The 9th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR9), hosted by the Vietnam Public Health Association (VPHA), will take place between 27-30 November at the Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Center in Ha Long Bay. Around 1000 delegates are expected to attend what is one of the most important conferences of its kind, representing governments, academia and civil society.

The Asia-Pacific region has been undergoing rapid growth and change, significantly impacting economies and societies. While millions are being lifted out of poverty, the benefits and costs of development are not equitably shared among countries and population groups across the region. Regarding health in general, and sexual and reproductive health in particular, poor and marginalised communities often lack access to good quality treatment and services.

Building on the success of eight previous regional conferences, the APCRSHR9 will seek to advance the implementation of the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development as well as to contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, underpinned by the Sustainable Development Goals, whose ultimate pledge is to leave no one behind.

The conference will be attended by senior officials and representatives of the Party and State, Ministry of Health; Home Office; the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; related ministries; and local leaders including representatives from the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh.

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Also attending the conference will be Dr. Natalia Kanem, the recently-appointed Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Bjorn Andersson, UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Director, together with scientists, researchers, policy-makers, representatives of sexual and reproductive health and rights organizations, community groups and youth organizations from over 40 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Over 30 national and international media agencies will report on the conference.

Under the banner of Leave NO ONE Behind! Justice in Sexual and Reproductive Health, the conference will focus on five related issues:

• Overcoming social, cultural and religious barriers to sexual and reproductive health;
• Strengthening justice systems for sexual and reproductive health and rights;
• Towards a just economic order for sexual and reproductive health;
• Making good quality sexual and reproductive health education available to all; and
• Advancing justice and equity in sexual and reproductive health and health care.

An associated Youth Conference held on the first day of the APCRSHR9 will provide an opportunity for young people to voice their aspirations with policy makers and donors on issues related to the themes of the conference. A Youth Camp will encourage discussion, debate and cooperation between youth groups and representatives from across the region.

During the main conference, 20 distinguished speakers – including scholars, researchers, editors of international journals, executive directors and leaders of key organizations, universities, UN and government agencies – will present papers and lead discussions on the most pressing issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights today.

An additional 166 oral presentations will be given in 35 parallel sessions, and more than 147 abstracts will be presented as posters. Key issues relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights will be discussed in 27 satellite sessions. Delegates will also have the opportunity to undertake field visits to local SRHR projects.  A parallel exhibition will promote the work of 25 participating organisations.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to share research findings, lessons learned and good practices.  Among the issues discussed will be evidence-based advocacy; challenges and opportunities in service provision, good quality comprehensive sexuality and relationships education; and barriers and enablers to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights, including the burning issues of abortion and sexual rights.

“Through the conference, the Vietnam Public Health Association and the Organizing Committee will provide a platform for participants to share their experience and lessons learned. The APCRSHR9 will provide unrivalled opportunities for individuals and networks to strengthen regional cooperation to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights for all”, said Dr. Le Vu Anh, President of the Vietnam Public Health Association.

For more information, please contact:

INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIETNAM PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION

The Vietnam Public Health Association (VPHA) is a civil society organization founded in 2002. Its affiliates include 11 Provincial Public Health Associations and it has over 6000 individual members. The VPHA is headquartered in Hanoi and is an official member of the World Federation of Public Health Associations and the Vietnam Fatherland Front. With 15 years’ experience, its priorities include policy advocacy on population health; public health intervention to address emerging health issues; public health training and research; and publication including the Vietnam Journal of Public Health.

For more information, please visit: www.vpha.org.vn

INFORMATION ABOUT THE 9TH ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE ON REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH AND RIGHTS

• The Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR) is a biennial event to review and discuss successful policies and models in the region related to SRHR.
• The APCRSHR has taken place eight times in different countries within the region including the Philippines (2001 and 2014); Thailand (2003); Malaysia (2005); India (2007); China (2009); Indonesia (2011); and Myanmar (2016).
• For the first time, the biggest conference on SRHR in the region is being organized in Viet Nam, where it is being hosted by the Vietnam Public Health Association
• Conference partners and donors include the Vietnam Ministry of Health, Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh, Ford Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the New Venture Foundation and other bodies.

For more information on the APCRSHR9, please visit:
http://apcrshr9vn.org/
https://www.facebook.com/APCRSHR9/
https://www.facebook.com/apcrshr9youthconference/