Press Release
Developing World, European Union Recommit To Help Cairo Consensus Boost Millennium Development Goals
22 March 2004
UNITED NATIONS, New York – Developing countries and the European Union have expressed strong recommitments to the principles, objectives and goals of the Programme of Action of the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
Two groups of States made those statements on behalf of some 160 countries as the 22-26 March session of the Commission on Population and Development opened at United Nations Headquarters on Monday. The Commission is discussing progress made in implementing the Cairo Programme of Action, mid-way through its 20-year course. Several other delegations individually expressed similar views.
Apart from reaffirming the Cairo Programme, the developing nations seek to “ensure that the commitments made in Cairo are translated into actions and also contribute significantly to the Millennium Development Goals,” said Sultan Al-Mahmoud, Qatar’s Representative, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries. Representing some 134 countries and territories, the Group of 77 is the largest coalition of developing States in the United Nations.
“The Group stresses the interest of its members in the fulfilment of commitments to implement the financial targets of the Cairo Programme of Action as an important component of development strategies towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and beyond,” Mr. Al-Mahmoud added.
Although progress had been made in implementing the Cairo Programme, the G-77 representative said, much remains to be achieved. “Many of our countries continue to experience high fertility rates, high mortality rates, while facing the deadly threat of HIV/AIDS,” said Mr. Al-Mahmoud. “We also face many challenges presented by international and internal migration, including the rapid growth of our urban populations, further challenging our development strategies.”
Regarding UNFPA, G-77 stated: “The activities of UNFPA in particular in developing countries have proven over the years to be of crucial importance to the achievement of the goals and principles of ICPD and the Key Actions. As a consequence, these activities have contributed to our common endeavour towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, in particular, and in our development efforts, in general.”
Speaking for the European Union and 10 acceding countries, Ireland’s representative, Tom Mooney, said that a substantial increase in funding is necessary, if the Cairo and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are to be met.
“The MDGs will not be achieved unless the goals of ICPD and ICPD+5 are also achieved,” warned Mr. Mooney. “Population and sexual and reproductive health and rights are critical determinants of the MDGs.” ICPD+5 is shorthand for a special session of the General Assembly that was held in June-July 1999 to review the Cairo Programme at its fifth anniversary.
“Population trends have impact on social and economic development and it has been well-documented that a rapid population increase constitutes a significant obstacle to the goal of poverty reduction, hindering the empowerment of women, children and men alike,” said Mr. Mooney. “Quite simply, poverty cannot and will not be eradicated without achieving the ICPD goals.”
The head of the United Nations office for least developed countries (LDCs) agreed.
“In 2004, the population of LDCs stood at 736 million persons,” said Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, United Nations High Representative for the least developed, landlocked and small-island developing countries. “By 2015, it is projected to reach 942 million people. This means that between now and 2015, when the MDGs are expected to be met, there will be 206 million more people living in the LDCs.”
“Addition of more than two hundred more people in their populations would make it nearly impossible for the LDCs to achieve the MDGs,” he stressed.
