UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30
UNFPA launched Thailand’s ICPD30 Report: Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD, joining forces with partners to move Thailand towards Sustainability.
October 25, 2024 - United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thailand, in partnership with the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and partners, organised the launch of Thailand’s ICPD30 Report Conference: 30 Years of Progress Towards Sustainable Population and Development. Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, Country Director of UNFPA Thailand and Representative for UNFPA Malaysia, extended a warm welcome to participants. The opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Worawan Plikhamin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and Dr. Ekachai Piensriwatchara, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. Over 120 participants from government agencies, civil society organisations, international organisations, educational institutions, and youth organisations attend the event. The event is also honoured by Ms. Ramrung Worawat, Director-General of the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, the National Statistical Office of Thailand, the College of Population Studies at Chulalongkorn University, the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the School of Humanities and Social Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and UNFPA Thailand.
The purpose of this conference was to launch and present Thailand's ICPD30 Report, Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Population and Development: A 30-Year Progress Since ICPD which highlights Thailand's progress and achievements over the past 30 years in line with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda. Additionally, the launch of the report aims to disseminate key findings for expert discussion, encourage dialogue among stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to comprehend the implications of Thailand's demographic changes, identify strategic approaches, and formulate policy recommendations to steer Thailand's progress towards sustainable population and development in the future. Key recommendations from this report include promoting inclusive economic policies, strengthening community engagement, fostering gender equality, leveraging technology for health access, and enhancing data collection and monitoring.
Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of Office, UNFPA Thailand, stated that the origin of today's event is to extract lessons learned from Thailand 30 years after the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1944, a significant milestone in advancing population and development issues globally, emphasising the interlinkages between population dynamics, reproductive health, gender equality, and a life-cycle approach to ageing for sustainable development. The year 2024 marks a significant milestone, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the ICPD. This milestone serves as an impetus for the government and all other relevant partners to come together, celebrating the advancement of people-centred sustainable development. It also highlights the unfinished business of the ICPD and seeks resolutions to address them, along with other new imperatives that have arisen with the passage of time.
“The ICPD30 report highlights Thailand's numerous achievements. Firstly, the country has made significant progress in advancing sexual and reproductive health rights. Thailand has made considerable progress in ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. The integration of SRH into the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme has been pivotal, aiming to eliminate unmet needs for family planning and prevent maternal deaths. The country has set targets to reduce maternal mortality to 15 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, demonstrating its commitment to improving health outcomes. Second, the country has made significant progress in addressing gender-based violence. Thailand has established comprehensive support systems within its healthcare framework. Thailand has launched initiatives to prevent and address gender-based violence, ensuring that women and girls have access to necessary services. Community engagement has played a crucial role, with local task forces and civil society organisations complementing state efforts. The commitment to youth empowerment comes in third. Thailand has laws aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancies and enhancing sexual and reproductive health education. Furthermore, it encourages youth participation in the implementation of policies,” Ms. Siriluck disclosed.
Ms. Siriluck also revealed that the ICPD30 report found significant challenges and gaps that Thailand must address, including the care of vulnerable populations, socioeconomic disparities, cultural stigmas and health access. In addition, the report offers strategic recommendations that Thailand should promote inclusive economic policies, strengthen community engagement, leverage technology for health access, enhance data collection and monitoring of reproductive health—teenage pregnancy—gender-based violence, and continue to foster gender equality in political, economic, and social dimensions.
Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, Country Director of UNFPA Thailand and Representative for UNFPA Malaysia, stated that since the historic 1994 conference, our global commitment has been steadfast: placing people's rights, dignity, and well-being at the heart of sustainable development. This commitment is encapsulated in the ICPD’s transformative vision of achieving three zeros by 2030: 1. zero unmet need for family planning; 2. zero preventable maternal deaths; 3. zero sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices. Realizing these ambitious goals requires a concerted effort supported by robust financing, political will, and participatory policy processes.
Dr. Onabanjo also reveals that this report chronicles Thailand's experience with multifaceted demographic and developmental challenges, including low fertility, population ageing, and evolving socio-economic conditions. In response to these challenges, Thailand has embraced a comprehensive life-cycle approach, demonstrating a commitment to supporting individuals at every stage of life through targeted policies and programs. This framework has been pivotal in enhancing multisectoral coordination, fostering grassroots community involvement, and developing innovative solutions to persistent challenges.
“Looking ahead, this report serves as a call to action for all sectors to renew their commitment to the ICPD agenda and the principles of human rights, equality, and sustainability. We must continue to innovate, collaborate, and act decisively to build a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Let us harness the collective wisdom and dedication present in this room. By working together—government agencies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, youth leaders, and international partners—we can overcome the challenges ahead and realize our vision for a more inclusive and resilient Thailand,” said Dr.Onabanjo.
Ms. Worawan Plikhamin, Deputy Secretary-General, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, addressed that over the past 30 years, Thailand has made remarkable strides in many areas, from reducing maternal mortality and improving access to sexual and reproductive health services, to fostering greater gender equality and expanding opportunities for all. These achievements serve as important milestones, not just as successes to celebrate, but as foundations upon which we must build for the future.
Ms. Worawan also noted that in the last five years, in particular, we have seen our country take important steps forward. Policies have evolved, and innovative strategies have emerged. Whether through the introduction of the first long-term population development plan, the 5x5 Policy: Overcoming the Population Crisis of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, a draft of promoting quality births Policy from the Ministry of Public Health. In addition to the policy momentum, we have the remarkable impact of grassroots efforts, where community members serve as key integrators. Through this 'community-led approach'—spearheaded by Thai Health Promotion foundation to encourage local actors to mobilise resources across sectors to address local challenges. However, The report’s findings serve as a reminder that we must look beyond today’s successes and confront the realities that still lie ahead.
“We must transform the pathways for the future. We must scale up successful local models into nationwide reforms, ensuring that our nation and communities are equipped to thrive in a near coming super-aged society and a rapidly changing world. We must invest in our people—our greatest asset—by ensuring that quality education, lifelong learning, healthcare, and social protection systems are inclusive and equitable, supported by data-driven policies and targeted solutions tailored to the diverse needs of each group,’ said Ms. Worawan.
Dr. Ekachai Piensriwatchara, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health at the Ministry of Public Health, asserted that Thailand has succeeded in numerous facets of population and development, such as health, education, and sustainable development. Without the collaboration of all sectors, these accomplishments would not have been feasible. Nevertheless, despite our pride in the progress we have achieved, we must remain mindful of the new challenges we encounter, including changing demographic structures, ageing society, and persistent inequality.
“Thailand is widely recognized as experiencing a crisis of low birth rates. In Thailand, the number of births has experienced a substantial decline. In the past, Thailand experienced over one million births annually; however, in 2022, the number of births was considerably lower at 485,085, while the number of fatalities reached as high as 584,854. Compared to the population replacement rate, the total fertility rate, which is the average number of children per reproductive-age woman, has decreased from 6 to 1.08. This decrease is consistent with the trend of numerous East Asian nations, leading to substantial modifications in the population structure. It is anticipated that Thailand's population will drop to 33 million in the next 60 years if no action is taken to address the issue of declining birth rates. The working-age population will decrease from 46 million to 14 million, the elderly over 65 will increase from 8 million to 18 million, and the number of children aged 0-14 will decrease to approximately 1 million,” said Dr. Ekachai.
Dr. Ekkachai also elucidated that the evolving population structure is the result of a variety of factors, including the successful long-term implementation of family planning policy, which has led the majority of families to continue to plan for no more than two children per family. Urban expansion and development have resulted in a migration to large cities, which has resulted in increased living standards, a higher cost of living, and higher childcare costs. Additionally, women possess a higher level of education, which leads to a higher proportion of female employees. Living as a couple and having children is no longer the primary objective of women's lives, as it was in the past.
“We must, therefore, be prepared and collaborate to develop policies that effectively address these changes. The ICPD30 report is a valuable resource that will assist us in accurately identifying the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, thereby enabling us to meticulously strategize for sustainable development over the long term,” said Dr. Ekkachai.
