About ICFP

ICFP 2022 marked a major milestone for the global family planning and SRHR community. Held 14–17 November 2022 in Pattaya City, Thailand, the conference brought together 3,600 in-person delegates and welcomed additional virtual participants through ICFP’s first-ever hybrid format. Originally postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ICFP 2022 was the first time the global community was able to gather in person since 2018—demonstrating the resilience, dedication, and strength of our movement.

The community-selected theme, “Family Planning & Universal Health Coverage: Innovate. Collaborate. Accelerate.” guided the conference’s focus and was shaped by the ICFP UHC Advisory Board, which provided technical guidance to align messaging with global health priorities.

ICFP 2022 was informed by 10 subcommittees representing key areas of expertise across the SRHR field. These communities played a central role in shaping the conference’s content, priorities, and cross-sector collaboration.

ICFP 2022 featured 20 plenaries and highlighted sessions spanning a wide range of topics, with high-level speakers joining both in person and virtually. The conference recognized significant contributions to the field through 4 major awards: the Global Humanitarian Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, the DKT Phil Harvey Award, and the EXCELL Awards. Beyond the main program, ICFP 2022 included 31 preconferences, 63 side events, and 4 site visits—creating a robust and enriching experience for all attendees.

Scientific Program 🔬

ICFP 2022 featured the most expansive scientific program in ICFP’s history. According to the post-conference feedback survey, 93.7% of participants said ICFP plays a “significant role” in building the evidence base for family planning.

• 200+ sessions across 16 thematic tracks (oral, flash, and poster formats)
• 1,502 abstracts accepted from over 3,100 submissions
• 100+ sessions livestreamed for global access
• 730 abstract reviewers ensured quality and rigor (100+ abstract super-reviewers)

Political Participation 🤝

Despite global setbacks in gender equality and SRHR, ICFP 2022 remained a platform for powerful political engagement.

• Participation 80 high-level government officials (including 23 members of parliament from 19 countries)

Youth Engagement 🗣️

Youth leadership was a cornerstone of ICFP 2022.

• 775+ conference attendees aged 35 and under
• 450 youth pre-conference participants from 74 countries
• 50 Youth Trailblazer Awardees recognized for leadership in SRHR
• Launch of the youth-led coalition, the Global Roadmap for Action (GRA)
• Mentorship and capacity-building programs, including the WHO–ICFP Scientific Writing & Coaching Workshop and the ICFP Mentoring Activity
• Intergenerational events, such as Lunch with Leaders, fostered cross-generational exchange

Communications & Media 📱

ICFP 2022 introduced two new platforms to amplify diverse voices and extend the conference’s global reach.

• The ICFP LIVE Stage debuted to elevate underrepresented voices and often-overlooked topics not typically featured in traditional scientific sessions. With something for everyone, the stage showcased short, community-led segments on issues such as sex taboos, male engagement, emergency contraception, abortion rights, climate change, and more.
• Also launched at ICFP 2022, the Family Planning News Network (FPNN) is a global network of journalists, influencers, community reporters, and content creators committed to amplifying stories that highlight the power and impact of SRHR. Through its multimedia storytelling platform, FPNN brings real-time community-driven reporting and lived experiences to the forefront of the global conversation.
  

Key Learnings 💡

ICFP 2022 reinforced that equity, partnership, and action must drive the future of family planning and SRHR.

To document the conference’s impact and share learnings, the ICFP Secretariat released a comprehensive ICFP 2022 Recap Report. This report serves as a resource and catalyst for continued collaboration across sectors and borders.

ICFP 2018 took place from 12–15 November 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda, welcoming more than 4,000 participants from 119 countries.

The theme, “Investing for a Lifetime of Returns,” focused on the far-reaching benefits of family planning—from education and empowerment to environmental health and economic growth. Many sessions emphasized how countries can leverage the demographic dividend to accelerate national development, a concept that was also a dedicated conference track.

ICFP 2018 Broke Records Across the Board 📈

• 2,759 abstracts submitted—a 40% increase from ICFP 2016
• 16 thematic tracks, with more than 1,600 oral and poster presentations
• 550 submissions to the Youth Leader Video Contest, which provided conference scholarships to outstanding youth
• Record-breaking engagement across digital media platforms

ICFP 2018 also saw the debut of the virtual ICFP Hub, enabling remote participation and content access from around the world. The conference’s digital reach included over 46 million Twitter impressions, and more than 28,000 video views of original conference content—marking a 5,300% increase from 2016.

The conference featured 20 plenaries, including sessions on the return on investment in family planning, youth leadership and diversity, and global FP2020 progress. High-level speakers and guests included:

• Rwandan Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente

• UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem

• WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

• Bill & Melinda Gates (via video)

• Renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall

Key Moments ⭐

• Launch of the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards in Family Planning

• EXCELL Awards honoring leadership in SRHR

• FPitchfest, where innovators pitched bold family planning ideas

• Red Carpet Evening with global advocates and celebrity guests

• Major funding announcements, including over $260 million from the UK, $78.8 million from Canada, and an $18 million fund from the Gates Foundation for the Ouagadougou Partnership countries

More than 80 side events, 31 preconferences, and 4 site visits added to the dynamic conference experience. ICFP 2018 also generated over 260 original media hits across 20 countries, with strong representation from Global South journalists and youth advocates.

With record participation, deeper youth engagement, groundbreaking media reach, and bold commitments, ICFP 2018 reaffirmed the global community’s dedication to advancing family planning as a key pillar of health and development.

Held 25–28 January 2016 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, the fourth ICFP welcomed over 3,100 delegates from nearly 100 countries.

The conference theme, “Global Commitments, Local Actions,” underscored the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout the multi-day convening, distinguished political leaders, ministers, youth advocates, and scientists came together to explore family planning’s contributions to achieving the SDGs, the central role of youth in the movement, and progress toward FP2020 commitments. The conference concluded with a powerful call to action to accelerate global access to family planning.

ICFP 2016 featured more than 500 oral presentations, 400 poster presentations, and 90 panels and plenaries.

Key Moments ⭐

• The Opening Ceremony was launched by His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, and attended by nearly 4,000 participants from around the world.
• The first-ever Global Humanitarian Award for Women and Children was presented to Dato’ Sri Dr. Tahir (Tahir Foundation), Arif and Fayeeza Naqvi (Aman Foundation), and Sir Christopher Hohn (Children’s Investment Fund Foundation – CIFF).
• Sponsored by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, the FP Voices Photo Booth was a huge hit, inviting conference participants to share their thoughts on the importance of family planning.
• The 13 finalists in the in-person portion of the 2016 Quality Innovation Challenge, organized by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, were announced, with varying grant amounts awarded to support their innovative family planning initiatives.
• The EXCELL Awards were presented to Kenya and Ethiopia; Yayasan Cipta Cara Padu (Indonesia); Hon. Janette Loreto-Garin, Secretary of Health, Philippines; and Hon. Edcel C. Lagman, Representative, 1st District of Albay, Philippines.
• The youth performance at the Closing Ceremony brought the audience to their feet.