From 21 to 23 February, the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA), in collaboration with the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Food Security, Population and Development (UPFFSP&D) and the African Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (FPA), held a high-level meeting on population and development in Kampala, Uganda. The meeting was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, President of FPA (also Ghana’s Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment), Chair of UPFFSP&D, Ugandan Members of Parliament, representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and civil society organizations.

Uganda is known as one of the youngest countries in the world, with approximately 78% of its population under the age of 30. During the meeting, the efforts of UPFFSP&D members to ensure that no one—including young people—is left behind in leading a healthy life through the provision of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services were highlighted. Their work through legislation, oversight, and budgetary measures was highly praised by the participants. Discussions also underscored the importance of providing age-appropriate information on sexuality and called for the development of strategies to address the rising number of teenage pregnancies. On the second day, delegates engaged in discussions with the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) and Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), which is a member association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). The programme also included a site visit to an ecotourism site. On the final day, the President of FPA held a bilateral meeting with Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, during which they discussed industrial and labor issues both between Ghana and Uganda, and across the African continent more broadly.

This programme was supported by UNFPA and Japan Trust Fund (JTF), in cooperation with IPPF.