July 11 is World Population Day.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) set WPD in order to commemorate July 11 1987 when the global population reached 5 billion.
The theme for this year’s WPD is “25 years of the ICPD: accelerating the promise”.
The ICPD stands for the International Conference on Population and Development which was held in the Egyptian capital of Cairo in September 1994 with representatives from 179 countries in attendance.
With human beings at the centre of socio-economic development and on the basis of the common understanding that the settlement of women’s issues exerts great influence on resolving the issue of world population, the ICPD affirmed that respecting and empowering women and ensuring human reproductive health and rights are matters of key importance in solving the population problem.
At the ICPD, the direction of addressing the population issue shifted from the restriction of population growth to the formulation of policies and action programmes centring on human life.
At present, ever-growing attention is being paid to this issue, and to respect and ensure women’s rights has been brought into a strong focus in redressing the issue.
Although many international agreements such as the Beijing Declaration and Programme of Action and the Asia-Pacific Declaration on Population and Development have been adopted over the past 25 years since the ICPD Programme of Action, people’s demand for reproductive health for all including family planning is yet to be satisfied.
Annually, some 289 thousand women die from complications at the time of pregnancy and delivery across the world. And 13 percent, most of whom are teenage girls, die due to unsafe abortion.
Especially, in the least-developed countries, one out of three pregnant women does not receive proper pregnancy care and more than half of the deliveries take place somewhere outside healthcare facilities and with the help of those who have not been trained as midwives.
Inadequate family planning service results in numerous unwanted pregnancies and 500 000 cervical cancer cases are registered and half of them die every year, and half of the tens of millions of people infected by HIV are women under 24.
In reflection of the realities, the UNFPA set the theme for WPD for this year, which marks the 25th anniversary of the ICPD, in order to urge all governments to commit themselves to accelerating the implementation of ICPD action programme.
More From Pyongyang Times
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, mentioned the root cause of conflict with the United States as he address
November 11, 2025
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, mentioned the root cause of conflict with the United States as he address
Russia has recently launched nuclear submarine Khabarovsk. The launching ceremony of the submarine was held in Severodvinsk in the
November 11, 2025
Russia has recently launched nuclear submarine Khabarovsk. The launching ceremony of the submarine was held in Severodvinsk in the
Agricultural workers of the Kumsaem Farm in Kumgang County, Kangwon Province, became blessed owners of modern rural dwelling
November 11, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Kumsaem Farm in Kumgang County, Kangwon Province, became blessed owners of modern rural dwelling
Mt Kumgang is famous not only for its natural scenery but also for its rich historical and cultural heritage elements created and
November 11, 2025
Mt Kumgang is famous not only for its natural scenery but also for its rich historical and cultural heritage elements created and
The Inpho Farm in Songnim City, North Hwanghae Province, reaped bumper crops. The farm has increased the per-hectare grain output
November 11, 2025
The Inpho Farm in Songnim City, North Hwanghae Province, reaped bumper crops. The farm has increased the per-hectare grain output
The national exhibition of IT successes-2025 was held at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang from October 20 to 30. The exhibition,
November 11, 2025
The national exhibition of IT successes-2025 was held at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang from October 20 to 30. The exhibition,
Kim Il Sung University has recently developed and introduced Korean-style advanced analytical equipment into the large oxygen
November 11, 2025
Kim Il Sung University has recently developed and introduced Korean-style advanced analytical equipment into the large oxygen
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, censured the West for spending huge amounts of money on Ukraine
November 10, 2025
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, censured the West for spending huge amounts of money on Ukraine
A vice-defence minister of Russia emphasized the need to adhere to the single and indivisible security principle at the recent
November 10, 2025
A vice-defence minister of Russia emphasized the need to adhere to the single and indivisible security principle at the recent
DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 1st CISM Military Men's Weightlifting Challenge held in Iran. At the
November 10, 2025
DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 1st CISM Military Men's Weightlifting Challenge held in Iran. At the
A public tasting of apples and pears produced on fruit farms across the country this year took place in Pyongyang on October 29.
November 10, 2025
A public tasting of apples and pears produced on fruit farms across the country this year took place in Pyongyang on October 29.
The 19th National Machine Design Festival took place at the Okryu Exhibition House between October 24 and 30. On display at the
November 10, 2025
The 19th National Machine Design Festival took place at the Okryu Exhibition House between October 24 and 30. On display at the
The Kuryongphyong Dairy Cattle and Goat Farm in Hongui-dong, Sonbong District, Rason Municipality, has developed into a modern
November 10, 2025
The Kuryongphyong Dairy Cattle and Goat Farm in Hongui-dong, Sonbong District, Rason Municipality, has developed into a modern
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan’s interference in China’s internal affairs at a news conference on No
November 09, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan’s interference in China’s internal affairs at a news conference on No
The 2025 National Open Table-Tennis Tournament and Open Tennis Tournament took place at the Table-Tennis Gymnasium and the
November 09, 2025
The 2025 National Open Table-Tennis Tournament and Open Tennis Tournament took place at the Table-Tennis Gymnasium and the
The 12th Pyongyang Musical Instruments Exhibition opened with due ceremony at the Pyongyang International House of Culture on
November 09, 2025
The 12th Pyongyang Musical Instruments Exhibition opened with due ceremony at the Pyongyang International House of Culture on
The 12th National Exhibition of Scientific Research Achievements of Universities took place at Kim Chaek University of Technology
November 09, 2025
The 12th National Exhibition of Scientific Research Achievements of Universities took place at Kim Chaek University of Technology
Rural residential districts have been built at the Jungdok and Jungsang farms in Junggang County, Jagang Province, which are
November 09, 2025
Rural residential districts have been built at the Jungdok and Jungsang farms in Junggang County, Jagang Province, which are
The delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation headed by Director
November 09, 2025
The delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation headed by Director
The Joyang Farm of the South Hamgyong Provincial Rural Economy Committee had a good harvest this year. Thanks to the officials and
November 09, 2025
The Joyang Farm of the South Hamgyong Provincial Rural Economy Committee had a good harvest this year. Thanks to the officials and
More Articles