UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
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| UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) |
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PREPCOM 11: SETTING PERSPECTIVES FOR CAIRO 1994 In both Geneva and Amman, the Secretary-General of the ICPD, Dr. Nafis Sadik, focused attention on the upcoming Prepcom 11, 10-21 May, 1993. At the European and Arab regional conferences held in preparation for the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the Conference's Secretary-General, Dr. Nafis Sadik, directed attention towards the Second session of the Preparatory Committee - Prepcom 11 - to be held 10-21 May, 1993 at U.N. headquarters in New York. The international community is now only 16 months away from the 1994 Cairo Conference which will address the fundamental population and development challenges of the next decade, under the overall theme of "population, sustained economic growth and sustainable development". Preparations for the Conference are well under way. Prepcom 11 will review the work accomplished since the First session of the ICPD Preparatory Committee, held two years ago, in March 1991. Only one further intergovernmental preparatory session is scheduled between Prepcom 11 and the 1994 Conference Prepcom 111, to be held in New York, from 11-21 April 1994. The magnitude .of the task ahead points to the need for Prepcom 11 to take all the necessary decisions during this two week session in May, with regard to the type of document the Conference will adopt, the precise issues to be addressed and the manner in which inter-related issues should be tackled. "This is the meeting which will decide the type of outcome which the Cairo Conference will produce; not just the format of the document but also its tone and to a large extent its content", said ICPD Executive Coordinator, Mr. Shankar Singh. Outlining her views at the recent European Population Conference, in Geneva, with regard to the type of document she hopes the Cairo Conference will adopt, ICPD SecretaryGeneral, Dr. Nafis Sadik stated, "It is my clear preference that this be a new, free standing document. Of course, it will be influenced by the experiences of the World Population Plan of Action and the 1984 Review and Appraisal. Equally, it must be reflective of the new perspectives of the international community on population issues, economic growth and sustainability. I would like to think it will represent a new international consensus on the full integration of population concerns into economic and social activity and sustainable development". Clearly, the key to the accomplishment of such an objective must be political will. Conference Preparations to be Focus of Debate Amid the proposed agenda items out lined for the organizational work of Prepcom 11 (see the details of the proposed work schedule on page 2), two specific items stand out as particularly important. Item 4: "Preparations for the Conference" will provide the opportunity for Prepcom participants (delegations, NGOs and others) to set out their perspectives on regional conferences, national level activities and the six expert group meetings. Consideration of this item is seen as particularly important, as it is here that delegations will be able to set out their national perspectives on the Conference. Participants at Prepcom 11 will be able to draw on a vast array of material to assist their work, ranging from the 162 recommendations provided by the six expert group meetings to the proposals stemming from the five regional conferences, as well as other relevant inputs to the preparatory process (see the list of key Prepcom 11 documents on page 2). The Secretary-General is also submitting a progress report on the status of the Conference preparations. As deliberations on the different perspectives proceed, remarks one ICPD Secretariat member, "we will be listening carefully to all the various views outlined at the Prepcom. We see it as providing essential basic guidance for our subsequent work on the main conference document". Addressing the Issues in the Right Framework. The second major item for Prepcom participants will be item 5: "Proposed Conceptual Framework of the Draft Recommendations of the Conference". A background document, outlining the Secretary-General's proposals for the final Cairo document, has been prepared on this topic. Dr. Sadik expressed the hope that discussions on this matter will achieve a great deal. "The first challenge for the May Prepcom session will be to reach agreement on a conceptual framework for the Conference's final document. It must set out very clear instructions for the Conference Secretariat so that it will be able to craft a substantive, meaningful and acceptable set of recommendations for consideration, negotiation and approval at the final preparatory session in April 1994". More NGO Involvement Expected Pursuant to ECOSOC's clear directions on the important role non-governmental organizations can play in the ICPD process, NGOs are expected to be well represented at Prepcom 11. As the ECOSOC resolution 1993/94 stipulates in its accreditation criteria, those NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status need only inform the ICPD Secretariat of their intentions to participate. All others must comply with criteria of relevance and competence. There is already ample evidence of NGOs determination to be involved in the ICPD process, just as it was reflected throughout UNCED in Rio. All non-consultative NGOs must have their applications for accreditation approved by Prepcom 11. Day One of the Prepcom 11 meeting - 10 May has been set out as the planned date for addressing this issue, NGOs which have sought accreditation before the 16 April deadline will have their requests considered at that time. Those received later will be considered as soon as feasible thereafter. The ICPD can also expect good representation by NGOs from developing countries - such is the message conveyed by the NGO Accreditation Section. This clearly shows that the UNCED experience was well received by NGOs from all regions. Deepening the level of cooperation between NGOs from developed and developing countries will be a key feature throughout the ICPD. After Prepcom 11, applications from NGOs will continue to be received. While some NGOs appear to be setting their sights on Prepcom 111, since it will be at that session that the final text will be negotiated, it will still be most important for NGOs to be active at Prepcom 11 to articulate their perspectives, as the framework for the final document is being negotiated. ECOSOC Puts Priority on Strong LDC Involvement For 47 countries, preparing for Prepcom 11 was made a little easier thanks to the ECOSOC's decision to provide each designated "least developing countries" with the necessary funds for one capital-based representative to take part in Prepcom 11. Funds for this assistance are coming from extra budgetary contributions provided by Finland, Sweden and Spain. The total cost: close to US $280,000 for this session alone. The availability of future funding will determine if this very important form of assistance will be available for Prepcom 111 and the conference in Cairo. Provisional Agenda 1. Election of officers. 2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. 3. Accreditation of NGOs to the Conference and its preparatory process. 4. Preparation for the Conference. 5. Proposed conceptual framework of the draft recommendations of the Conference. 6. Draft provisional rules of procedure for the Conference. 7. Draft provisional agenda for Prepcom 111. 8. Adoption of the report of the Preparatory Committee.