The Cairo Conference (International Conference on Population and Development)

The International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo in 1994, was a global meeting where countries agreed on a comprehensive approach to reproductive health, family planning, and sustainable development. It shifted focus from population control to improving individual health, rights, and gender equality. The conference emphasized that empowering people with education and healthcare leads to healthier families and sustainable growth. Key outcomes included commitments to reduce maternal mortality, promote reproductive rights, and integrate population policies into larger social development strategies. It marked a significant shift towards viewing population issues as interconnected with broader human rights and development goals.