Latin America and the Caribbean Reassert Commitment to Promote the Rights of All People

More than 500 government and civil society representatives gathered for the Special Session to mark 10 years of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, reaffirming their resolve to promote equality and protect the rights of all people.

“In a context of multiple crises that are endangering decades of progress, the Montevideo Consensus is the roadmap that gives us guidance for ensuring well-being and equality in our countries,” said Susana Sottoli, UNFPA regional director, while speaking at the event’s opening.

The Special Session, hosted on 14 and 15 November 2023 in Santiago, Chile, by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and UNFPA, took place within the framework of the fifth meeting of the presiding officers of the Regional Conference on Population and Development.

“Our attention and priorities must be centred on children and youth, older persons, women, migrant persons, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendent populations, people with disabilities and LGTBIQ+ people,” said José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Only in this way will we be able to transform this highly unequal Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The discussions started off with a political declaration from more than 80 civil society organizations and networks highlighting achievements, urgent challenges and actions required to realize the Montevideo Consensus. High-level panel discussions reflected on progress and challenges related to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, within the context of migration, climate change and rapid ageing.

Member states, civil society, youth and indigenous representatives agreed on the need to accelerate efforts to achieve gender equality, to ensure sexual and reproductive rights, and to reduce inequalities and social exclusion of marginalized groups.

Participants discussed the implementation of Montevideo Consensus and addressed the importance of reinforcing an intersectional and intercultural rights-based approach in the design and implementation of policies and programmes. 

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean presented the draft second regional report on the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development, which is the region’s contribution to the global review of implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action. In closing, Mr. Salazar-Xirinachs said, “We conclude this meeting with a renewed commitment and an ambitious work agenda for promoting equality and the rights of the entire population.”