How are young people promoting positive change in countries affected by conflict, humanitarian crises and fragility? How can we collectively shift the narrative away from young people as “beneficiaries” needing “empowerment”, to the recognition that young people are central contributors to building peace and responding to humanitarian crises? The conversations will feature the work of exceptional young leaders, and explore opportunities to support and promote young people’s engagement in humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts, particularly in the context of the ICPD Programme of Action. It will be a vibrant dialogue on the work of young peacebuilders, human rights defenders and humanitarians in promoting peace, recovery and resilience of communities.

Digital health innovations have the power to close data gaps, solve health system challenges and save lives. Together, these innovations can create more resilient health-care systems that put people at the centre. This session will showcase countries’ interest in, and commitments towards, harnessing digital innovations and predictive tools that improve medical efficiency, timeliness and precision. It will also feature a new “global digital good” tool developed by the World Health Organization and UNFPA, which enables health providers to streamline data collection, analysis and use. Expect a facilitated discussion followed by reflections and next steps from governments and partners on their planned investments in digital innovations. This event will be convened by the World Health Organization and Path Tanzania.

The ICPD Programme of Action called on states to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of persons with disabilities, and it demanded the elimination of discrimination that undermines the reproductive rights of persons with disabilities. Despite progress made since 1994, prejudice and systemic discrimination against persons with disabilities remains widespread. This session will raise awareness about the importance of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly women and young people, within the context of the ICPD Programme of Action. Participants will highlight the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities and present success stories about overcoming stigma and stereotypes, gaining access to services, and preventing and responding to gender-based violence.

This dialogue aims to bring visibility to the urgent challenges that prevent indigenous women and girls from enjoying their right to sexual and reproductive health. It will highlight the progress that has been achieved since 1994, the barriers that stand in the way, and the critical elements required for ensuring a rights-based and culturally acceptable approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights for indigenous peoples. Expect an intercultural exchange that puts the rights, voices, and choices of indigenous women and girls at the centre of the conversation.

The Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 is all about securing commitments from community, national and international stakeholders to advance the ICPD Agenda. This session will take the commitments one step further, identifying what it will take to ensure an effective mechanism for tracking these commitments and holding stakeholders accountable. The session will discuss ways to leverage and strengthen existing mechanisms and conclude with a proposal by partners on their options for tracking commitments that advance results, increase resources and uphold human rights. This event will be convened by PMNCH and WHO.

Calling all athletes, sport fanatics and more! Come together to talk about the impactful role of sport in improving the lives of men, women and children. This session is an opportunity for new and existing partners to join the team and chart a path towards realizing Agenda 2030. Expect the unveiling of new and innovative initiatives that advance partnerships for sport and sexual and reproductive health, as well as a round of commitments at the national and international levels from various sporting partners. This event will be convened by Special Olympics and UNFPA.

Getting the right care, in the right way, at the right time is essential for ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all, at all ages. And it is a fundamental human right. Yet poor quality of care and lack of patient safety are one of the greatest killers and challenges health systems face across the globe. Patients receive “too little care, too late,” but also the risk of “too much care, too soon” as over-medicalization is mistakenly seen as quality improvement. This session, convened by WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA, will take a comprehensive approach to quality of care, putting people and their rights at the centre. It will cover the provision and experience of sexual and reproductive health care in particular, highlighting the latest research and implementation experiences from countries.

Gender-based violence is a life-threatening, global health and human rights issue. And though it is pervasive in all communities and countries, vulnerability to gender-based violence is heightened in emergencies, such as conflict or natural disasters. This session will highlight progress that has been made since 1994 on preventing and responding to gender-based violence in emergencies. It will also identify areas where urgent action is still required and the strategies to address them. Expect to hear from activists working on the ground in emergency settings about what works and what commitments will ensure women and girls – especially those who are hard to reach and most vulnerable – can live in safety.

The connection between climate justice and reproductive justice may not seem clear to most people, but to marginalized communities in need of both forms of justice, the linkages could not be more important. This session will address how grassroots activists are approaching the intersection between climate justice and reproductive justice. It will also look at the challenges and opportunities for financing climate and reproductive justice, with a particular focus on women-led solutions. These themes will be explored during panel discussions featuring political and grassroots leaders who can highlight progress made as well as commitments needed to maintain healthy and resilient communities. This event will be convened by the Global Fund for Women and the Global Health and Gender Justice and Governance programme housed in the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Today, an estimated 830 women die every single day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and many more experience acute or chronic morbidity. With the Sustainable Development Goals, the global community has committed to reducing global maternal mortality to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births. The task of saving women's lives and protecting their health requires strong capacity in the health system to address the full range of direct causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. This session will focus on evidence-based strategies for accelerating progress by improving quality, coverage and equity in maternity care through an effective, well-functioning primary health care system, including safe abortion. It will also discuss the need for increased attention to preventing and treating maternal morbidities, and how to ensure that maternity care respects women’s rights and is free of violence and discrimination.