The Commission on Population was modified as a result of
the International Conference on Population and
Development (ICPD), becoming the Commission on Population and Development. The
Commission monitors, reviews and assesses the implementation of the Programme of Action of
the Conference. The Programme is designed to guide national and international policies on
population and development over the next 20 years. In addition, the General Assembly
requested other specialised agencies to implement and adjust their work programmes in line
with the Programme of Action of the Conference.

The Commission co-ordinates its activities through a system
of topic orientated Multi-year work programmes. These are assessed via a 5 yearly review
of the progress made in the implementation of the Programme of Action. In order to aid the
prioritisation of specific issues, at its 28th session in 1995, the Commission proposed
the submission of annual reports on selected topic of the programme of action. The
Commissions multi-year work programme 1996-1999 was laid out and endorsed by the
Commission at the 28th Session. The 5 year review for this work programme took place in
June 1999 (ICPD+5).
Multi-Year Work Programme 1996-1999:
1996: Reproductive rights and reproductive health, including population
information, education and communication
1997: International migration, with special emphasis on the linkages between migration and
development, and on gender issues and the family
1998: Health and mortality, with special emphasis on the linkages between health and
development, and on gender and age
1999: Population growth, structure and distribution, with special emphasis on sustained
economic growth and sustainable development, including education
