodia still faced some major challenges.

The 30th World Population Day marked the 25th anniversar­y of the UN Population Fund’s (UNFPA) work in Cambodia and the 50th anniversar­y of the organisati­on.

Thursday also marked the 25th anniversar­y of the Internatio­nal Conference on Population and Developmen­t (ICPD), messages from Hun Sen and the UNFPA said.

The UN website said 179 government­s recognised that reproducti­ve health and gender equality were essential to achieve sustainabl­e developmen­t at the “landmark” ICPD in 1994 in Cairo, Egypt.

The ICPD recognised the relationsh­ip between population and developmen­t, and highlighte­d the bravery of women while promoting reproducti­ve health and women’s rights to be included as part of national, regional and global developmen­t.

“There have been many achievemen­ts in Cambodia over the past 25 years, including population grow th and improvemen­ts in reproducti­ve healt h, economic grow th, education and the reduction of povert y, as well as protection for t he v ulnerable, among ot hers,” Hun Sen’s message said.

However, the prime minister said he was still not satisfied and called for further efforts to resolve outstandin­g issues to achieve the sustainabl­e developmen­t goal of “Leaving No One Behind”.

“Although remarkable achievemen­ts have been made, we are still not where we want to be,” he stressed.

Hun Sen said Cambodia will participat­e in the Internatio­nal Conference on Population and Developmen­t to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November.

“Cambodia continues to be committed to the full and effective implementa­tion of the Programme of Action and acknowledg­es its importance for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals,” the prime minister said.

The UNFPA said the Kingdom still has a lot of work to do.

The last Cambodia Demographi­c and Health Sur vey showed t hat teenage pregnancy remains a major concern, wit h 12 per cent of girls aged 15-19 a lready mothers. Family planning and an end to v iolence against women and children needed to be addressed as a priorit y, it said.

“For 25 years, UNFPA has stood with the Cambodian government to ensure choice. Today we celebrate the choices and victories obtained.

“Tomorrow, and every day after, we will continue to stand with every woman, girl and young person in the pursuit of rights and choices for all,” a letter by UNFPA representa­tive Rizvina de Alwis said.

The UNFPA also held an event to celebrate World Population Day at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

Attended by Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, it included guest speakers, who highlighte­d some of the past 25 years’ achievemen­ts and their hopes for the future, apart from traditiona­l dances.

There was also a photograph­y exhibition showcasing past achievemen­ts and champions for change. The event was intended to inspire the fulfilment of any Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goal not yet achieved.

“Over the past 25 years, Cambodia has been successful in giving rights to women and they have more opportunit­ies and choices than before, especially with regard to determinin­g how many children they have.

“Youth have more opportunit­ies now than 25 years ago . . . opportunit­ies to help their families and communitie­s through their creativity and talent. When girls and women enjoy full rights, Cambodia can achieve its 2030 Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goal,” Sar Kheng said.

“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainabl­e Developmen­t is the world’s blueprint for a better future for all on a healthy planet.

“On World Population Day, we recognise that this mission is closely interrelat­ed with demographi­c trends including population growth, ageing, migration and urbanisati­on,” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said to mark the July 11 event.

 ?? HUN SEN’S FACEBOOK PAGE ?? Hun Sen on Thursday reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to achieving the 2030 Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals.
HUN SEN’S FACEBOOK PAGE Hun Sen on Thursday reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to achieving the 2030 Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Cambodia