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2-3 May 2009
Parliamentarians from 21 countries revoice their commitment
to integrate population issues and revitalize reproductive
health and family planning agenda for the realization of the
International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD)
Plan of Action and the attainment of the Millennium Development
Goals (MDG) in the year 2015.
In the statement adopted at the 25th Asian Parliamentarians’
meeting on Population and Development, the parliamentarians
recognize that previous efforts for stabilizing population
and development have laid the groundwork for achieving sustainable
development and that achieving the ICPD targets requires gender
equality, universal access to comprehensive reproductive health.
In addition, the state of population on earth would determine
various issues, like global warming, clean water, food security,
urbanization that in turn defines the global security.
It stressed the need to continuously put priority on integrating
population issue and poverty reduction and seek solutions
for sustainable development, revitalize the RH and FP and
further advance comprehensive cooperation for global health
to reduce the impacts of infectious diseases: including securing
essential preventive commodity supplies, equipping health
workers with necessary knowledge and resources.
“We should recognize the significance of what we have
been able to achieve so far. Achieving a sustainable society
requires the stabilization of population. A rapid population
increase or decrease will inflict damage on society and impede
the achievement of MDGs and sustainable development,”
said Mr. Yasuo Fukuda Chairperson of the Asian Population
and Development Association (APDA), referring to some Asian
countries which face difficulties to fulfill social welfare
due to high birthrates and rapid population growth, while
some others: like Japan and Korea are facing the challenges
posed by population decrease and ageing.
The region has made progresses as seen from decreasing total
fertility rate, increasing life expectancy and achievement
of gender parity in school enrolment in 2005.
Investment in health and education have enabled increasing
number of women to together with men be part of a healthy,
productive and educated workforce that lift them out of poverty
and in turn boosts economic growth. “In all these economies
that experienced social and economic gains, access to sexual
and reproductive health services has been a strong facilitative
role,” explained Ms. Nobuko Horibe UNFPA Asia and the
Pacific regional Director.
Higher educational attainment rates, she said, have also contributed
to lowering fertility rates. It is estimated that there has
been a 25% reduction in population growth – or between
4.9 to 5.4 billion - in Asia and the Pacific region.
15 years after the ICPD shows the need to reinvigorate family
planning and to increase funding for RH education, youth friendly
services and access to a wide range of contraceptive methods.
“The ability to exercise this most basic human right
(reproductive and sexual health and rights) is vital for the
health and wellbeing of individuals, couples, families and
communities,” Regional Director of IPPF ESEAOR Dr. Raj
Karim explained.
Among the challenges include the unmet needs for FP is still
at 11% in the region, meaning that millions are still lacking
of FP service to plan their family size, the high maternal
mortality, the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as addressing barriers
to access services: including the shortage of skilled health
workers and fostering community involvement.
Dr. Zahidul Huque UNFPA Representative in Indonesia said that
access to FP, coupled with opportunities for women to pursue
education and empowerment can slash at least 25% of maternal
deaths. Community participation in ensuring pregnant women’s
timely access to high quality delivery care by skilled attendants
and emergency obstetric care can reduce maternal mortality
ratio by 74%.
And population issues: fertility, growth, ageing, climate
change, food security and clean water, among others should
remain as top development priority to ensure sustainability
of population and development efforts due to the earth’s
limited resources. “Population in real number is still
a grave concern as it can negate all development gains. Therefore
there is still a need for FP as population size and growth
remains a factor in parliamentary advocacy,” said Dr.
Pinit Kullavanijaya a parliamentarian from Thailand and AFPPD
Secretary General.
For further information please contact:
Maria Endah Hulupi
UNFPA Communications Officer: 0812 1115 116
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