High-Level Task Force for the International Conference on Population and Development (HLTF-ICPD)

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The High-Level Task Force for the International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD) is mandated as an independent body to provide an authoritative, progressive voice for advancing three pillars essential to poverty eradication and sustainable development in the ICPD Beyond 2014 and Post-2015 Development Agendas: gender equality, the human rights and empowerment of women and girls, the rights and empowerment of adolescents and youth, and sexual and reproductive rights for all. Co-chaired by former Presidents Tarja Halonen of Finland and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, the Task Force comprises a group of distinguished leaders from all regions of the world, serving in their individual capacities with records of service as leaders in government, civil society and the academic and philanthropic sectors. In 2015, the Task Force will centre its work on sustaining momentum to galvanize political will to bridge the ICPD Beyond 2014 with the new global development agenda. Through the end of its mandate in December 2015, the Task Force will continue to engage in the inter-governmental process and leverage the expertise and stature of its Members, as well as its global partnerships, to execute its three-pronged strategy – policy-oriented advocacy, alliance- and coalition-building, and communications and outreach – to contribute to a global development agenda that reflects the centrality of the human rights of women and young people, especially their sexual and reproductive health and rights, to sustainable development.