Deputy Secretary-General's video message to the opening plenary of the High Level Conference on Demographic Resilience: Pathways for Societies to Thrive in a World of Rapid Demographic Change

President Radev, Executive Director Kanem, Excellencies, Thank you for the invitation to address this Ministerial Conference on Demographic Resilience. The Secretary General has highlighted demographic change as one of five megatrends that shape our world and affect progress towards achieving the SDGs. Decades in the making, demographic shifts, like other megatrends, cannot be easily undone or changed in the short term. But they can be shaped over time by smart, consistent policy. That’s why I’m so pleased that the Government of Bulgaria and UNFPA are hosting this important conference. It provides a platform to exchange experiences and policy advice. It will enable countries to find new ideas to mitigate the negative effects of these trends and fully harness the opportunities that come with demographic change. And it brings to life a key goal of Our Common Agenda — accelerating human progress and development through global solidarity and finding new ways to work together for the common good. In this context, we call on countries — in line with the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development — to confront their demographic challenges not through fewer choices, but by enhancing rights and choices, and by investing in the capacity of all people. Countries need to ensure that everyone is counted. That population change is understood and planned for. And that governments have the data they need to invest strategically in the human development — and human potential — of every person. Including investments in universal social protection, health coverage, education, skills, decent work and housing. Demographically resilient societies are those that understand and anticipate population dynamics and trends. And they’re the ones that mitigate the negative, while harnessing the positive, effects. In other words — by making the right policy choices today, we can not only respond to, but actively shape the major trends of our time. And we can chart new pathways for people and countries alike to thrive in a world of demographic change. Sharing ways to do this is what this gathering is all about. I look forward to learning the results of your discussions, and I wish you a successful conference.