Delhi Declaration’ at closing of PPD International Conference focuses on Youth to harness Demographic Dividend

Sh J P Nadda, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, chaired the closing session of the 11th International Inter-ministerial Conference on Population and Development being organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with the Partners in Population and Development (PPD), here today. The Delhi Declaration was passed at the end of the two-day international conference which saw participation of Health Ministers and senior officers from 26 member countries of PPD. The Delhi Declaration acknowledges the strategic value of Partners in Population and Development, which currently includes 26 member countries currently representing nearly 60% of the world’s population, to the attainment of national, regional and global goals on health, population and sustainable development through South-South Cooperation. It emphasizes the importance of demographic dividend as a critical window of opportunity for improving equitable population, health and socioeconomic outcomes, with a focus on investments and appropriate alignment of national legislation, policies and resource allocation for adolescents and youth, as well as older people. With the Delhi Declaration, the member countries have agreed to create an enabling environment, through laws, policies and entitlements, for children, adolescents, youth, women and men across the life course to realize their rights. They have also agreed to accord highest priority to institutionalize investments in the demographic dividend by integrating population issues into national development plans across sectors, including health; nutrition; education and skills development; employment for inclusive economic participation and resilience. The 26 member countries have committed to develop comprehensive, multi-sectoral plans to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls and ending gender inequality and discrimination in laws (formal and customary) and in policies. Recognize the importance of sexual and reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health services, as well as the importance of engaging men and boys, as entry points to address violence against women and girls.