Progress and challenges in implementing the ICPD in Thailand

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand recently issued a report assessing the ICPD situation in the South-East Asian country, including regarding all reproductive health targets.

Prepared with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the 40-page report discusses Thailand’s population and development scene during the 1990s and prospects for the future. It assesses progress in implementing the ICPD Programme of Action and also highlights challenges and constraints. The report concludes with a set of priority actions for moving the programme forward. Amongst others, the report calls for a reduction of disparities between provinces in poverty and in access to basic social services and an improvement, in particular, of reproductive health in the southern part of the country, particularly in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

“After 10 years, Thailand has achieved most of the indicators set forth by the ICPD and it is willing to share its experience in population and reproductive health matters through South-to-South cooperation and international partnership building programmes”, states Ms. Sudarat Keyuraphan, then Minister of Public Health of Thailand in a foreword to the publication.

Note: further information on the publication, contact the Reproductive Health Division, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Road, Amphoe Muang, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand or email: south@health.moph.go.th