Moldova is the first country to benefit from the international experience in order to overcome the demographic challenges. In this respect, the first meeting of the International Advisory Panel on Population and Development – Republic of Moldova takes place in Chisinau on April 21-22. The Advisory Panel members are renowned international experts, with expertise in areas related to fertility, demography, aging and sexual and reproductive health. The Panel was created following the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia initiative, IPN reports.

According to a press release of the UNFPA, the Panel has the aim to support countries transiting through different demographic stages to find evidence based solutions and taking into the account the experience of other countries in the field. Moldova, like many other countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, faces a number of significant changes in terms of the population dynamics. Being one of the youngest countries in Europe (25% of the population are young people between 16 and 30 y.o.), its population is aging rapidly (16.2% are 60 y.o. and older). Meanwhile, the fertility rate in Moldova is 1.24 that is below the replacement rate of 2.1.

Ian McFarlane, UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director, said that through the agency of the International Advisory Panel, UNFPA would help Moldova to develop public policies focused on the rights and needs of people.

Boris Galca, Head of Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister, national expert in population and development underlined that Moldova would be the first country to benefit from the international expertise, which would help strengthen the Government’s capacity to develop and implement policies that take into account the existing economic and financial realities, as well as the successful practices of other states.

Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova and Permanent Representative of UNDP said that Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted in September 2015 by all the governments of the world, including Moldova, give a new impetus to invest in the quality of people's lives and to meet the needs of the poor and those in vulnerable positions, so that no one is left behind. “The Panel’s recommendations will help the Government to align with international standards and practices," said Dafina Gercheva.

The next meeting of the International Advisory Panel on Population and Development - Moldova will take place in September 2016.