Institutional framework
Uruguay does not have a permanent institution exclusively dedicated to population and development issues. However, since 2010, the country has had a national coordination mechanism for addressing these matters through the Sectoral Commission on Population and Development, which is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development. Chaired and convened by the Office of Planning and Budget (OPP), the Commission has led the preparation of Uruguay’s first and second Voluntary National Reports on the implementation of the Consensus.
The Sectoral Commission was established by OPP Resolution No. 180/2010 to provide advice to the Executive Branch on the development of a medium- and long-term national demographic vision. To this end, it promotes coordination among existing interministerial policies and supports the formulation of new strategies within the framework of the National Development Plan, guided by the principles of equity and human rights. Consistent with this mandate, the OPP also participates in other key institutional mechanisms. Pursuant to Act No. 19.996, it is a member of the Commission for the Preparation of the National Demographic Register, and under Act No. 20.212, it chairs the Commission of Experts on Population Policy. The latter is tasked with assessing the strengths and weaknesses of existing population policies based on the most recent population census; examining the implications of demographic dynamics; proposing measures to address or mitigate potential adverse effects; reviewing relevant international experiences and good practices; and formulating recommendations for the reform of existing laws, regulations and institutional practices.
Participation
The Sectoral Commission on Population and Development (CSPD) is organized through two bodies: an Executive Committee and a Plenary. The Executive Committee, chaired by the Office of Planning and Budget (OPP), is composed of representatives from the Ministries of Social Development; Economy and Finance; Education and Culture; Public Health; Labour and Social Security; Tourism and Sports; Housing, Land Use Planning and Environment; and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Human Rights Secretariat and the National Sports Secretariat, both under the Presidency of the Republic.
The Plenary broadens participation and includes, in addition to the members of the Executive Committee, representatives from Parliament, academia, international cooperation agencies and civil society organizations. Since its inception, the establishment and operation of the Commission have benefited from the technical support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Office in Uruguay.
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 2017.