Kenya Champions Population and Development Agenda at UN CPD58 and Geneva Consensus Declaration Roundtable
New York, USA – Kenya reaffirmed its leadership in global population and development dialogue during the 58th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD58) held at UN Headquarters in New York. Dr. Mohamed Sheikh, Director General of Kenya’s National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), represented the country in a high-level expert panel and in a strategic roundtable discussion on the Geneva Consensus Declaration (GCD), signaling Kenya’s strong commitment to data-driven, inclusive, and value-based development policies.
Dr. Sheikh participated in a UN expert panel themed “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages,” moderated by Mr. John Wilmoth, Director of the UN Population Division. The panel brought together global thought leaders, including representatives from Jamaica and Albania, to review the Population Division’s work and its relevance to national planning.
In his remarks, Dr. Sheikh spotlighted key demographic trends shaping Kenya’s future, including high population growth, a rapidly urbanizing society, a large youth population, and declining fertility and mortality rates. He emphasized the urgent need for integrated, forward-looking planning to harness Kenya’s demographic dividend and ensure sustainable development.
He further underscored the importance of timely and accessible data in shaping evidence-based policies, highlighting Kenya’s effective use of tools such as the UN Population Division’s PADIS system—developed with the China Population and Development Research Centre—to track progress on national and global commitments, including FP2030 and the Addis Ababa Declaration.
Dr. Sheikh also called for strengthened partnerships between the UN and national institutions to improve data accessibility and relevance, ensuring that global insights are translated into impactful action at the country level.
Earlier that day, Kenya took part in a high-level closed-door roundtable co-hosted by the United States and Hungary, aimed at advancing the Geneva Consensus Declaration (GCD). The GCD brings together 39 sovereign nations in support of policies that protect life, uphold human dignity, and promote the family as the foundational unit of society.
Kenya’s delegation, led by Dr. Sheikh and Mr. Ken Lwaki, Assistant Director for ICPD Implementation at NCPD, reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to the GCD’s principles. Dr. Sheikh showcased Kenya’s national achievements in promoting maternal and women’s health while safeguarding life and supporting strong family systems.
He also invited international partners to collaborate on scaling up the Family Study initiative across all 45 counties in Kenya s—an effort to generate actionable insights for family-centered development planning.
The roundtable concluded with a renewed pledge from all participating countries to strengthen cooperation and advance the GCD agenda in alignment with national priorities.
Team Kenya led by Dr. Mohamed Shiekh , Director General NCPD during the closed-door roundtable to advance the Geneva Consensus Declaration (GCD) in New York
NCPD Director General Dr. Mohamed Shiekh (second left) representing Kenya during the high-level expert panel at CPD58 on population programme of work in New York
Delegates taking part in the USA and Hungary roundtable on advancing the Geneva Consensus Declaration (GCD) at the CPD58.The event brought together countries committed to promoting health and development outcomes that uphold life, dignity, and the family. The GCD, a coalition of 39 sovereign nations, emphasizes protecting life at all stages, securing health gains for women, and recognizing the family as the fundamental unit of society. The roundtable served as a platform for participants to share experiences and explore ways to strengthen GCD engagement both nationally and globally. The Kenyan Delegation was led by the Director General NCPD Dr. Mohamed Sheikh
