Shiraz, Iran – [07 and 08 November 2023]
The 12th International Conference on Women's Health, with a particular focus on adolescent girls, took place in Shiraz, Iran, drawing together prominent figures and stakeholders in the health sector. Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, the Representative ad-interim of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Iran, offered insights and emphasized the importance of addressing the unique health needs of adolescents and youth at the conference.
In his opening speech, Mr. Abdel-Ahad expressed gratitude to the Health Policy Research Center of the University of Medical Sciences in Fars Province for extending the invitation to participate in this significant event. The conference focused on the critical phase of adolescence, a period marked by physical, mental, psychological, and social transformations. He highlighted the potential of Iran's 14 million adolescents and youth, aged 13-24, to contribute significantly to the country's socioeconomic growth, provided they receive adequate investments in health, education, social participation, and employment opportunities.
Mr. Abdel-Ahad underscored the commitments outlined in the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), emphasizing the importance of meeting the special needs of adolescents and youth. He reiterated UNFPA's dedication to placing young people at the center of sustainable development, promoting their knowledge and empowerment to make informed life choices.
Mr. Abdel-Ahad shared key strategies from UNFPA's Global Strategic Plan 2022-2025, aligning them with national priorities outlined in the UNFPA Country Programme for Iran for the duration of 2023-2027. These strategies encompassed strengthening health systems, enhancing life skills, promoting social innovation and entrepreneurship, creating awareness and providing counseling for responsible reproductive behavior, and incorporating the needs of adolescents and youth in humanitarian preparedness and response plans.
The conference also featured a presentation by Ms. Sylvia Wong, the UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) Advisor on Adolescents and Youth, who provided an overview of UNFPA's interventions and best practices in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan. Participants found these insights valuable, appreciating UNFPA's role in addressing the unique challenges faced by adolescent girls.
The conference presented the opportunity to engage with key figures such as Professor Kamran Lankarani, the former Minister of Health and the current Director of the Health Policy Research Center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Discussions covered a range of reproductive health policies and interventions.
As the conference concluded successfully, Mr. Abdel-Ahad expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of an event that directly aligns with UNFPA's mandate, looking forward to ongoing collaborations that promote the health and well-being of young people in Iran.
