ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 3 RD CHINA- AFRICA CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

The attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a priority to all countries and their governments, globally. Population data management and universal access to reproductive health can help advance development and attainment of the SDGs. Universal access to reproductive health rights improves women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth; results in gender equality, promotes child health and survival; enhances female educational outcomes and reduces poverty. Universal access to reproductive health affects different aspects of life and can contribute directly to the attainment of the following SDGs: 3 (Good Health and Well-being),4 (Quality Education) and 5 (Gender Equality), and indirectly to the attaining the remaining goals. In Africa, universal access to reproductive health is limited since adolescent births remain high, contraceptive prevalence is still low and unmet need for family planning is still high compared to the rest of the world