The UNFPA SRO hosted the 2024 launch of the State of World Population (SoWP) Report on June 28. 

Published yearly since 1978, the SoWP Report is a flagship report prepared by the UNFPA. Each edition analyzes developments in world population demographics, shedding light on emerging issues in the field of sexual and reproductive health, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities they present for international development. This year SoWP, “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope - Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights,” will support marginalized communities around the world in overcoming barriers to accessing healthcare. 

This year’s event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Korean Parliamentary League on Children, Population, and Environment (CPE) of the National Assembly, and UNFPA. It began with opening remarks from CPE President MP In-young Lee, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General H.E. Hee-sup Lee, UNFPA APRO Regional Director Mr. Pio Smith, and UNFPA SRO Chief Dr. Asa Torkelsson. This was followed by a panel presentation on ending inequalities in SRH and gender, which examined the RoK’s gender equality and relevant ODA. The event concluded with a panel discussion on SRH and gender equality in the RoK’s context, moderated by UNFPA Senior Advisor Dr. Rita Columbia and featuring Seoul National University GSIS Professor Ki-soo Eun.