Bangladesh hosts global dialogue on demographic diversity and sustainable development

In November 2022, the world population eclipsed 8 billion people. For many of us, it represented a milestone that the human family should celebrate – a sign that people are living longer, healthier lives and enjoying more rights and greater choices than ever before. But others warned of a world teetering into overpopulation, of entire countries and regions aging into obsolescence. It shows how population issues continue to spark mixed feelings around the world. But this story was supposed to have changed.

In 1994, the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) set the standard for people-centred development, recognizing that gender equality must be at the heart of population and development related programmes. This year, the world is reviewing 30 years of implementation of the Programme of Action, and while much has been achieved, much more needs to be done to make the promise of ICPD a reality – a world of 8 billion opportunities and infinite possibilities, if the right conditions are there for people to live freely and fully, equal in dignity and rights, on a healthy, safe and prosperous planet. 

When we invest in people and their potential, in their rights and choices, all of humanity benefits.

UNFPA, with the Governments of Bangladesh, Bulgaria and Japan, are co-hosting a global dialogue on demographic diversity and sustainable development from 15–16 May 2024 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A wide range of stakeholders from governments, academia, civil society and the private sector will take part in a series of interactive conversations on key population and development issues that are critical for achieving Agenda 2030 and beyond.

The dialogue will unpack demographic trends, reflect on current and future challenges, offer practical responses and highlight the development potential of population policies. Countries will share positive examples of rights-based, gender-sensitive, human-centred and environmentally responsible population and development policies that set the stage to build societies that are resilient to and can thrive amid demographic changes.

Discussions will also highlight how the vision and principles of the ICPD Programme of Action can be advanced in a context of demographic diversity, demographic dividends, aging, urbanization, displacement,  technology and the climate crisis.