Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference adopts Plan of Action on Population and Poverty

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) -- The Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference concluded today with the adoption by consensus of a Plan of Action on Population and Poverty addressing population issues as a key contribution to reducing poverty in the region and meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people living on less than US$1 a day by the year 2015.

However, one country expressed strong reservations about two sections of the Plan of Action which relate to reproductive rights and reproductive health services, and adolescent reproductive health.

The 22-page Plan of Action puts forward strategic recommendations in 12 areas pertaining to poverty reduction: population, sustainable development and poverty; international migration; internal migration and urbanization; population ageing; gender equality, equity and empowerment of women; reproductive rights and reproductive health; adolescent reproductive health; HIV/AIDS; behavioural change communication (BCC) and information communication technology (ICT); data, research and training; partnerships; and resources.

The Plan of Action is aimed at Governments, civil society organizations and the international community. It intends to tackle the major challenges that exist in these various areas in a "concrete and action-oriented manner".

"Poverty remains high and persistent in many countries of the region despite the overall tangible progress made over the years," states the Plan of Action. "Population, development and poverty are closely interrelated.... Population policies must be an integral component of development policies and planning.... such policies must encompass the principle of voluntary and informed decision-making and choices, the preservation and protection of human rights including the matters related to reproductive rights and reproductive health services, as defined in the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD, in Cairo in 1994) Programme of Action".

In order to address the continuing problem of poverty in the region, the document urges Governments to "ensure that demographic and population factors are fully integrated into national, sectoral and local-level planning, in particular addressing the needs of the poor and the disadvantaged" and "emphasize human capital formation and infrastructural development.... paying special attention to inequalities and disparities in access to education, health, employment and micro-credit".

In the area of reproductive rights and reproductive health services, the Plan calls on member countries to "strengthen reproductive health policies and implement comprehensive integrated reproductive health care including family planning services, throughout the health care system.... focusing on the impoverished and other vulnerable groups".

In the area of HIV/AIDS, the Plan urges Governments to establish comprehensive surveillance systems, develop and implement national HIV/AIDS policies and action plans, establish national prevention programmes and integrate them into reproductive health programmes. The Plan also recommends Governments to support community-based home-care initiatives, and help families and communities to address the economic and psychosocial needs of AIDS-affected children, including orphans.

The cost of population programmes is significant. For the year 2000, their cost was estimated at $11 billion for the ESCAP region. Because financial constraints remain a major obstacle to implementation of population goals, the Plan urges developed countries to make concrete efforts towards reaching the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product (GNP) as Official Development Assistance to developing countries and 0.15 to 0.2 per cent of GNP to least developed countries, as reconfirmed at the Third United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries in 2001.

The Plan of Action is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future agenda of population and development policies and programmes in the Asian and Pacific region. Held once every 10 years, the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference was attended by nearly 600 participants, including some 30 Ministers from around 40 member countries.

In his closing statement, Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP said he was impressed "with the discussions that took place and with the adoption of the far-reaching Plan of Action," that will guide the work of UNESCAP and its member countries in the coming decade.

The Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference, held at the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok from 11 to 17 December, was co-organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

For further information, please contact:
Mr. David Lazarus, Chief, United Nations Information Services, UNESCAP, United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: (+66) 02 288 1864-9; Fax: (66+2) 28810523; Email: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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