Asia-Pacific Population Journal - Volume 28, Issue 1, 2014

The present issue of the Asia-Pacific Population Journal contains three conference room papers. These papers were prepared to inform delegates and participants of the Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference, which was organized by ESCAP, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in Bangkok from 16 to 20 September 2013.

This paper contains a review of the key trends in sexual and reproductive health and rights in Asia and the Pacific since the adoption of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994. In the paper, key areas of progress, as well the unfinished agenda of ICPD and emerging issues in the region are identified and policy recommendations to effectively address them are provided.

This paper contains a review of the key trends in sexual and reproductive health and rights in Asia and the Pacific since the adoption of the Programme of Action by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994. In the paper, key areas of progress, as well as the unfinished agenda and emerging issues in the region are identified and policy recommendations to effectively address them are provided. The paper also contains a discussion on the various barriers to ensuring universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, such as financial, physical and sociocultural barriers, highlighting current deficiencies in health systems across the region. The recommendations to address these challenges focus on reducing disparities in access to a comprehensive and integrated package of sexual and reproductive health services for different population groups, creating an enabling legal and policy framework, measures to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and mechanisms to improve monitoring and accountability.

In the present paper, consideration is given to social integration — namely, the extent to which individuals have equal opportunities and rights — in the Asia-Pacific region and how policies can be implemented to achieve this. Although the region is characterized by demographic diversity, there are common challenges across the region as regards enhancing social integration. In order to meet these challenges, rather than just addressing issues of poverty, consideration needs to be given to access to basic services as well as to issues such as stigmatization and discrimination. Population ageing and evolving dependency ratios in the region highlight the need to invest in social protection, which can also act to address social exclusion, such as that faced by children, the unemployed, persons with disabilities and older persons.

The present paper contains an analysis of the complex links between population dynamics and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific that have developed over the last 20 years. Basic changes in population dynamics in the region since 1990 are first described, followed by an examination of critical issues regarding the links between population dynamics and the three defining dimensions of sustainable development, namely economic growth, social justice and environmental sustainability.

The following statement was delivered on behalf of Civil Society Organizations in Asia and the Pacific at the Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference. While acknowledging progress made, the statement points at continuing challenges, specifically related to gender equality and sexual rights. The statement calls, among other things, for a fair and transparent monitoring process of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and strengthening accountability mechanisms.

The following statement was issued on behalf of more than 50 youth organizations in Asia and the Pacific and was delivered at the Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference. The statement addresses the incomplete agenda in the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), namely sexual and reproductive rights. The statement gives recommendations in five thematic areas that are pertinent to young people, namely education, sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescents and young people, comprehensive sexuality education, abortion, and young people and migration.