Institutional framework
The Secretariat for Social Development (SEDESOL), established by Executive Decree No. PCM 05-2022 of 6 April 2022, reports directly to the Executive Branch. It is the government institution responsible for population and development matters and serves as the lead agency for public policies aimed at the development and social protection of populations living in poverty, extreme poverty and situations of social vulnerability. SEDESOL maintains a permanent link with the Regional Conference on Population and Development and is responsible for coordinating follow-up on efforts to achieve the targets established under the indicators associated with the nine priority measures of the Montevideo Consensus.
The Social Cabinet serves as a coordination and consultative mechanism that promotes responses to social needs and advances public policies on social protection. It is chaired by the Secretary of State for Social Development (SEDESOL) and is composed of ministers and heads of institutions from the Government’s Social Sector. Pursuant to Executive Decree No. PCM 19-2022, SEDESOL is mandated to coordinate the Social Cabinet through an intersectoral approach. The mechanism brings together 20 institutions that address issues covered by the Montevideo Consensus, including children and adolescents, youth, gender, health, education and vulnerable populations, while incorporating cross-cutting dimensions such as social security, housing, water and sanitation, rural electrification, sports and the prevention of substance abuse.
Participation
The National Population Committee (CONAPO), established under Executive Decree PCM-030-2013, is an advisory and consultative body that provides support to the Office of the President, the Council of Ministers, Sectoral Cabinets and municipal governments on population-related issues. Its main objectives are to strengthen development and territorial planning policies through the incorporation of demographic considerations; enhance State capacities and inter-institutional coordination on population matters; maintain an up-to-date population information system; ensure that government policies respond to demographic change; and promote human resource development and research in the field of population studies.
CONAPO is a broad-based participatory mechanism composed of representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations and academia. In accordance with its establishing decree, the Committee meets at least once every quarter, with decisions adopted by a simple majority. All members have the right to participate in deliberations and to vote on matters under consideration.
The information on Institutionality comes from the regional survey for the update of the Virtual Platform for the follow-up of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development, implemented by the technical secretariat in 2023, as well as from the Voluntary National Report submitted by the country in 2023.