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. 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 as 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 program (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 and 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.

The Government of Equatorial Guinea and its partners Chevron and UNFPA in Equatorial Guinea organized a side event on the margins of United Nations General Assembly 77. Under the theme "Engaging with the Private Sector to Promote Reproductive Health" on 21 September 2022, in New York, the event aimed 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.

Chaired jointly by HE Mr. Simeón Oyono Esono Angue, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Equatorial Guinea and Mrs Diene Keita, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director with the participation of Mr Anatolio Ndong Mba, Chief Permanent Mission of Equatorial Guinea, HE Mitoa Ondo Ayecaba, Vice-Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea, Mr Gene Kornegay, President & Country Manager Chevron Equatorial Guinea,  Mrs Argentina Matavel, UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa and Mrs Hind Jalal, UNFPA Representative in Equatorial Guinea, this event was attended by decision-makers and key stakeholders, including government representatives, the private sector, heads of UN agencies, civil society organizations and academia.

The panel interventions and discussions clearly demonstrated how the private sector, Government and the UN System can work together to promote Reproductive Health and contribute with commitment and political will, innovation and a clear sense of purpose to move the needle to achieve the three transformative results at Country Level. That is ending Maternal Mortality; ending unmet needs of Family Planning and ending Gender based violence and harmful practices including child marriages. The panel concluded with a call for action to accelerate progress during the Decade of Action with a deliberate and systematic shift from funding to financing.