The International Forum on Population and Development closed Thursday in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

"The forum has displayed the great progress the world has made during the past decade in achieving the Cairo Program of Action of the ICPD (International Conference of Population and Development) and the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)," said Zhang Weiqing, chair of Partners in Population and Development (PPD), in his closing speech.

"While achieving great economic development, the world, especially the member countries of PPD, has greatly alleviated poverty, increased family planning and reproductive health services, placed greater attention on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and safeguarded the rights of AIDS patients," said Zhang, who is also minister in charge of National Population and Family Planning Commission.

But challenges still lie ahead in the full implementation of the Program of Action of ICPD, said Zhang. There is a long way to go in achieving universal access to reproductive health by 2015. An aging population, gender inequality, the spread of HIV/AIDS and other issues remain serious in many developing countries.

He suggested that the international community strengthen exchanges and called for more engagement of developed countries in issues of world population and development.

During the three-day forum, PPD member countries submitted reports on population and development.

Developing countries such as China, India and Kenya shared their experiences in population and development, while delegates from developed countries, including Britain and Japan, delivered speeches on their work providing assistance to the international community.

Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, UN Under-Secretary-General and Dr. Timothee Gandaho, Executive Director of PPD, also addressed the closing ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2004)