The UN Population Commission was initially established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946. In 1994, the General Assembly renamed it the Commission on Population and Development and expanded its role. The Commission, along with the Assembly and Council, forms a “three-tiered system” that oversees and advises on implementing the Programme of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The ICPD discusses issues such as population trends, integrating population and development strategies, and development policies and programs. Specifically, CPD’s work addresses issues related to aging, youth, family planning, international migration, urbanization, and sustainable development. Further, CPD supports Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. This helps to ensure healthy lives and promotes well-being for all ages. The CPD comprises 47 member states elected by the ECOSOC for four years based on geographic distribution. CPD’s current work is shaped by shifting global demographic trends, including declining fertility rates in some regions, rapid population growth in others, and rising migration pressures linked to economic inequality and climate change.

As people age, they typically develop more complex health conditions and require ongoing, specialized care. However, many healthcare systems around the world struggle to meet these needs. Care for older adults is often inaccessible, unaffordable, or low quality. One in five adults aged 65 or older report being treated unfairly or not taken seriously when seeking medical attention. When formal care is unavailable or unaffordable, the financial and caregiving burden often falls on family members instead. These challenges are growing more urgent as the global population ages. The supply of long-term care workers has remained stagnant over the past decade, creating serious staffing shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted how underprepared many systems are to protect older populations. Low- and middle-income countries are expected to feel these pressures most severely, as they are estimated to have the largest older populations by 2050. To ensure that older adults can live with dignity and a decent quality of life, meaningful action is needed across several areas. Healthcare systems must invest in better education and training for care workers, increase funding for elder care services, and improve access for those who need it most.

Millions of children under the age of five die each year from preventable causes. These include infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. They also include neonatal complications such as preterm birth and asphyxia, as well as malnutrition. Although these instances are widespread, there are significant regional disparities in mortality rates. High early childhood mortality is linked to limited access to maternal and child healthcare, including prenatal and postnatal care, skilled birth attendants, and access to healthcare facilities. The health of a mother during pregnancy also plays a critical role in determining a child’s chances of survival. As children grow, malnutrition and lack of access to nutritious food can stunt development and increase vulnerability to disease. Infrastructure and public health systems further influence outcomes. Access to clean drinking water, adequate sanitation, and immunization coverage significantly improves long-term survival. Children living in conflict settings, displacement, or unstable housing conditions are especially at higher risk of mortality. In CPD, delegates will consider the population trends, poverty, healthcare access, and long-term social development in relation to early childhood survival.