IPU/Countdown Special Session at the 120th IPU Assembly
7 APRIL 2009 | ADDIS ABABA
The Countdown to 2015 Initiative is a multi-partner project to track coverage levels for health interventions proven to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality. It calls on governments and development partners to be accountable, identifies knowledge gaps and proposes new actions to reach Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.
The Countdown 2008 Conference took place in conjunction with the 118th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) (Cape Town, South Africa, 13-18 April).
At the end of the Countdown Conference, Parliamentarians signed, among participants and other delegates, a statement of commitment to continue working on MNCH issues. In addition, the Speaker of the House of the Ethiopian Parliament (host country of the 120th IPU Assembly) committed to continue this work during the 2009 Assembly in Addis (5-10 April).
Planned agenda
The following high-level addresses will highlight maternal, newborn and child health at the 120th IPU Assembly Plenary session, Tuesday 7 April 2009 from 12:00 H to 13:00 H.
High-level Speakers
- Dr Tedros Adhanom - Minister of Health, Ethiopia and Co-chair of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
- Dr Nick Alipui - UNICEF director of Programmes - on behalf of Countdown Partners
Following the above interventions, the plenary will continue, chaired by the Speaker of the Ethiopian Parliament, Mr Teshome Toga.
Presentations
ZAMBIA
Speaker : Hon. Jean Kapata, Caucus Chairperson and member of the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Welfare
Country Countdown and the recently created Parliamentary Caucus on Children. Highlight findings from the recent IPU/SIDA (&PMNCH) mission to Zambia, which focused on the analysis and role of the Parliament in the oversight of ODA, especially for maternal and child health.
ITALY
Speaker: Senator Barbara Contini
Sen Contini will present the process followed in Italy by a group of 10 women parliamentarians in Italy (led by Sen Rossana Boldi) to develop and present a draft bill in Parliament. The draft bill presents the case for increased international aid from Italy, particularly targeting MNCH.
The two case studies will be followed by a debate and interventions from the floor.