"Engaging with the Private Sector to Promote Reproductive Health: Lessons Learned from the Government-UNFPA-CHEVRON Partnership in Equatorial Guinea".

New-York 21 September 2022- The international community is at a turning point in its efforts to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to drive and accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2030 during the Decade of Action. As highlighted by the 2022 SDG Progress Report, the socio-economic impacts of COVID19, climate change, disasters, economic instability, food insecurity and inflation, coupled with geopolitical tensions, risk reversing hard-won programmatic and normative gains. There is backsliding on women's and girls' rights and choices, putting sexual and reproductive health and rights front and centre on the political agenda.

Indeed, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda adopted at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (July 2015) lays a solid foundation to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development target. It provides a new global framework for financing sustainable development by aligning all financing flows and policies with economic, social and environmental priorities.

In this context, UNFPA Equatorial Guinea engaged with Nobel Energy (now Chevron) and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to reduce Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in the country. A seven-year programme (2015-2022) was implemented to "Reduce Maternal and Neonatal Mortality (RMMNN) in the provinces of Bioko Norte and Kie Ntem".

The program achieved key transformative results by meeting targets for 16 of its main indicators, 6 of which exceeded targets. The independent evaluation of the programme found evidence explicitly demonstrating impact on reducing maternal and neonatal mortality with 14,821 unintended pregnancies averted; 4,821 unsafe abortions prevented; more than 33 maternal deaths averted and 507 child deaths averted. The program has contributed to social and health system change that has led to a reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality. Sexual and reproductive rights have been promoted and women, adolescents and girls have been empowered to exercise their rights.

This partnership between Noble Energy Equatorial Guinea Limited (now Chevron Company), the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and UNFPA clearly demonstrated how the private sector, government and the UN System can work together to promote development at the country level, with commitment and political will, innovation and a clear sense of purpose and direction. Acceleration towards the 2030 SDG target requires a deliberate and systematic shift away from funding for financing and the lessons from this initiative serve as an instrumental example for Africa and beyond.

The Government of Equatorial Guinea and its partners Chevron and UNFPA in Equatorial Guinea are organizing an advocacy event on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly under the theme "Engaging with the Private Sector to Promote Reproductive Health" on 21 September 2022, in New York City, United States. Aiming to provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to share lessons from a public-private partnership, and explore innovative tools to accelerate progress towards advancing sexual and reproductive health in Africa.

This event is attended by decision-makers and key stakeholders, including government representatives, the private sector, heads of UN agencies, civil society organizations and academia.

About UNFPA

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the sexual and reproductive health agency of the United Nations. UNFPA is in more than 150 countries to improve the lives of all people. Its mission is to contribute to a world in which all pregnancies are wanted, all births are safe, and all young people realize their potential.  Visit us at: http://www.unfpa.org/ and at  http://equatorialguinea.unfpa.org/ Follow us on: Twitter,  https://twitter.com/unfpa_EQGuinea and Facebook

For more information, contact:

 Flora Isabel, Communication Officer, UNFPA Equatorial Guinea:obamamokuy@unfpa.org ­240/ 222 116 861.