Institutional Framework
The Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) is the body that is permanently in charge of population and development issues in Guatemala. This ministry, together with the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the General Secretariat of Planning (SEGEPLAN), the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), and the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) are articulated in a national coordination mechanism to ensure the treatment of population issues and follow up on the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus based on the Social Development Law promulgated according to decree law 42-2001 of September 26, 2021.
The coordination mechanism is permanent, meets every two months and is led by the General Secretariat of Planning (SEGEPLAN), which, in turn, acts as the focal point in the country before the Regional Conference on Population and Development of Latin America and the Caribbean, and functions as a link with other State institutions. In addition, it is responsible for preparing national reports that show the country's progress in the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus.
Participation
In Guatemala, no mechanism has been established to guarantee the participation of nongovernmental actors in the population and development institutions responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus.
However, the National Population and Development Policy (PNPD), according to Article 19 of the Social Development Law, is the result of a consensus-building process that included consultations and workshops with various sectors of civil society. These meetings were organized by the Presidential Secretariat for Women, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), and SEGEPLAN. Among the fundamental principles for implementing the PNPD, the participation of civil society stands out. This policy will be implemented in a coordinated manner by government and nongovernmental organizations, with community participation being crucial to achieving the proposed objectives. Furthermore, Article 11 of the Social Development Law, titled “Public Policies,” underscores the importance of fostering the participation of all of civil society to ensure the success of public policies.
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.