UPDATE (January 5, 2015): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has released the final synthesis report “The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet.” Although it fails to refer to family planning, it does address sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. Paragraph 70 of the final report states:
70. The agenda must address universal health-care coverage, access and affordability; end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths and malnutrition; ensure the availability of essential medicines; realize women’s sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights; ensure immunization coverage; eradicate malaria and realize the vision of a future free of AIDS and tuberculosis; reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, including mental illness, and of nervous system injuries and road accidents; and promote healthy behaviours, including those related to water, sanitation and hygiene.
The advance version of the synthesis report, referenced below, did not mention sexual health.
International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health are very disappointed that there was no specific reference to family planning, sexual health, or sexual rights in United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s synthesis report (Dec. 4, 2014), “The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet,” which guides negotiations for a new global agenda.
Co-signed by Jose “Oying” Rimon III, Director of the Gates Institute and by Owain James, Director of External Relations at IPPF, on behalf of Tewodros Melesse, Director-General of IPPF, the institutions sent a response letter to Mr. Ban, conveying their disappointment in the synthesis report.
The letter notes, “It is imperative that this stance reflect the results of the very open and democratic consultative process and that the new proposed wording not be taken as the ’starting point’ for the intergovernmental negotiations.”
With regard to family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights, the synthesis report does not reflect the wording of the Open Working Group report or outcomes of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Beyond 2014 process, the 47th Session of the Commission on Population and Development in April 2014, and the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the ICPD in September 2014.
In August, the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning commended the Addis Call to Action, a declaration of support for family planning as a key part of development and inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals. The Addis Call to Action was launched at the conclusion of the 2013 International Conference on Family Planning and presented by Dr. Michael J. Klag, Dean of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.
View IPPF's statement on their website and view the response letter below:
