Partners in Population and Development (PPD) is an intergovernmental initiative created specifically for the purpose of expanding and improving South-to-South collaboration in the fields of reproductive health, population, and development. PPD was launched at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), when ten developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America formed an intergovernmental alliance to help implement the Cairo Program of Action (POA). This POA, endorsed by 179 nations, stresses the need to establish mechanisms to promote development through the sharing of experiences in reproductive health (RH) and family planning (FP) within and among countries and to promote effective partnerships among the governments, Non- Governmental-Organizations (NGOs), research institutions and the private sector.

During the five-year review of the implementation of the POA (“Cairo+5”), representatives at the June 1999 Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly not only documented renewed commitment to the goals of the ICPD, but also encouraged intensified support of South- South Collaboration.

PPD is governed by a Board consisting mainly of Ministers of Health, Population and Social Development from the Member States. The leadership of the Board consists of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer elected by the Board for a three years term and who constitute the Executive Committee of the organization. The Board meets once each year to discuss the governance, policy, programmatic and financial issues while the Executive Committee meets once between the Board Meetings to provide guidance to and evaluate the achievements of the organization. The By-Laws signed by each member state regulate the governance and functioning of the organization