Montevideo Consensus remains key for Latin American population policy

The Sixth Regional Meeting of the Conference on Population and Development is currently taking place in Uruguay, focusing on the Montevideo Consensus as a roadmap for the region's demographic transition.

Uruguayan Public Health Minister Cristina Lustemberg emphasized that public policy must prioritize the sexual and reproductive rights of women, ensuring they can decide on their own reproductive futures. She noted that declining birth rates should not be viewed solely through a catastrophic lens, but rather through the lens of respecting individual autonomy.

José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), addressed the challenges of managing an aging population where up to six generations coexist, requiring the management of competing legitimate demands within limited public resources.

During the forum, Cuban Vice Minister Déborah Rivas reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to the Montevideo Consensus and its partnership with the United Nations Population Fund. Rivas also highlighted the economic difficulties facing Cuba, citing the impact of the United States blockade on the country's ability to meet sustainable development goals.