Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has issued a new statement, suggesting developing countries should have greater say in global population governance. She's made the comments at the 14th International Inter-Ministerial Conference on Population and Development, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.
Liu said the issue of population is a global issue, which needs to be resolved by the participation of all parties. "We (the developing countries) should strengthen communication and coordination under the structure of international organizations and UN-related organizations, proactively participating in the agenda setting, consultations on solutions as well as establishment on rules and standards on the major issues of population policy," said Liu.
"The developing countries should come together to confront the challenges caused by the population mobility in the context of economic globalization and urbanization," Liu added.
In terms of the developing world's cooperation, Chinese Vice Premier stressed that as the rotating President of the Partners in Population and Development (PPD) group, the Chinese government has given particular attention to the conference. "South-south cooperation is a great initiative among developing countries to band together and meet the challenges of population issues," said Liu.
Puan Maharani, Indonesia's Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister, has told the conference that the theme of the meeting is in line with the current development trend of the world.
"This year's theme is consistent with the goal of the Partners in Population and Development (PPD), as well as the goal of United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is a common problem which needs to be solved by countries all around the world," said Maharani.
Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), also spoke highly of the South-South cooperative mechanism in the conference. She said the South-South cooperative mechanism is playing the role to tackle the global population problem.
With a theme of "Sustainable cities, human mobility and international migration: A south-south perspective and intervention needs," the event has attracted over 120 representatives from 26 countries and international institutions to discuss major issues of population.