The year 2019 was a special one for UNFPA as we marked the 25th anniversary of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo and 50 years of UNFPA! This double anniversary created a platform to spotlight sexual and reproductive health and rights as the world reflected on the progress towards the fulfilment of the Cairo Promise.. In 1994, at the ICPD conference – crucial resolutions were made to ensure there was improved access to sexual and reproductive health services. The Programme of Action (POA) recognised that reproductive health and rights, as well as women's empowerment and gender equality, are the cornerstones of development. This conference is what has continued to drive UNFPA's work over the years.

In Botswana, UNFPA has through various strategic partnerships contributed to the results and achievements detailed in this 2019 annual report. We will carry these partnerships forward in 2020 and beyond to ensure universal access to sexual reproductive health services. Although progress was recorded in 2019 – there is still a lot of unfinished business in various areas that requires our collective action to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health.