Dakar, 18 March 2016 — The National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHFPC); UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund; and the Partners in Population and Development (PPD) are jointly organizing the Ministerial Strategic Dialogue on South-South Cooperation for Population and Development in Beijing, China, on 18 March 2016.

This dialogue aims at enhancing African priorities in the development cooperation of China and   contributing to transform the Partnership on Population and Development into a multi-stakeholders international forum on population and development.

It also aims at facilitating specific South-South Cooperation between China and ex-Ebola affected countries in building resilient reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) services for all because of the deterioration of the health system due to the Ebola virus outbreak which has specifically worsened the maternal health situation.

More than 80 delegates, including Ministers, Vice Ministers, and senior Government officials responsible for population affairs from PPD member countries and other developing countries, representatives from relevant UN agencies, and international organizations and experts from the academic and research institutions, are attending the Dialogue.

The UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin is leading the UNFPA team which includes the Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mabingué Ngom, and the Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Julitta Onabanjo.

“We welcome this focus on south south cooperation being promoted by China. Such a strategic partnership will no doubt benefit people and countries in our region” Mabingue Ngom, UNFPA WCARO Regional Director

In addition to the partnership agreement UNFPA signed with the government of China, an outcome document is expected at the end of the meeting. It will reflect key actions to further promote South-South cooperation in the field of population and development, sexual reproductive health and reproductive rights, and gender equality.

What: Ministerial Strategic Dialogue on South-South Cooperation in Population and Development

Where: Beijing, China

When: 18 March 2016

Why: South-South Cooperation and strategic partnership with China on population and development

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UNFPA works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

 For more information, please contact:

Dakar: Nelson Muffuh: Tel: +221 33 859 82 33; muffuh@unfpa.org