United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – History, Mandate, ICPD, World Population Day

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United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – History, Mandate, ICPD, World Population Day

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Table of Contents

UNFPA is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency.
UNFPA works to uphold the rights and choices of women, girls and young people across more than 150 countries.
- UNFPA aims to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can fulfil their potential.
Its work is guided by the principles of a human rights-based approach set in place by 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), gender empowerment and equality, and the imperative that no one is left behind.
The UNFPA is the largest international source of assistance for population programs and the leading United Nations (UN) organization.
Headquarter: New York

History

The United Nations Fund for Population Activities was established as a trust fund in 1967 and began operations in 1969.
1967: Began as the United Nations Trust Fund for Population Activities, responding to concerns over demographic change and family planning.
1971: Recognized as a permanent entity within the UN system, funded through voluntary contributions from member states.
1987: In 1987, it was officially renamed the United Nations Population Fund, reflecting its lead role in the UN system on population matters.The original abbreviation, UNFPA, was retained.

Goal of UNFPA

To ensure every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
Works to guarantee access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, so people can make informed choices.

Mandate of UNFPA

Established by ECOSOC in 1973 and reaffirmed in 1993:
- Build the knowledge and the capacity to respond to needs in population and family planning
- Promote awareness in both developed and developing countries of issues related to population and possible strategies to deal with these
- Provide assistance to address population-related issues in the forms and means best suited to the individual countries’ needs
- Assume a leading role in the UN system in promoting programmes related to population, and to coordinate projects supported by the Fund.

At the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994, these broad ideas were elaborated to emphasize the gender and human rights dimensions of population matters.
- UNFPA was given the lead in helping countries to carry out the Programme of Action adopted by 179 governments at the Cairo conference.
- In 2010, the UN General Assembly extended the ICPD beyond 2014, which was the original end date for the 20-year Programme of Action.

Funding

UNFPA is entirely supported by voluntary contributions from donor governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector and foundations and individuals – not by the UN’s regular budget.

Governance

UNFPA is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly.
It reports to the UNDP(United Nations Development Programme)/UNFPA Executive Board of 36 UN Member States on administrative, financial and programme matters and receives overall policy guidance from the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The Executive Board is composed of 36 members: eight from Africa, seven from Asia and the Pacific, four from Eastern Europe, five from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 12 from Western Europe and other developed countries.

Do you Know?

World Population Day

Established by the Governing Council of UNDP in 1989, inspired by global interest around the “Day of Five Billion” (11 July 1987).
First observed on 11 July 1990 in over 90 countries.
Aim: To raise awareness of population issues and their impact on the environment, development, and human well-being.
Since then, UNFPA and other organizations observe World Population Day every year on 11 July, in partnership with governments and civil society.

ICPD – Cairo, 1994

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), convened by UNFPA and the UN Population Division, was a turning point in global discussions on demography.
There, 179 governments adopted the ICPD Programme of Action.
Programme of Action (1994): Declared that population itself was not the problem, but rather that rights and choices were the solution.
Adopted by 179 governments, the ICPD Programme of Action placed people’s dignity, rights, and reproductive health at the center of sustainable development.
Emphasized that inclusive growth is impossible without:
- Human rights and reproductive rights
- Empowerment of women and girls
- Addressing inequalities
- Respecting needs, aspirations, and rights of individuals.
Programme of Action
- Established a people-centered development standard.
- Guided national policies and programmes on population, health, and rights.
- Called for implementation through collaboration with parliaments, civil society, private sector, youth-led groups, and grassroots organizations.

India

UNFPA has been operating in India since 1974.
The India Country Office collaborates extensively with a range of stakeholders such as the government (centre and state), civil society, private sector, academia, the medical community, media, judiciary, and most importantly, communities

FAQs

Q1. What is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)?

UNFPA is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, working in over 150 countries to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can fulfil their potential.

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