On October 23, the Odisha Vikash Conclave (OVC) 2024, a vibrant multi-stakeholder platform, was held to explore the impact of demographic transition on critical areas of life. The fifth edition of the OVC, organized in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Odisha Development Initiative, brought together over 350 participants from diverse sectors, including civil society organizations, government bodies, academia, corporate entities, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Community-Based Organizations, and the media. The conclave facilitated in-depth discussions on Odisha’s demographic transition, its associated opportunities and challenges, and collaboratively developed a concrete action agenda for the state’s inclusive and sustainable development.

The conclave focused on three major thematic clusters: i) Safety and Security of Women in Odisha; ii) Health and Nutrition, Population Ageing, and Education; and iii) Employment, Migration, and Urbanization. These discussions included contributions from practitioners, academic experts, government representatives, and community voices, ensuring that diverse perspectives were heard.

The deliberations examined Odisha’s changing demographic landscape and its future implications across various sectors. Discussions led by subject matter experts, bolstered by robust data, were enriched by insights from practitioners and grassroots leaders. This collaborative approach, supported by aligned development organizations, fostered critical dialogue for reassessing and realigning state policies and programmes.

The key outcomes of the conclave included actionable policy recommendations for the government, an action agenda for civil society, corporates, and media, and a research framework for academic institutions. We are confident that these outputs will collectively shape a transformative development roadmap, envisioning a redefined Odisha by 2036.