Introduction
The 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in the UN Headquarters in New York from 7 to 11 April 2025 focuses on “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages,” aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3. WHO is organizing two side events during CPD58 to highlight the need for access to health products to achieve both the CPDI Programme of Action and Goal 3 of the SDGs.
Both events aim to raise awareness of the role of quality-assured health products in promoting healthy lives and well-being for people of all ages. Current gaps and barriers in access will be highlighted, particularly in the context of rising noncommunicable diseases and ageing populations. Together, these events will showcase actionable strategies to improve access to safe, effective and quality-assured health products.
WHO Side Events
Side event: Health, well-being, and inclusion for all through equitable access to assistive technology
Meeting details: Conference Room 11, 9 April 2025, 13:15 to 14:30 EDT, and live on UN Web TV
Hosted by: Ireland, United Kingdom, World Health Organization, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNICEF and in partnership with the International Disability Alliance, International Federation on Ageing, Global Disability Innovation Hub and International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Description: Assistive technology (e.g., wheelchairs, hearing aids, glasses, communication devices) is crucial for up to one-third of the global population, supporting health, well-being, and inclusion in all aspects of life. However, access is highly unequal, with only 3% in some low-income countries having access compared to 90% in high-income countries. This side event, aligned with CPD58’s focus on health and well-being for all ages, will urge stakeholders to address this inequity, ensuring that the 1 in 3 people who need assistive technology due to disability, ageing, injury, or health conditions are not left behind in the implementation of the CPDI Programme of Work and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Special attention will be given to vulnerable populations, including those in low- and middle-income countries, girls and women, older people, those with non-communicable diseases, and people living in humanitarian crises. Speakers will discuss issues and strategies, such as integrating services at the primary healthcare level and enhancing development cooperation.
Assistive technology side event flyer
Assistive technology side event concept note
UN Web TV link for assistive technology side event
Side event: Advancing health equity: Universal access to health products
Meeting details: Conference Room 8, 10 April 2025, 13:15 to 14:30 EDT, and live on UN web TV
Hosted by: Thailand, Uganda, World Health Organization, in collaboration with PATH, US Pharmacopeia, Management Sciences for Health, International Federation on Ageing
Description: Health products, including medicines, vaccines, medical devices, assistive products, blood products, and vector control products, are essential across all health system levels and life stages. They support prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, pain management, and palliative care. Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages relies on equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured health products – however, today, access is far from equitable. For example, globally, 2 billion people lack essential medicines, and 47% have limited access to medical diagnostics. The lack is most significant in low- and middle-income countries. This event will raise awareness and mobilize stakeholders to promote and take action to ensure access to health products as an essential measure towards achieving the objectives of the ICPD Programme of Action and Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Health products side event flyer
UN Web TV link for health products event
What is CPD?
The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is a key body within the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that monitors and reviews the implementation of the Programme of Action (PoA) from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The CPD plays a crucial role in addressing population issues and promoting sustainable development goals related to health and well-being.
Update:
Registration for in-person participation is now closed. Please catch the live event using the links provided above.
