United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Maldives National University (MNU) to establish a partnership in the development, improvement and implementation of population research. The memorandum of understanding was signed at an event organised by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with Maldives National University (MNU) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to mark World Population Day. The memorandum was signed by Vice Chancellor of MNU Dr. Ali Fawaz Shareef and Country Director of UNFPA Ritsu Nacken.
It is an honour to host such an event and marking the World Population Day has provided opportunity for the university to conduct relevant research which would benefit the community, Vice Chancellor Ali Fawaz Shareef said in his opening remarks.
This year, World Population Day is marked on the theme, ’Family Planning is a Human Right. Family planning empowers individuals, especially women and girls and helps save lives of women and new-borns.
Family planning is not only a matter of human rights but also central to women empowerment, UNFPA Country Director Ritsu Nacken noted speaking in the event. Moreover, in a Maldivian context the topic is extremely relevant to ensure that no one is left behind, according to Ritsu Nacken.
In the event, UNFPA launched a video animation which portrays Maldivian population and also reflects on the Maldivian population in 2054. By 2054, the Maldivian population is expected to be near 1 million, with more than half of its residents living in Male' city, according to the official projections of NBS. The projections also indicate that life expectancy at birth for both women and men will be higher at around 83, while the fertility and mortality rates will decrease and the population in Maldives will age.
World Population Day has been celebrated for nearly 30 years across the world to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.