NHC Vice-minister Yu Xuejun speaks at the 17th International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South Cooperation in Population and Development on Dec 8 via video link. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]

The 17th International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South Cooperation in Population and Development, co-sponsored by China's National Health Commission (NHC), the Partners in Population and Development (PPD), and the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA), was held on Dec 8. Yu Xuejun, vice-minister of the NHC, attended the conference via video link.

Yu said that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges for the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development. In response, China will spare no efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control, and will formulate long-term population development strategies, push forward balanced population development and protect maternal and child health.

He said that China firmly upholds multilateralism and is willing to work with all parties to continue South-South cooperation in population and development and work together to build a global health community for all.

All parties at the conference praised China’s commitment as the PPD host state and emphasized that while fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic it is also necessary to strengthen experience sharing and cooperation in areas such as population and development as well as maternal, child and adolescent health. Meanwhile, they called on the international community to provide policy and financial support for South-South cooperation.

The meeting was chaired by Lindiwe Zulu, minister of social development of South Africa. Among the over 100 participants of the conference were  Gambian Vice-president Isatou Touray, UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem and delegates of related countries and international organizations.