GREATER FINANCIAL COMMITMENT NEEDED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CAIRO GOALS, GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S SPECIAL SESSION TOLD
Press Release
GA/9574
GREATER FINANCIAL COMMITMENT NEEDED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CAIRO GOALS, GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S SPECIAL SESSION TOLD
19990701 Twenty-one Speakers Address Session Reviewing Programme of Action Adopted by 1994 Population and Development ConferenceThe General Assembly's twenty-first special session, charged with reviewing implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994), heard 21 speakers this morning, with many of them stressing the need for a greater financial commitment from the international community, if the goals of Cairo were to be implemented.
The Vice-President of the Gambia, Isatou Njie-Saidy, said her country's development and resources were burdened by its population growth rate, which was among the highest in the world. While her country had achieved some success in areas of reduced fertility rates and increased life expectancy, funding gaps must still be filled for continued progress. To do that, for the sake of the children of today and the generations not yet born, greater political and financial commitments were needed from the international community.
Bolivia's Minister of Sustainable Development and Planning, Erick Reyes- Villa, said developing countries had contributed more than they had pledged at Cairo to population and development programmes. Industrialized countries, which were strategic partners for world development, must not evade their responsibility to fulfil the technical and financial support commitments made in the Cairo Programme of Action.
Luxembourg's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lydie Err, said her Government had regularly increased its official development assistance, which would reach the level of 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product by the year 2000. She commended the commitment of United Nations bodies to carrying out the objectives of the series of world conferences. Their tireless efforts had been key in transforming public awareness.
The Director of the Department of United Nations Affairs in the Netherland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Toine Van Dongen, called on governments to step up their efforts and mainstream population policies. They should make available the necessary funding and involve society,
General Assembly Plenary - 1a - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
including non-governmental organizations, to enhance implementation of those programmes at the grass-roots level. Without external aid, however, the population policies of developing countries inevitably fall short of the mark. Donors should drastically increase their support for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Armenia's representative said his country had taken steps to integrate population concerns into its development strategy and achieved some success, including declines in maternal and infant mortality rates. Obstacles existed, however, primarily due to limited financial resources. Unemployment and poverty levels remained high, and his Government often lacked the funds to implement social guarantees that were stipulated in the Constitution.
Statements were also made this morning by Philip Ruddock, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs of Australia; Manohar Ramsaran, Minister of Social and Community Development of Trinidad and Tobago; U Saw Tun, Minister for Immigration and Population of Myanmar; Osman Durmus, Minister of Health of Turkey; Felipe Medalla, Secretary for Social Economic Planning of the Philippines; Gaston Browne, Minister of Planning, Implementation and Public Service Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda; Antonio-Fernando Nve Ngu, Minister of Planning of Equatorial Guinea; and L.V. Ketso, Minister for Finance and Development Planning of Lesotho.
In addition, the Assembly was addressed by Raul Taladrid, Vice-Minister for Foreign Investment and External Cooperation of Cuba; Rossana de Hegel, Under-Secretary for Planning of Guatemala; Simona Marinescu, Secretary of State, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Romania; Kithong Vongsay, Vice-President, State Planning Committee of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; and Albert Agossou, Senior Adviser of Benin. The representatives of Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Nigeria also spoke.
The Assembly will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its review and appraisal of the implementation of the Cairo Programme of Action.
Assembly Work Programme
The General Assembly met this morning to continue its twenty-first special session, which has been convened to conduct an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) (Cairo, 1994). (For background, see Press Release GA/9568-POP/731 issued 29 June.)
Statements
ISATOU NJIE-SAIDY, Vice-President and Secretary of State for Health, Social Welfare and Women's Issues of the Gambia: Developing and least developed countries require additional resources. The international community must ensure full and consistent support, including financial and technical assistance, for implementing the Cairo action plan at the national, subregional and regional levels, as part of a coordinated approach to population. Africa has the highest growth rate since the 1950s. At current rates, its population is expected to reach 1.6 billion in the year 2025. The Gambia's growth rate of 4.2 per cent per year is one of the highest in the world, and greatly burdens the nation's resources and development programme. The Government has put in place policies and programmes to reduce the growth rate and provide services to accommodate the increased population, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Another important issue is the persistently high net migration being experienced by the country -- the result of expanded destabilizing influences and political and security upheavals. Government plans to conduct a comprehensive migration study with a view to easing the problems caused by it.
The Gambia has registered some successes despite constraints, including in the areas of gender equity, equality and reduced fertility rates and increased life expectancy. A National Population Policy has been revised and an action plan prepared, with participation from all sectors of the society. Forty per cent of the national budget is allocated to the development of the social sectors: health; population; education; and poverty alleviation. The Government has entered a successful partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank and the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
Still, funding gaps must be filled if the Cairo plan of action is to be implemented. Greater political and financial commitments are needed from the international community, as are the transfer of appropriate technology and data from developed to developing countries, with full participation from grass-roots and non-governmental organizations. Posterity will judge how successful we have been in building infrastructure to ensure a bright future for the children of today and the generations not yet born.
General Assembly Plenary - 3 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
PHILIP RUDDOCK, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Reconciliation of Australia: Australia is strongly supportive of the principles and Programme of Action on population and development that was adopted at the Cairo Conference and did not wish to see those principles altered at the special session. The Government of Australia has one of the world's healthiest populations. The indigenous population, however, still has a poorer health profile than other Australians. The Government, therefore, has quadrupled its contribution to primary health-care programmes for indigenous Australians over the past decade. Also, Australia has an overseas aid programme aimed at assisting developing countries in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development.
The Government of Australia believes that the rights and dignities of migrants and refugees must be protected, and it recently acted on this belief by providing accommodation, food and clothing, in addition to several social and health services, to approximately 4,000 displaced Kosovars in Australia. Also, Australia recognizes the challenges and financial difficulties that countries in East Asia face because of the recent financial crisis there and commend the governments of those countries that have continued to place priority on health and education. As a complement to Australia's support for broader multilateral efforts for international financial reform, the Government continues to mobilize financial and social aid for those countries.
The international community must place emphasis on the reduction of maternal mortality; achieving gender equity; developing coordinated, integrated and balanced approaches to health delivery; and strengthening partnerships with civil society and the private sector so that the Cairo vision can be realized. Australia remains committed to supporting quality programmes in the area of population and development. We reaffirm the Cairo principles and look to the special session to lay the groundwork for bringing the Cairo goals closer to reality.
MANOHAR RAMSARAN, Minister of Social and Community Development of Trinidad and Tobago: On the eve of a new millennium, the foresight of the Cairo forum with its 20-year Programme of Action to promote sustainable human- centred development and a stable world population is to be applauded. Trinidad and Tobago is committed to development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The economy of the twin island State experienced a sharp contraction during the 1980s, as international oil prices declined. This, in combination with the effects of structural adjustments and a lack of sustainable growth in critical areas, gave rise to deterioration in the social sector. In this environment, the role of population in national development had to be examined, and the need for an integrated approach towards development was recognized. It is now known
General Assembly Plenary - 4 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
that educating children in gender awareness is a crucial step to eliminating discrimination against women, and the Government seeks to form more partnerships with NGOs to develop a more aggressive educational thrust. Also, while abortion is still legally restricted, the reproductive rights of citizens are assured and reproductive health care has been integrated into primary health-care settings.
The current population of Trinidad and Tobago is approximately 1.2 million. A population not exceeding 1.5 million by the year 2010 is set to be achieved, with the fertility rate declining for the past three decades. Even so, there is a pressing need to provide social services for the poor and unemployed, particularly in the areas of health and education. The Government's challenge is to improve and expand these services while pursuing revenue-generating sustainable development projects. The eradication of poverty and inequity are high on the Government's agenda, in accordance with the Cairo Programme of Action for securing the future of Trinidad and Tobago in a globalizing economy. Population and development is not about counting people, it is about making people count.
U SAW TUN, Minister for Immigration and Population of Myanmar: It has been estimated that the world's population will exceed 6 billion in the year 1999. With an increase in population, the demand for basic human needs, such as food, clothing and shelter, will increase accordingly. It is essential that the international community address this global problem through concrete and systematic measures in a timely manner.
In the national context, Myanmar's main economic objective is to develop agriculture as the base and, at the same time, to pursue development throughout the other sectors of the economy. The State is encouraging the use of all available land to promote the agriculture sector. Hence, food security is not an issue for Myanmar.
With regard to family planning needs, Myanmar considers birth spacing as most appropriate for the country. This programme will also enhance the quality of life and raise the standard of living. Also, HIV/AIDS has now spread worldwide, and Myanmar has instituted a multi-faceted programme to combat this fatal disease, including education and information campaigns to raise awareness and emphasize behaviourial changes. The Government has laid down necessary health policies and programmes to control the disease, and instances of HIV/AIDS remain relatively low.
Our Government is in the process of building a society where peace and prosperity prevail, where labour rights and the rights of women and children are given all encouragement and promotion. The State has paid much attention to national reconsolidation and firmly believes that peace and development are two sides of a coin. As far as the problem of migration, including irregular migration, is concerned, we realize that it has both positive and negative
General Assembly Plenary - 5 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
dimensions and should be addressed in a comprehensive and balanced manner. At the same time, every country has the sovereign right to safeguard its borders and enhance its own migration/immigration laws.
OSMAN DURMUS, Minister of Health of Turkey: The reciprocal cause-and- effect relationships between development and population are duly appreciated in the Turkish development plans. There is a strong parallelism between Turkeys's development plans and the statements of the international community. The Turkish Government has shown its commitment to the goals and implementation of the Cairo Programme of Action by creating new institutional mechanisms including the Multi-disciplinary National AIDS Commission, the Family Planning Advisory Board, and the Cairo Follow-up Committee.
Turkey is ready to share its experiences with the international community, especially with its geographic and cultural neighbours, and is developing institutional arrangements to facilitate visits by members of the international community. Under these arrangements, members of this community will have an opportunity to come together, discuss population matters and learn from each other. Unfortunately, global trends do not favour strong and stable families. Defined within each national heritage, policies for strong and stable families should be supported. In doing so, recognition of the linkage between population, development and human rights is an essential issue.
The rights of every member of the family -- that is, adolescents, parents, children and the elderly -- should be protected. The family is the basic constituent of a society and every effort should be undertaken to protect its integrity. There is broader room for the contributions of civil societies into population issues. Implementing population policies sometimes requires innovative and flexible approaches where civil societies, especially NGOs, have a comparative advantage over governmental bureaucracy. They should be equipped with the necessary mechanisms to improve grass-roots participation and let the voices of the people be heard.
FELIPE M. MEDALLA, Secretary of Socio-economic Planning of the Philippines: The Philippine Population Programme underwent a drastic paradigm shift, from the divisive context of demographic targeting towards a recognition that population is part of the human development agenda. As a result, the programme was considered a necessary investment in people, within the overall context of improving the quality of life. Institutionally, this shift also highlighted the important role of civil society in the implementation of the population programme and has led to viable partnerships with NGOs.
Recently, the Philippine Government has further refined its Population Programme within the context of a strengthened poverty-reduction programme. The new Population Programme aims to: help couples/parents achieve their desired fertility goals within the context of responsible parenthood; prevent teenage
General Assembly Plenary - 6 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
pregnancies and early marriage; improve the health of individuals by contributing to the further reduction of infant, maternal and early child mortality; and promote policies that will help the Government achieve a favourable balance between population distribution and economic activities.
In support of the Population Programme, the Philippine Government also established two other programmes to further articulate the Cairo Programme of Action. A Reproductive Health Programme spelled out the 10 key elements of the reproductive health-service package, which includes, among others: family planning; maternal health care; adolescent and male reproductive health; prevention and treatment of tract infections, including sexually transmitted diseases; and prevention of violence against women. On the other hand, a Women's Health and Development Programme aims to integrate the women's perspective in all health programmes and services at all levels of the health- care delivery system.
GASTON BROWNE, Minister of Planning, Implementation and Public Service Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda: My Government has implemented effective policies and programmes to resolve a number of the socio-economic and demographic imbalances that exist within the State. Correcting these imbalances has proven costly and unsustainable, in some cases because of the limited resources available to our country. The problem is compounded by the continued emigration of our trained and skilled human resources and the influx of immigrants from the neighbouring Caribbean countries, which has impeded our ability to properly provide for the housing, economic, educational and health needs of our inhabitants.
My Government is especially committed to the empowerment of the socially and economically challenged. We have improved the status of women at the national level by promoting them into senior positions within the public sector. In the area of violence against women, legislation has been enacted to give greater protection to women. There is much to be done, but it must be clearly understood that no country by itself can achieve all of the Cairo objectives. Countries must work cohesively and collaboratively with each other and give support to the most vulnerable States. The cooperation of the developed countries is required to assist small vulnerable States to keep abreast with changes, so that we are not left behind.
Due to financial constraints, governments are finding it increasingly difficult to provide adequate resources, simultaneously, for infrastructure and the alleviation of poverty. Hence, there is the risk of the poor becoming even poorer in these countries. The distribution of wealth, the vulnerability of States, the evidence of poverty, and the indebtedness of these countries should be given more emphasis in determining their eligibility as recipients of aid. I call on the more developed countries to continue to lend financial and technical cooperation to the vulnerable States.
General Assembly Plenary - 7 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
ERICK REYES-VILLA, Minister of Sustainable Development and Planning of Bolivia: The principle that underlies all of Bolivia's actions in its fight against poverty is that of sustainable development within the framework of human rights. The importance that the Government gives to population is reflected in the General Economic and Social Development Plan, in which population, gender, youth and ethnic affairs are cross-cutting themes, and reproductive health is stressed as a government policy. The objectives and policies of the Plan are: the facilitation of migratory flows; the improvement of marginal urban areas; the rationalization of the use and management of natural resources; gender equity; and reproductive health for all.
Bolivia's sexual and reproductive health programme focuses on sexuality and reproduction in a holistic manner, through education and primary health services, with a gender perspective, endeavouring to guarantee information, quality care and equitable access to all men and women. Important progress has also been made in the legal and normative aspect of gender equity, having passed, for example, the law on domestic violence and corresponding procedural rules, and enacted a Supreme Decree on Equal Opportunity for Men and Women. These advances have been possible, thanks to the political will of the Government, the participation of civil society and the cooperation of international organizations and donors.
It is necessary to strengthen the alliance between the developing countries, whose contribution to population and development programmes has been even greater than what they committed to in Cairo, and the industrialized countries as strategic partners for world development. These countries must not elude their responsibility to fulfil the technical and financial support commitments made to the Programme of Action. Bolivia, for its part, will remain firm in its commitment to strengthen population and development programmes, the results of which are indispensable for breaking the circle of poverty.
ANTONIO-FERNANDO NVE NGU, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Equatorial Guinea: Holding the Assembly's special session at the threshold of the third millennium proves how important the international community considers the questions of population and development. My Government has taken a number of actions, on a priority basis, connected with the Cairo Programme of Action. In 1997, it organized a national economic conference with the aim of building capacity for the effective management and administration of resources, to improve the quality of life for the entire population in a lasting fashion. The approach taken by that conference dovetailed with the recommendations of the Cairo Conference, regarding use and access to high quality reproductive health services for all, increasing awareness among community leaders on population and development issues, and also promoting basic education for all.
Forty per cent of public expenditure is earmarked for the social sector. In health, policy objectives for the year 2003 include: reducing infant mortality by 50 per cent; reducing maternal mortality from four per thousand
General Assembly Plenary - 8 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
to two per thousand; a 95 per cent increase in vaccination coverage; and developing and executing a strategic national plan to combat HIV/AIDS. Another priority is to increase awareness of and to address the health and problems of young people, who are estimated at 23.3 per cent of the population.
The Government is seeking to ensure that population growth does not place undue pressure on the environment and does not lead to increased poverty. It emphasizes family life in education, is expanding employment prospects for women, and incorporating population into government strategy. The women of Equatorial Guinea are involved in these efforts. They were active participants in the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995), and in the follow-up to that and to the Cairo Conference. Partnerships with the UNFPA and other United Nations bodies, as well as with other development partners and friendly countries, have been essential in improving the population's well-being.
L.V. KETSO, Minister for Finance and for Development Planning of Lesotho: There has been measurable worldwide progress in implementing the Cairo Programme of Action, but during the five years of implementation, a decline in official development assistance (ODA), along with political crises, has resulted in instability in a number of world regions. Programmes and services have been disrupted and unemployment has increased the level of poverty. On the other hand, the high pace of globalization has executed increased pressure to maintain the universal ethical standards that provide people with a variety of affordable choices. Expenditure patterns have, therefore, been rearranged, with a priority on population programmes, health and education, but economic difficulties dictate otherwise.
Lesotho has attended to population issues since the early 1970s and after 1994 the national population policy was revised, in response to emerging national demographic concerns, in accordance with the Cairo Programme of Action. The Lesotho Safe Motherhood Initiative of 1993 has been aimed at reducing infant, child and maternal mortalities. However, Lesotho still faces challenges in the area of population and development, primarily the pro- natalist socio-cultural environment in which population programmes must be implemented. A socio-cultural study has been undertaken to identify issues that can be addressed in the formal education system of the country. Being politically committed to the long-term value of population programmes, Lesotho is intensifying efforts to accelerate the Cairo Programme of Action, which must be done in a number of ways.
Population variables need to be more intensively integrated into the development process by giving planners and decision makers a better understanding of the relationship between such factors as poverty, gender inequity and education. The massive interlinkages must be addressed at the international level in such areas as stimulating direct investment, reducing debt burdens and ensuring that structural adjustments are responsive to
General Assembly Plenary - 9 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
social, economic and environmental concerns. In addition, women's rights must be affirmed as human rights calling for a serious move towards the eradication of gender disparities in all aspects of life.
Ultimately, emphasis must be placed on: increasing efforts to mobilize resources for population programmes at both national and international levels; strengthening partnerships; and strengthening recognition that government leadership and commitment are as important as resources.
RAUL TALADRID SUAREZ, Vice-Minister, Ministry for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation of Cuba: In socio-economic terms, the last few years have been characterized by three main aspects -- a growing inequality in the distribution of wealth, an increase in unemployment, and an increase in poverty. The people of the third world have the right to develop their economies and, in line with their interests and development priorities, to adopt population policies suitable to their realities.
Back in 1959, Cuba adopted a comprehensive concept of development which foresees the interrelation of economic and social aspects for the benefit of the whole population. Among the measures taken were: primary health care with the family doctor and nurse programme; the incorporation of women into society, not only as beneficiaries, but also as active participants in the development process; an extensive programme on sex education; and a social security and assistance policy that leaves no social group helpless. These and other actions have enabled Cuba to achieve indisputable progress, even in the midst of a tightened, brutal blockade imposed by the United States, which has harshly restricted the development of our policies and programmes.
Despite achievements -- such as an infant mortality rate of 7.1 per 1,000 live births and a maternal mortality rate of 2.6 per 10,000 live births -- it is necessary to continue to address problems related to adolescents and the ageing, to eliminate sexist stereotypes that still persist in our society and that limit full gender equality in sexual and family life, and to work towards increasing preventive and educational actions related to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
ROSSANA DE HEGEL, Under-Secretary for External Cooperation, Secretariat for Planning and Programming, of Guatemala: Despite identifying with the Programme of Action's broad principles and objectives, Guatemala has reservations to it, in keeping with its Constitution, which obligates the State to guarantee and protect human life from the moment of its conception. This is a basic principle underlying the national population policy. It justifies Guatemala's support for the majority of sectoral objectives laid down in the Programme of Action, particularly in the areas of health, education and the role of the family -- which Guatemala understands to be the union between man and woman.
General Assembly Plenary - 10 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
Guatemala has made progress in fulfilling the guidelines emanating from the Programme of Action. The peace agreements had immediate effect, in that they normalized the living conditions of over 1 million internally displaced persons and resulted in the return of almost 42,500 refugees from Mexico. Guatemala is in the initial phase of its demographic transition. The rate of population increase is estimated at 2.6 per cent. While fertility rates show a downward trend, mortality rates are dropping faster. Some notable improvements include decreased malnutrition, a gradual increase in the use of contraceptives and natural methods for preventing pregnancy, and the doubling of the number of women of child-bearing age with access to secondary education.
The Constitution requires the State to guarantee the protection of the family in the social, economic and legal realms, and to promote its organization on the legal basis of marriage, equality of rights between spouses, responsible paternity and the right of all persons to decide freely on the number and spacing of their children. The Government respects the moral, cultural and ethical values of the society's people and institutions. The basic tenet of its population policy is that any activity must be in conformity with the laws in force and be based on the consent of all persons concerned. The beliefs of all citizens in Guatemala's multi-ethnic and multicultural society are respected. At the same time, the Government does not hamper the work of those who carry out activities seeking to modify population dynamics, working from a different perspective and in compliance with the national legal system.
LYDIE ERR, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg: Five years ago, it was clear that there was a need to strengthen the intergovernmental capacity for dealing with population and development issues, and that implementation of the Cairo Programme of Action should be reviewed regularly. Since then, in my country, the age structure has been affected by migration patterns, which is linked to the requirements of the labour market. More than 60 per cent of the population is between 20 and 64 years of age. The Government is now considering the maximum desirable population in a small country. The Government is guided by the principles of unconditional respect for human rights, and the right of couples to decide on the timing and spacing of births.
The freedom of family choice requires positive action from public authorities and society as a whole. Families must receive material and moral support from the Government. In recent years, Luxembourg has implemented a number of legislative acts related to population and development, including paid parental leave, and increases in family allowances and housing assistance. The spread of HIV/AIDS in Luxembourg has continued at the same rate since 1985. Seventy-eight per cent of infected persons are men, but women are infected at a younger age. The rate of full-blown AIDS has decreased since the introduction, in 1996, of new anti-viral medications.
General Assembly Plenary - 11 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
The Government has regularly increased its ODA. It will reach the targeted level of 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by the year 2000. The political will to provide resources for cooperation and action are supplemented by a law on development cooperation, which places priority on the education and the advancement of women. Many projects with the UNFPA and other United Nations partners are the concrete manifestation of that policy. Similarly, reproductive health projects are given priority. The commitment of United Nations bodies in carrying out the objectives of the series of world conferences is commendable. Their tireless efforts have been key in transforming public awareness.
SIMONA MARINESCU, Secretary of State for Social Protection, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, of Romania: On the eve of the twenty-first century, countries have to identify and review the successes, obstacles and future challenges of the implementation of the Cairo Programme of Action. In this context, the Romanian Government has taken steps to integrate population concerns into its development strategies and has adjusted its policies and institutions to reflect the broader emphasis on women's status and health. It has also focused its policies on population groups, with particular needs such as children, young people, women, the elderly and migrants. The new vision calls for greater equality between men and women, stronger partnerships between governments and the private sector, and greater involvement of local communities.
In Romania, the recent demographic trend has been influenced by complex economic and social factors. The base of the population pyramid shows a slow, but steady narrowing as a result of declining fertility and increasing mortality among adults. The changes in the age structure have also altered the "dependency burden" -- in other words, the share of the population that is likely to require financial support from the working age population.
Aware of the population ageing challenge, the Government is currently undertaking reforms of social insurance and social welfare systems. Reforms have been also undertaken in the field of public health, in order to improve the medical assistance system, paying special attention to women's health. The law on social health insurance is the legal basis of the new system of medical assistance in Romania, and the National House of Health Insurance has been put in place, which will manage the health insurance fund financed from the insured persons' contributions.
The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the World Bank and other international organizations, set up a family planning network, having as its objectives reproductive health, a decrease in the number of abortions, the wide-spread utilization of other contraceptive measures, as well as the decrease of maternal mortality. It should also be mentioned that a national multi-sectoral commission for AIDS has been created to examine the potential consequences of the spread of AIDS and to work out a national strategy.
General Assembly Plenary - 12 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
KITHONG VONGSAY, Vice-President of the State Planning Committee of the Lao People's Democratic Republic: The population is a focal point in the sustainable development of the world. However, integration of population policy into socio-economic development plans is a new challenge for my country. Therefore, education and training on this subject is an urgent need, not only for government officials, but also for all the people. The Government has consistently attached attention to population and development issues.
The Government has set the goals with firm determination to move out from the state of underdevelopment by the year 2020. A resolution taken during the sixth Party Congress in 1996 called for the active implementation of the population policies, to ensure population growth corresponded to the level of economic development. Gradually, an advanced, socially just society will be created. The Government, with the support of the UNFPA, is formulating a comprehensive health policy.
The Lao Government recognizes the importance of reproductive health and understands its concept. Great attention has also been paid to health care for mothers and children, and the national birth spacing policy was adopted in 1995. In order to prevent the growing risk of HIV/AIDS epidemics, a national committee for the control of AIDS has been established, to coordinate health promotion strategies on the prevention of the sexual transmission of HIV. For adolescent reproductive health, little effort have been made so far. Nevertheless, some strategies have been formulated to address the reproductive health needs of adolescents and young people. The Lao Government will also do its best to reduce women's and infant mortality.
The issues of gender equity and equality and empowerment of women are clearly guaranteed in the legal system. Women should not be disadvantaged in terms of legal rights, economic opportunity and access to government services. Also the socio-economic development plan (1996-2000) budget allocation to the social sector has been significantly increased compared with the previous plan. As regards the fifth five-year plan, which is under preparation for the years 2001 to 2005, the Government will see to it that the social sector -- in particular, projects and programmes dealing with population issues -- will be given higher priority. Also, the international community should pay special attention to the least developed countries, particularly those adversely affected by the current regional and financial crisis.
ALBERT AGOSSOU, Senior Adviser of Benin: By adopting, by consensus, the Cairo Programme of Action, States committed themselves to take the issue of population growth into account in the drafting of national development policies. Benin has taken a number of important steps to implement the recommendations contained in the Programme of Action. In May 1996, the Government adopted a Population Policy Declaration, which defines priority areas for action to improve the living conditions of our people. Its objectives are based on the
General Assembly Plenary - 13 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
interdependence of such issues as population, sustainable development, advancement of women, reproductive rights, and employment creation.
Benin has also developed a Minimum Social Programme designed to improve the quality of life of families in five areas -- health, education, food, development of people's ability to manage wealth, and diminishing the isolation of communities. In the area of reproductive health, activities were developed to ensure health care, including reproductive health and family planning. Infant and maternal mortality has been reduced. Results have been made possible thanks to the flexible and dynamic partnership of the Government with NGOs and civil society, as well as South-South cooperation.
An important point in the Programme of Action is the role of the family, which is the crux of society and contributed to development. Benin supports the new measures proposed by the preparatory committee in the final document to be adopted at the end of the session. There is a need for increased mobilization of international resources and the reduction of the crushing debt burden. International cooperation is also vital and needed to be increased and improved. I urge the international community to increase its financial contributions, as part of the continued implementation of the Cairo Programme of Action.
JOHN DE SARAM (Sri Lanka), delivering a statement on behalf of Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine: Sri Lanka's efforts to improve literacy, eliminate poverty, empower women and achieve economic progress have contributed to a reduction in the rate of population growth. Enlightened population policies and programmes have brought about significant improvements in the quality of life of the people, and significant fertility and mortality reductions.
The Government has made a paradigm shift -- from family planning to reproductive health. The New Population and Reproductive Health Policy addresses crucial issues, such as safe motherhood, induced abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, and the promotion of economic migration and urbanization and the control of their adverse effects.
The process of modernization imposes ever-increasing strains on youth. There is a need to promote responsible sexual behaviour. Among the measures currently being implemented are: the provision of adequate information and education on family life; the inclusion of sex education and education in ethical behaviour in school curricula; and the promotion of counselling on drug and substance abuse, human sexuality and psycho-social problems, especially through the National Youth Service Council and NGOs.
The New Population and Reproductive Health Policy also set out strategies and measures for the provision of adequate health care and welfare services to the elderly. That includes such measures as the provision of incentives to
General Assembly Plenary - 14 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
families to care for their elderly at home and the provision of special care units for the elderly within the State health-care system. Progress in Sri Lanka has been satisfactory, but a large number of issues remain. Given the magnitude of the challenges, the support of the international community would be of inestimable value.
MOVSES ABELIAN (Armenia): Armenia has expressed its commitment to the principles, objectives and recommendations of the Cairo Programme of Action, and taken steps to integrate population concerns into its development strategy. Following the Cairo Conference, a law on medical care and services had been adopted, containing provisions on reproductive rights, including the rights of young people. The national programme on reproductive health aims to improve access to family planning and sexual and reproductive health services, including access to safe abortion.
Since Cairo, Armenia has gained considerable experience -- on the governmental and non-governmental levels -- in addressing population and development concerns. Successes include considerable declines in maternal and infant mortality rates over the past five years. Obstacles remain, however, primarily related to limited financial resources. Unemployment and poverty levels are high. The Government often lacks the funds to implement social guarantees stipulated by the Constitution. Abortion is legal, yet many women continue to rely on self-induced abortions, due to financial restrictions, sometimes with serious consequences. Another concern is that couples still regard abortion as the main method of family planning.
In Armenia, the Cairo Conference gave impetus to the development of the NGO sector. Their number and activities have increased significantly in the past five years. There are now about 2,000 officially registered organizations, including about 50 women's NGOs. Some are uniting to better implement common goals, while others are moving from humanitarian assistance to population and development programmes. Several NGOs use innovative strategies and have, thus, become important in implementing programmes. These groups actively collaborate with the Government and make important contributions to policies and programmes on population and development. Armenia is committed to the Cairo Programme of Action and, as an integral part of the southern Caucasus region, believes that regional cooperation and initiatives will ensure regional stability.
ANUND NEEWOOR (Mauritius): Population cannot be examined in isolation, because a country's demography has a fundamental correlation to its economic, social and environmental conditions. As a small island developing country with limited resources, Mauritius faces inherent vulnerabilities. Population is a critical factor in achieving sustainable development, and its management has been a core issue of development strategy. Yet, in Mauritius, policies concerning population management conform to the fundamental rights and freedom
General Assembly Plenary - 15 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
of citizens, since development is held to be concerned with the population's well-being. Education and information, without coercion, are the tools of implementing population programmes.
Among the issues in the Cairo Programme of Action that Mauritius actively pursues are: the reduction of infant, child and mortality rates; education, especially for girls; and providing universal access to reproductive health services. Emerging issues include: the roles, rights, composition and structure of the family; employment of women and gender equity; HIV/AIDS; and care of the elderly. The challenge for Mauritius is to sustain past achievements, while responding to new challenges. Keeping the gross reproduction rate at replacement level for the next years will lead to a changed age structure for the population, and the ageing population will put increased pressure on the public health system.
The developing countries need urgent financial assistance to continue efforts in the fields of population and development. It is not realistic to assume that targets set by the Programme of Action can be met without external assistance. Marginalization is compounding the problem, at the same time that the scourge of HIV/AIDS is devastating populations and development. Countries spared so far need the assistance of all the international community to establish preventive programmes.
TOINE VAN DONGEN, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands: The Cairo Programme of Action is a remarkably balanced reflection of shared values, which, at the same time, respects cultural and religious differences. It addresses highly sensitive and personal aspects of human life, yet offers the potential to radically improve the quality of this life and to release new energies for development. The mandate of this special session is to assess the implementation of the Programme of Action -- not to renegotiate or negotiate a new one. We want to know about progress, and we want to know about problems, as both may provide clues towards more successful population policies.
The crucial element of the new development strategy is that there should be more investment in people. For them to fulfil their human potential, there must be investment in education, health, personal development and well-being. In meeting some of the most urgent challenges, all governments need to step up their efforts and mainstream and prioritize population policies. They should make available the necessary funding and involve society, including NGOs, to enhance implementation at the grass-roots level. Without external aid, the population policies of developing countries inevitably fall short of the mark. Donors should drastically increase their support for the UNFPA.
The role of civil society, including religion-based organizations, is of decisive importance. Non-governmental organizations are making immensely
General Assembly Plenary - 16 - Press Release GA/9574 Twenty-first Special Session 1 July 1999 4th Meeting (AM)
important contributions. In terms of education, advocacy, stimulating public debate, and insistence on a rights-based approach, they often lead the way and complement governmental activities. Many of them are highly valuable partners and deserve the full attention of the international community. In a few months' time, this planet will carry 6 billion passengers. In Cairo, the realization was born that the world needs to be serious about maximum seating capacity. The effects are beginning to show. Hopefully, in five years time, as we next meet to assess progress, we can certify that the effects are being consolidated.
AUSTIN PETER ETANOMARE OSIO (Nigeria): Nigeria has a population of over 100 million -- about 25 per cent of Africa's population. More than 65 per cent of the population is located in the rural areas. There has been an unacceptably high maternal mortality rate -- as many as 1,500 per 100,000 live births. The average fertility rate of six births per woman is among the highest in Africa. It is against this background -- and within the context of having had the international sanctions against Nigeria only recently lifted -- that one can fairly review the progress made in Nigeria on the Cairo Programme of Action.
Of paramount importance among the implementation measures is the reformulation of the Nigerian population policy, which is now in line with a rights-based, people-centred strategy. Other policies put in place deal with the elimination of female genital mutilation, adolescent health, legal reforms to eliminate domestic violence, raising the age of marriage to 18 years, and the development of a strategic framework for implementation of adolescent reproductive health. At present, integrated reproductive health-care centres have been provided in 10 of the 36 States, through UNFPA assistance.
Since Cairo, some institutional structures have also been developed to promote the principles and goals of the Conference. Among them is the establishment of a Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development at both national and regional levels. The Ministry of Health has been restructured by strengthening the development of community and population activities.
Approval has been transmitted by the Federal Ministry of Education for comprehensive sex education to be introduced into school curricula at all levels. With a population of more than 22 million young people, one of Nigeria's priorities is to find a workable solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy. The Government is vigorously addressing the concerns of young people, using a multi-sectoral approach to health education, skill development, and youth-friendly reproductive and sexual health care. Finally, with the lifting of sanctions and the establishment of democratic, civilian rule, Nigeria restates its commitment to the principles of Cairo.
* *** *