WUHAN, Sept. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The International Forum on Population and Development opened on Tuesday in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

Hua Jianmin, State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council, said at the forum's opening ceremony that governments all over the world and the international society have achieved important progress in implementing the ICPD (International Conference of Population and Development) Program of Action and the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) thanks to their persistent efforts.

"We have witnessed the increase in human life expectancy, decline in maternal and infant mortality, a richer variety of options of life styles and more opportunities available to people all over the world," he said.

The overwhelming majority of countries and regions have reached consensus to adhere to and develop the principles and spirit of the ICPD Program of Action and the MDGs, he added.

He also introduced China's measures for performing the commitments to both the ICPD Program of Action and the MDGs.

He said as a country of the South, the Chinese government has felt strongly about the following aspects in its implementation of the ICPD Program of Action and the MDGs:

-- coexistence is the prerequisite for continuous advancement of the human society;

-- sharing is the means for mankind to achieve common prosperity;

-- win-win is the goal of human society for progress on all fronts.

Wang Zhongyu, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Dr. Thoraya Obaid, UN under-secretary-general and executive director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Dr. Steven W. Sinding, director-general of International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), also addressed the opening ceremony.

The three-day forum will discuss following topics, including poverty alleviation; reproductive health and family planning; HIV/AIDS prevention, control and care; adolescent sexual and reproductive health; reduction of maternal and infant mortality; and empowerment of women and role of NGOs.