UN WEB TV
3 April 2026
The Infrastructure of Survival: Harnessing Tech, Innovation and Catalytic Capital to End Preventable Maternal Deaths in Africa (CPD59 Side Event)
Description
The 59th session of the CPD (13-17 April 2026) convenes under the theme: “Population, technology and research in the context of sustainable development”. Within this context, ending all preventable maternal deaths is a shared global priority and a cornerstone of Africa’s social and economic transformation.
The planned high-level side event session focuses on improving access to maternal and newborn health commodities through stronger supply chains, regulatory systems, and innovation. It emphasizes African-led solutions supported by the African Union and partners like UNFPA, including pooled procurement and new financing mechanisms.
Objectives
1. Advance African-led solutions for maternal survival: Feature African Ministers of Health and continental leaders as champions of market transformation, domestic resource mobilization, and regional coordination to reduce reliance on external markets.
2. Demonstrate Technological and Regulatory Innovation: Highlight how technology—including Real-Time Inventory Tracking—and harmonized regulatory pathways are overhauling national supply chains to ensure life-saving commodities reach the last mile.
3. Mobilize Catalytic Investment and Partnerships: Present the case for blended financing, domestic budget commitments and catalytic capital (such as scaling the the UNFPA Maternal Health Commodity Accelerator across 10 high-burden countries) to fix market failures and make essential innovations universally affordable.
Categories
Meetings & Events / Economic and Social Council / Subsidiary Bodies / Functional Commissions / Commission on Population and Development (CPD) / 2026: 59th Session
Meetings & Events / Side Events
Production Date: 13 April 2026; Video Length: 01:30:41 hours; Audio Language: English,
French, Original
Broadcasting UN Entity: DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS – DGC
Subject Topical: TECHNOLOGY; INNOVATION; CAPITAL; DEATH; AFRICA; MOTHERHOOD; MOTHERS
Geographic Subject: AFRICA
Corporate Name: COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT – CPD
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UNFPA Side Events
Commission on Population and Development
13–17 April 2026
View the entire list of side events here: https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/content/cpd59-calendar-side-events
The good news is that you can watch the whole thing on UNWebTV.
Background: The fifty-ninth session of the Commission on Population and Development will spotlight population, technology and research in the context of sustainable development. The Commission, which is made up of 47 UN Member States elected by the Economic and Social Council for a period of four years, assists the Council in many ways, including advising on population issues, as well as monitoring and assessing the implementation of the Programme of Action of the landmark International Conference on Population and Development.
This year’s session April 2026 will be broadcast on UN Web TV. You can learn more about it here.
The session will feature a number of side events hosted by UNFPA and partners. This will be updated with more events and details in the coming days. Good luck!!!
I will share what I have managed to watch in next week’s newsletter. Editor