UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
|
| UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) |
|
ISO: ERI
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The electronic preparation of this document has been done by the
Population Information Network(POPIN) of the United Nations Population
Division in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme
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AS WRITTEN
STATEMENT OF THE-GOVERNMENT OF ERITREA
The International Conference
On Population and Development
Cairo
September 5 - 13, 1994
Mr. Chairman,
Honourable Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The International Conference on Population and Development must be
applauded for the pioneer work that it has set in motion to address one
of the crucial challenges to our global society in the 21st century. The
recognition of the symbiotic relationship between development and
population; the need to rationalise patterns of production and
consumption so as to ensure sustainable development for future
generations; and in particular the emphasis that the draft document
attaches to vulnerable groups in society: especially, the empowerment of
women; the social safety net for the elderly; the protection of
indigenous groups as well as the drive to ensure access to universal
primary education and health care are all worthy ideals that the
international community must strive to realise through mobilisation of
the necessary resources.
But while these derivative issues may elicit broad consensus and
support. we are inclined to believe that there are differing views and
approaches in regard to the central theme of population growth and
appropriate demographic policies that the draft document advocates.
Spiraling population growth in the developing world will certainly
remain to be a cause of grave concern in as much as it continues to
outstrip economic growth. Family planning and the plethora of supportive
measures - public education on reproductive health, reduced maternal and
child mortality rates, higher expectation of life etc. - that the draft
document recommends will not however furnish a real and lasting panacea
to the problem at hand. The fact of the matter is that this approach is
skewed, focusing as it does on the various symptoms rather than the
fundamental malaise of underdevelopment .
In the case of Africa in particular, it is debatable whether
reduced population growth will mitigate its growing mariginalisation in
the global economic order and accelerate its development. Africa enjoys,
on the whole, considerable comparative advantages in terms of
territorial expanse and natural endowments. Its population density -
even taking into account current rates of fertility - is and will remain
low in relative terms for the foreseeable future. The appalling poverty
and deprivation that stalks the continent is not certainly due to
overpopulation and it will not be eradicated if family planning were to
be introduced through attractive palliatives and public education
programmes and practiced by 60-65% of the population (the target figure)
instead of the current rate of 10-15%. The scourge of ethnic conflicts,
massive Internal and external population displacement, and, widespread
deprivation will not be healed by the most prudent and comprehensive
demographic policy.
In the event, what is required is a much bolder and holistic
approach that addresses and tackles the real causes of underdevelopment.
Existing imbalances in the terms of international trade must be adjusted
to promote rapid and sustainable development in the countries that are
lagging behind and in which the economic gap is widening. Technological
transfer must be encouraged particularly in the critical productive
sectors rather than on few areas - such as those for producing generic
drugs - apparently selected because they promote the agenda of
demographic management. The effectiveness and scale of external
assistance must be increased substantially to extricate these countries
from perennial dependence and help them stand on their feet. We believe
that the donor community is uniquely placed to meet this challenge at
this opportune moment.
Furthermore, it is a matter of historical reality that population
stabilisation is likely to be achieved as a byproduct of rather than an
antecedent to overall development. Entrenched cultural and social
barriers to family planning can only be dispelled in proportion to
societal progress in all aspects of life. The various programmes
associated with family planning, and, especially the social safety nets
for the elderly, public education programmes for adolescents,
empowerment of women etc. cannot be implemented on a sustainable basis
from external funding. Internal development would be essential and
indeed a pre-requisite for an undertaking of this scale. In brief, the
answer does not lie in a compartmentalised and piecemeal approach but on
a comprehensive and innovative approach to the crucial issue of
development in the Third World.
Thank you