EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: PAMELA CHASEK, PH.D LANGSTON JAMES GOREE VI KIMO A FINAL REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT 16 December 1994 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT: YEAR-END UPDATE Even though the International Conference on Population and Development has come and gone, important work remains to be done to implement the Programme of Action adopted by the Conference on 13 September 1994. In this regard, the 49th United Nations General Assembly reviewed the outcome of the Conference and adopted two resolutions. The first resolution puts the institutional mechanisms in place for the implementation of the Programme of Action within the UN system, including revitalizing ECOSOCs Population Commission, which has been renamed the Commission on Population and Development. The second resolution requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report on international migration and development, which would include aspects related to the objectives and modalities of convening an international conference on this issue. This special year-end issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin will summarize the results of the General Assemblys consideration of the Confererence and highlight upcoming events. This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin is published as part of a series of year-end issues intended to summarize the current state of play in the various sustainable development conferences and negotiations reported on by the Bulletin in 1994. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ICPD The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) was created by United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Resolution 1989/91 in 1989. The Secretary- General of the Conference was Dr. Nafis Sadik, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). PREPCOM I The Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the Conference held its first substantive session in New York from 4-8 March 1991. This session defined the objectives and themes of the Conference, and proposed convening expert group meetings, regional population conferences and two additional sessions of the PrepCom. The PrepCom identified six clusters of priority issues: population, environment and development; population policies and programmes; population and women; family planning, health and family well-being; population growth and demographic structure; and population distribution and migration. These clusters were addressed by a series of expert group meetings organized by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis of the UN Secretariat, in consultation with UNFPA. Another source of input was a series of regional population conferences held in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. PREPCOM II The second session of the Preparatory Committee was held in New York from 10-21 May 1993. The overriding objective was to reach agreement on the form and substance of the final document to be adopted in Cairo. Delegates agreed on a set of issues to be discussed and elaborated a conceptual framework for the final document. There was support for adoption of a new, free-standing document to include action- oriented recommendations to effectively address population and development challenges into the next decade. Delegates also reached consensus on the inclusion of a number of issues in this document, including the relationship between population, environment, sustained economic growth and development; the empowerment of women; population ageing; health and mortality; population distribution, urbanization and internal migration; international migration; reproductive health and family planning; and partnership between governments and NGOs. PREPCOM III The third session of the Preparatory Committee was held in New York from 4-22 April 1994. Delegates tried to reach agreement on as much of the draft final Programme of Action as possible. During the first week of the PrepCom, delegates proposed amendments to the Secretariats draft text (A/CONF.171/PC/5). Two working groups, under the chairmanship of Nicolaas Biegman (Netherlands) and Lionel Hurst (Antigua and Barbuda) were responsible for negotiating the chapters in the draft Programme of Action. During the second and third weeks, the Working Group Chairs produced revised versions of each chapter for the consideration of delegations. During the last three days of the PrepCom, delegates considered each chapter one final time in Plenary. Although the Chair had hoped to remove as many of the remaining brackets as possible, some of the more divisive issues could not be resolved. Thus, the PrepCom adopted the final draft Programme of Action and sent the text, brackets and all, to the Conference in Cairo. PrepCom III made a number of concrete advances during its three-week session. These include: the focus shifted from family planning to overall reproductive health; population is placed in the overall development context; the chapter on empowerment of women (Chapter IV) is much stronger than anyone had ever expected, in fact it is considerably stronger than any of the draft language for the upcoming Womens Conference in Beijing; it contains reference to unsustainable patterns of production and consumption; and it recognizes the special needs and rights of indigenous people. Nevertheless, a number of key issues were left to be resolved in Cairo: the definition of family planning, reproductive and sexual health and rights, and safe motherhood; the reproductive and sexual health needs of adolescents; the preamble and principles (Chapters I and II); and the resource requirements needed for implementation. THE CAIRO CONFERENCE The International Conference on Population and Development met in Cairo, Egypt, from 5-13 September 1994. An estimated 20,000 government delegates, UN representatives, NGOs and media representatives descended on Cairo for the nine-day Conference and the parallel NGO Forum. During the course of the Conference, delegates reached agreement on the sixteen- chapter Programme of Action that sets out a series of recommended actions on population and development, including those that lead to sustained economic growth within the context of sustainable development, protection of the integrity of the family, combating HIV/AIDS, protecting the health of adolescents, and closing the gender gap in education. The negotiations were not easy and there were times when it appeared as though consensus would be impossible on such controversial issues as abortion, sexual and reproductive health, family reunification and the definition of the family. Yet, by the time the last chapter was adopted and the last speech was given, thousands of weary delegates, observers and NGOs agreed that in spite of some difficult moments, the Conference was a success and the Programme of Action, compared with earlier documents on population and development, represents a quantum leap. The Programme of Action includes: a shift from the previous emphasis on demography and population control to sustainable development and the recognition of the need for comprehensive reproductive health care and reproductive rights; strong language on the empowerment of women; reflection of different values and religious beliefs; reaffirmation of the central role of the family; and recognition of the needs of adolescents. The Programme of Action contains the following chapters: I. Preamble; II. Principles; III. Interrelationships between population, sustained economic growth and sustainable development; IV. Gender equality, equity and empowerment of women; V. The family, its roles, rights, composition and structure; VI. Population growth and structure; VII. Reproductive rights and reproductive health; VIII. Health, morbidity and mortality; IX. Population distribution, urbanization and internal migration; X. International migration; XI. Population, development and education; XII. Technology, research and development; XIII. National action; XIV. International cooperation; XV. Partnership with the non-governmental sector; and XVI. Follow-up to the Conference. GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS The General Assembly began consideration of Agenda Item 158 on the International Conference on Population and Development on Thursday, 17 November 1994. While the debate was held in the Plenary, the action on this item was taken in the Second Committee. Delegates had before them the report of the ICPD, as contained in documents A/CONF.171/13 and A/CONF.171/13/Add. 1. During the course of the two-day debate, delegates praised the ICPD for its comprehensive treatment of population and development, which represented the first time that an international conference on population has not focused on demographics. Furthermore, delegates expressed satisfaction with the advances made in the Programme of Action with regard to the role of NGOs, the empowerment of women, reproductive health, reproductive rights and treatment of unsafe abortion as a public health issue. While delegates stressed the need for effective follow-up to the Conference, the majority did not think that any new UN institutions should be established, but rather the UN Commission on Population, the Population Division of the UN Secretariat and UNFPA should be strengthened. The following is a summary of the two-day debate. ALGERIA: On behalf of the G-77 and China, Amb. Ramtane Lamamra said that the urgency of implementing the Cairo Programme of Action requires rapid mobilization of human and financial resources to carry out the actions agreed to by the international community. Given the enormous amount of work to be done, the developed countries must provide the resources they committed to in the Programme of Action to support the efforts of the developing countries. With regard to Conference follow-up, the G-77 and China believe that efforts must be made system-wide to enable better coordination among UN agencies and to harmonize procedures for the submission of reports to ECOSOC. The Secretariat should draw up a study on future institutional arrangements for this purpose. GERMANY: On behalf of the European Union, Gerhard Walter Henze said that the EU confirms its commitment to make substantial increases in its contribution to population programmes.The EU believes that ECOSOC should act as the principal monitoring mechanism. The mandate and the functioning of the Population Commission should be reviewed and adjusted to respond to the broader scope and integrated approach of the Cairo Programme of Action. There should be greater cooperation between the UN Population Fund and the Population Division of the UN Secretariat. The EU does not, however, see the need to establish a separate Executive Board for UNFPA. The EU also stressed the need to seek an appropriate consolidated reporting system for the follow-up of all UN conferences in related fields. EGYPT: The representative said that the Programmes of Action to be adopted in Copenhagen, Beijing and Istanbul must reflect what happened in Cairo. The Population Commission is the logical institution for follow-up and the focus of the Commission should shift from demography to the relationship between population and development. Its membership should be increased from 27 to 53 and it should meet annually instead of biannually. Egypt supports the establishment of a separate Executive Board for UNFPA. INDONESIA: Amb. Nugroho Wisnumurti said that there is a need to strengthen both the Population Commission and UNFPA. The Commissions mandate should be reviewed and strengthened. Likewise, UNFPA should have its own Executive Board and should be strengthened to increase its effectiveness as the operational arm of the United Nations in the field of population and development. FINLAND: On behalf of the Nordic countries, Elizabeth Rehn, Minister of Equality Affairs, said that the responsibility for overall policy guidance and coordination on population and development issues belongs to ECOSOC. There does not seem to be justification for a separate Executive Board for UNFPA. She stressed the need for greater inter-agency cooperation, a combined reporting and monitoring system for the follow-up of various conferences, and assurance of the effectiveness and predictability of financing for population and development activities. CHINA: Amb. Wang Xuexian said that no country should attach any conditions to its donations made in the field of population and development. The relevant agencies of the UN system should give top priority to the implementation of the Programme of Action and the UN agencies, especially UNFPA, should mobilize sufficient resources for its implementation. The Population Commission should examine on a regular basis the implementation of the Programme of Action. ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: On behalf of the member States of CARICOM and Suriname, Amb. Lionel Hurst said that the key to achieving the sustainable population growth goals recommended in the Programme of Action rests with the participation of women in every aspect of development. This begins with the education of the girl-child. He supported the proposal to establish an expert group with participants from WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP to move the concept of reproductive health from the discussion stage to the implementation stage. JAPAN: Amb. Shunji Maruyama said that Japan will extend its cooperation to developing countries in the amount of US$3 billion as part of its ODA programme for the period 1994- 2000. The Population Division should assume responsibility for overall coordination, while UNFPA should assume responsibility for implementing operational programmes. A substantially reinforced Population Commission should be the major expert level institution. It could be renamed the Commission on Population and Development. The current membership of 27 member States should be maintained. Japan is not convinced that UNFPA needs its own Executive Board CANADA: Amb. David Karsgaard noted the call for an international conference on migration and development. Canada could support such a conference if it builds on the ICPD consensus and there is broad agreement in advance on its objectives and process. ECOSOC should provide system- wide coordination in implementing the Programme of Action. While all UN bodies and related organizations should review their programmes and strategies, there should be no shifts in responsibilities until after a comprehensive review of their mandates. RUSSIAN FEDERATION: The representative said that the Programme of Action presupposes a more active role for the non-governmental sector. The sovereign rights of States to develop their own population policies must be taken into account. Some of the follow-up functions to the Population Commission. There will need to be an expansion of its mandate, its membership and its relationship with UNFPA, which should remain the center of UN activities on population. IRAN: Amb. Kamal Kharrazi said that without provision of substantial external resources on an assured basis, the chances of full and expeditious implementation of the Programme of Action are slim. He stressed the importance of strengthening the Population Commission and UNFPA, and coordination among all relevant organizations of the UN system. With regard to the establishment of an Executive Board for UNFPA, there is a need for a detailed report on the advantages and the financial costs. SAMOA: The representative said to enhance the implementation of the Cairo Programme of Action, overseas funding will be required to assist and supplement national resources. There is also a need for: an energized and revitalized UNFPA; strengthened UNFPA regional and subregional offices; and a separate UNFPA Executive Board. The role, composition and mandate of the UN Population Commission also must be reviewed. Just as we set out in Cairo to move the debate beyond family planning, we need to now act rapidly to move the commitments beyond words. ZIMBABWE: The representative said that people must be put at the center of development efforts. Zimbabwe has made some progress with regard to the empowerment of women since independence. However, there is still much maternal mortality related to unsafe abortions in developing countries. All efforts must be made to obviate the need to recourse to abortion. Without resources, the Programme of Action will remain a paper promise. The international community must provide new and additional financial resources to ensure adequate implementation. NEW ZEALAND: John McKinnon said that New Zealand recently announced a 20% increase in its 1995 contribution to UNFPA. At the international level, regular review by the General Assembly will be necessary and any reporting requirements by member States should be realistic. There is no need for new institutional or governance structures, however, there should be a comprehensive review of the roles of the Population Commission, the Population Division of the UN Secretariat and UNFPA at the 1995 ECOSOC meeting. UNFPA/UNDP Board should give more attention to governing UNFPA. AUSTRIA: Amb. Ernst Sucharipa said that Austria looks forward to the discussion at ECOSOC on the implications of the ICPD recommendations on UN operational activities for development. The Population Division and UNFPA should intensify their cooperation based on their respective comparative advantages. The Population Commission should examine its role in the implementation of the ICPD recommendations and report to ECOSOC. The establishment of an Executive Board for UNFPA deserves further consideration. ROMANIA: Ion C. Popescu from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Romania supports the principles and objectives of the Cairo Programme of Action and especially notes the right to development, the recognition of the problems of population and development in the countries with economies in transition, and the importance of partnership with the non-governmental sector. Romania increased her voluntary contribution to UNFPA for 1995 by 30%. Bucharest has offered to host a meeting of the UN/ECE member States on ICPD follow-up. MEXICO: Dr. Manuel Urbina, Secretary-General of the National Population Council, underlined the Conference conclusions on the subject of international migration. Mexico supports the convening of an international conference on migration. Mexico is also convinced that the Population Commission must be strengthened as it should serve as the intergovernmental agency for the follow-up of the Programme of Action. MALTA: Amb. Joseph Cassar said that the Programme of Action places the right emphases on the respect for religious and ethical values and for diverse cultural backgrounds. Apart from reservations that Malta still has with regard to the inadequate protection of the rights of the unborn child, the Programme of Action does offer a positive strategy that integrates population issues within the much wider context of development. BANGLADESH: The representative said that subregional and regional cooperation on population should be encouraged and strengthened. The special needs of the poor and vulnerable must be considered. The UN should continue to play an important role in the field of population and development. The existing mechanisms of the UN, particularly the Population Commission, should be reviewed and strengthened. The question of a separate executive board for UNFPA should also be considered. BRAZIL: Se'rgio Florencio noted that the follow-up to the ICPD involves giving the Population Commission the means to carry out the responsibility of intergovernmental monitoring of the Cairo recommendations and commitments. UNFPA should retain the overall responsibility for the operational implementation of international cooperation in the population field. While the establishment of a separate Executive Board for UNFPA does not have widespread support, at the very least one full session of the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board should be devoted to UNFPA affairs. INDIA: Manoranjan Bhakta, Member of Parliament, said that with regard to funding, the 20:20 proposal requires further discussion and more clarity before being adopted in any manner. He also stressed the need for access to newer technology and increased availability of resources. A separate Executive Board for UNFPA should only be considered if substantial resources become available. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Amb. Utula U. Samana said that success of the ICPD depends on establishment of realistic and practical strategies involving all sectors of the community at the national level and international support by donor agencies and multilateral organizations to national programmes. With regard to institutional follow-up to the Conference, Papua New Guinea is following closely the current debate on the mechanisms for implementation of the Programme of Action and the future Executive Board of UNFPA. FIJI: Amb. Manasa K. Seniloli said that the availability and early mobilization of financial resources will be a critical element underpinning the success of activities at the national level to breathe life into the Programme of Action. ECOSOC must play an integral role in broadly monitoring and coordinating the follow-up to Cairo. The General Assembly should also organize a regular review of the implementation of the Programme of Action. At the subregional level, Fiji will seek to engage its neighbors in a dialogue as to how the South Pacific Forum can better respond to the challenges posed by the Programme of Action. PANAMA: The representative said that the Cairo Programme of Action will only be a positive and dynamic force if governments, local communities, NGOs and the UN system translate the recommendations of the Conference into positive measures. Projects must be related to national values. REPUBLIC OF KOREA: The representative said that one of the most positive outcomes of the ICPD was recognition of the importance of empowering women. Other strong sections are the ones on reproductive health and rights and grassroots participation. The challenge now is implementation and developing countries need the support of the international community. POLAND: Dr. Jan Woroniecki said mechanisms should be examined to further expand the participation of NGOs in UNFPA- financed activities. The General Assembly and ECOSOC should carry out their respective responsibilities in providing system-wide coordination and guidance in the monitoring and implementation of the Programme of Action. Creation of a more coherent reporting system, taking into account the reporting procedures that are required in follow-up to other international conferences, should also be taken into consideration. NEPAL: The representative said that the Cairo Programme of Action gives the major burden of implementation to developing countries. The importance of institutional follow-up to the Conference cannot be over-emphasized. The role and support of the UN system in the implementation of the Programme is very important. They must make the best use of existing institutions without compromising effective follow-up. A separate Executive Board for UNFPA must be considered. AUSTRALIA: Richard Rowe said that ECOSOC must fulfill its role in coordination of the follow-up process among relevant UN agencies and call for active field-level support to assist countries in implementing the Programme of Action. On the question of a separate Executive Board for UNFPA, further consideration should be given to this matter at a later date. Australia has already trebled funding for population and development activities. Australia welcomes the proposal that an international conference on migration be convened by the UN, however, it should not overlap with the work of other international organizations like the OECD. ARGENTINA: The representative said there are four levels where the analysis should move forward: the General Assembly, ECOSOC, a functional commission of ECOSOC on population and development; and an Executive Board for UNFPA. This would provide follow-up from an institutional point of view. The Secretary-General should prepare a report on this, including budgetary implications and logistical support. Argentina supports holding a conference on international migration and development. TURKEY: The representative said that at the national level, governments should work to increase the consciousness of population issues by giving utmost attention to these issues in the schools. At the international level, governments must cooperate better to achieve common goals. PAKISTAN: Jan Ali Junejo said that only after a review of the respective roles of the bodies in the UN system dealing with population and development issues can an appropriate follow-up mechanism be identified. If the General Assembly is unable to consider the need for a separate Executive Board for UNFPA this year, the matter should be taken up by ECOSOC next year. PHILIPPINES: Ronald B. Allarey said that the Philippines has called for an international conference on migration and has presented a draft resolution on this matter to the G-77. The Philippines Government has forged a closer partnership with NGOs to implement the Cairo Programme of Action. Philippine laws reject abortion as a method of family planning. The Government has made available a choice of other family planning methods to lower the incidence of illegal and unsafe abortions. TUNISIA: The Tunisian Ambassador said that the success in solving population and development problems largely depends on strengthening cooperation among States, while bearing in mind the characteristics and priorities of each society. He stressed the need to ensure further financial resources to implement the Programme of Action. Given all of the ramifications of the immigration problem, Tunisia feels that this phenomenon must be controlled and the international community should convene an international conference on immigration before 1997. NIGERIA: The Nigerian Ambassador noted the need for respect of each nations sovereignty in the implementation of the Programme of Action. Gender equality and the empowerment of women are vital. The Programme of Action must be backed by financial support and countries must consider specific targets for assistance, especially to improve education, reduce infant and maternal mortality and provide health services. Increased coordination is needed among all relevant UN agencies. BENIN: Amb. Rene' Vale'ry Mongbe said that regarding the Population Commission, it is important to: draft new terms of reference on the mandate of the Commission; rename the Commission to include the development dimension; and raise the number of member states to 53. The issue of the UNFPA Executive Board cannot be dealt with at this session of the General Assembly since more study is needed. LIBYA: The representative said that the Programme of Action must be implemented with respect for national sovereignty and the religious values of the society. SOLOMON ISLANDS: The representative said that fourteen Pacific Island delegations participated in the Cairo Conference, compared to three at the Mexico City Conference. The adoption of the Port Vila Declaration on Population and Sustainable Development in 1993 was a firm commitment of the collective efforts of the Pacific Island States. He stressed the important role that the UNFPA regional office in Fiji plays in backstopping the population programmes in the South Pacific. MARSHALL ISLANDS: The representative said that while the roles, responsibilities and mandates of the UN organs dealing with population and development issues should be reviewed and strengthened, current realities must be reflected and implementation of the Programme of Action should not wait until after this review. The Population Commission should be restructured to be a Population and Development Commission. Expansion of its membership should be considered. The Marshall Islands supports establishment of an Executive Board for UNFPA. THAILAND: The representative said that the role of NGOs must be recognized as essential to the effective implementation of the Programme of Action. To reap the benefits of Cairo at the international level, political will must be backed by financial resources. The Population Commission should have an important role to play in monitoring and reviewing the Programme of Action in close collaboration with Population Division and UNFPA. UNITED STATES: The representative said that UN agencies and international financial institutions have a key leadership role in follow-up. Better coordination is needed among donors and it is crucial to develop a monitoring system to track progress toward implementing the Programme of Action. This monitoring system must be active rather than passive. Monitoring reports should be packaged to encourage use by policymakers and the monitoring system must not be overly burdensome to governments. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF KOREA: The representative said that: each country should give priority to the formulation of national population policies; peoples will should be respected; peace and security are prerequisites for implementation of the Programme of Action; mobilization of financial resources is needed at the national and international levels; and South-South cooperation could be conducive to implementation. Monitoring implementation at the national, regional and international levels is needed. UNFPA should play an enhanced role in this regard. CONGO: The delegate said that without the political will the valuable gains in Cairo will be lost. The time has come for the General Assembly to consider the possibility of giving UNFPA its own governing body. KAZAKHSTAN: Amb. Akmaral Kh. Arystanbekova said that each country has its own priorities as it faces its own unique challenges. The situation in Kazakhstan is aggravated by environmental degradation and the transition to a market economy. High rates of migration, increasing unemployment, problems in providing education and health care are also affecting the country. Technical and financial assistance from the international community is essential. SLOVAKIA: The representative said that the Programme of Action represents a diverse number of views. The implementation of the Programme of Action requires effective follow-up. ECOSOC can play a useful role in this regard. Slovakia will prepare a national Programme of Action in preparation for the WSSD and the Womens Conference. The advancement of the role of women is crucial to bringing about change. There is a need to re-evaluate national and international programmes to bring them in line with the Cairo Programme of Action. SENEGAL: The representative said that there is a need to raise further resources to assist African countries in implementing population programmes. The Population Commission must be strengthened. CHILE: The representative said that the Programme of Action highlighted the need for cultural co-existence. At the national level, various plans and programmes must be promoted. NGOs have an important role to play in this regard. Cairo opened a new phase in the consideration of population issues and now the initiatives must be taken to effectively implement the Programme of Action while respecting cultural rights. HOLY SEE: Archbishop Renato R. Martino noted that the Holy See is pleased to find in the chapeau of Chapter II that national implementation of the recommendations in the Programme of Action must respect various religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds, in conformity with universally recognized human rights. The Holy See had hoped for a more comprehensive treatment of the relationship between population and development in the document. He expressed support for language on strengthening the family, recognizing that women must be full and equal participants in development, reduction of child and maternal mortality, and international and internal migration. However, the Holy See cannot, does not and will not accept abortion as a component of reproductive health care. GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS The Second Committee of the 49th General Assembly considered two resolutions under Agenda Item 158, Report of the International Conference on Population and Development. Both resolutions were adopted by the Second Committee on 13 December 1994. The first resolution is entitled Report of the International Conference on Population and Development (A/C.2/49/L.67). The second is called International migration and development (A/C.2/49/L.74). Both are expected to be formally adopted by the General Assembly Plenary before Christmas. REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT In introducing the text of the draft resolution (A/C.2/49/L.48) on 29 November 1994, Algeria, on behalf of the G-77 and China, commented that it contained a long preamble recalling the decisions leading to the ICPD. The resolution was then divided into two sections: one on national, regional and international implementation of the Programme of Action; and one on institutional follow-up to the Conference. He drew particular attention to the operative paragraphs that would strengthen the Population Commission and change its name and mandate to include both population and development, and request ECOSOC to consider establishing a separate Executive Board for UNFPA. During the informal consultations on this resolution, under Vice-Chair Arjan Hamburger (Netherlands), a number of delegates pointed out that the resolution needed to include reference to the integrated approach taken during the ICPD, which recognizes the interrelationship among population, sustained economic growth and sustainable development. Other issues that delegates thought should be mentioned include: relationship of the ICPD to other upcoming international conferences (Social Summit, Womens Conference and Habitat II); the importance of South-South cooperation in the implementation of the Programme of Action; and temporary assistance for countries with economies in transition. Delegates also discussed the establishment of a separate Executive Board for UNFPA and the expansion of the mandate of the Population Commission as well as the frequency of its meetings and the number of members. As a result of these informal consultations on A/C.2/49/L.48, delegates reached agreement on a revised draft resolution, which was submitted by the Vice-Chair for adoption by the Second Committee on 13 December 1994. The Second Committee adopted this resolution (A/C.2/49/L.67) by consensus and sent it to the General Assembly Plenary for formal adoption. After a lengthy preambular section that recalls the resolutions leading up to the ICPD and notes the importance of the outcome of the Conference, the resolution endorses the ICPD Programme of Action. With regard to national implementation, the resolution calls on all governments to commit themselves at the highest possible level to achieving the goals of the Programme of Action and make additional contributions for implementation. Governments, NGOs and the UN system are called on to give the widest possible dissemination to the Programme of Action. At the subregional and regional levels, relevant organizations, commissions and development banks are invited to examine the results of the Conference within their specific mandates. At the international level, the international community is called upon to provide, both bilaterally and multilaterally, adequate and substantial international support and assistance for population and development activities. The resolution also emphasizes the need to maintain and enhance partnerships with NGOs and South-South cooperation. A number of paragraphs in the resolution address financial resources. Paragraph 13 calls on the developed countries to complement the national financial efforts of developing countries on population and development and intensify their efforts to transfer new and additional resources to developing countries, in accordance with the Programme of Action. Paragraph 14 calls for temporary population and development assistance to countries with economies in transition. Paragraph 15 calls for the early identification and allocation of financial resources and paragraph 16 calls for exchange of information between the various bodies of the UN system and the international financial institutions to maximize the availability of resources and their most effective utilization. Paragraph 17 invites the Secretary- General to ensure that adequate resources are provided for Conference follow-up activities by the UN Secretariat in 1995 and paragraph 18 requests the Secretary-General to prepare periodic reports for ECOSOC on the flow of financial resources for assisting implementation of the Programme of Action. On the institutional side, the resolution outlines a three- tiered intergovernmental mechanism that will play the primary role in the follow-up of the implementation of the Programme of Action: the General Assembly will organize a regular review of implementation; ECOSOC will provide system-wide coordination and guidance in monitoring implementation; and the revitalized Population Commission will monitor, review and assess the implementation at the national, regional and international levels and advise ECOSOC thereon. The Population Commission will be renamed the Commission on Population and Development and will meet on an annual basis beginning in 1996. At its substantive session in 1995, ECOSOC should: review the Commissions terms of reference and mandate to bring these fully into line with this resolution; consider the composition of the Commission; consider the establishment of a separate executive board for UNFPA; consider recommendations on secretariat support and coordination arrangements for the UN system; and consider recommendations on inter-agency coordination and reporting procedures Finally, the governing body of the UN Population Fund is invited to oversee the response of the Fund to the needs of countries in strengthening population and development programmes. The programmes of the UN system and regional commissions and funds are called upon to provide their full support to implementation of the Programme of Action at the field level. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT In introducing the text of draft resolution A/C.2/49/L.47, United Nations conference on international migration and development, on 29 November 1994, Algeria, on behalf of the G-77 and China, noted that the discussion on this issue took place in Cairo within the context of Chapter X (International Migration) of the Programme of Action. In Cairo there was broad support for convening a conference on international migration and development and in the Plenary debate at the General Assembly this commitment was renewed by a large number of countries. The draft called for convening this conference in 1997. In spite of the support for convening such a conference, after informal consultations the Second Committee agreed to postpone any decision for another year. This was based largely on the fact that there were draft resolutions before the Second Committee calling for convening multiple conferences, including a conference on South-South cooperation and a conference on public admininistration and development. Due, in part, to the large number of international conferences already on the over-burdened conference calendar, delegates agreed to postpone consideration of these conferences. Thus, the revised draft resolution (A/C.2/49/L.74) submitted by the Vice-Chair, Arjen Hamburger, on the basis of informal consultations, requests the Secretary-General to prepare, in consultation with States and relevant international and regional organizations, a report on international migration and development to be submitted to ECOSOC at its substantive session in 1995. This report would include aspects relating to objectives and modalities for convening a UN conference on international migration and development. The resolution also requests the Secretary-General, on the basis of ECOSOCs discussion, to report on the subject to the General Assembly at its 50th session for a decision on the convening of such a conference. THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN 1995 UN COMMISSION ON POPULATION: The 28th meeting of the UN Population Commission is scheduled for 21 February - 2 March 1995 in New York. The Commission was renamed the UN Commission on Population and Development by the 49th session of the General Assembly to emphasize the new and comprehensive approach to population and development embodied in the Cairo Programme of Action. The General Assembly has requested the Commission to review, within its area of competence, the Programme of Action and its implications and to transmit its views to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session in 1995. ECOSOC: The 1995 organizational session of the Economic and Social Council will meet in New York from 7-10 February 1995. The substantive session is scheduled from 26 June - 28 July 1995 in Geneva. The General Assembly has asked ECOSOC to address a number of issues related to the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action, including: Review the terms of reference and mandate of the Population Commission to more adequately reflect the new and comprehensive approach to population and development embodied in the Programme of Action; Consider the composition of the revitalized Population Commission; Consider the establishment of a separate executive board for UNFPA; Consider recommendations to the Secretary-General concerning secretariat support and coordination arrangements for the UN system; Consider recommendations to the Secretary-General regarding the establishment of an appropriate inter-agency coordination, collaboration and harmonization mechanisms for the implementation of the Programme of Action; Review the reporting procedures within the UN system regarding population and development issues; and Review the Secretariats report on international migration and development and determine if a conference should be held on this subject. OTHER ICPD-FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES: The Population Reference Bureau provides an updated monthly calendar of global stewardship events that relate to population and religion, environment, foreign policy and other global issues. It is available on-line on the APC computer networks in the conference . For more information, contact Susan Kalish or Jessica Teisch by e-mail at . This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin) is written and edited by Pamela Chasek and Langston James Goree VI Kimo (kimo@iisd.org). Funding for this issue of the Bulletin has been provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (iisd@web.apc.org), the Government of Denmark, the World Bank and the Pew Charitable Trusts through the Pew Global Stewardship Initiative. The authors can be contacted at their electronic mail addresses and by phone and fax at +1-212-888-2737. 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