Geneva, 14 January 2004 - Population
and reproductive health experts meeting
in Geneva have affirmed Europe's strong
commitment to the 20-year action plan adopted
in Cairo a decade ago.
The three-day European Population Forum 2004 examined the
impact of changing demographic trends in the region, and assessed global efforts
to implement the Programme of Action adopted at the 1994 International Conference
on Population and Development (ICPD). Speakers from a wide range of fields
emphasized the Cairo Programme's importance to improving people's lives throughout
the region.
More than 350 people took part in the Forum, which was hosted
by the Swiss Government and co-organized by the United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UNECE), and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. The event
was part of a series of regional meetings marking the tenth anniversary of
ICPD.
Issues discussed by the Forum reflected the diversity of
the region. They included persistent low fertility, ageing populations and
declining workforces, migration and high mortality and morbidity. Special
attention was given to the social, economic and health challenges facing countries
in transition in Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
At the close, Werner Haug, Deputy Director of the Swiss Federal
Statistical Office, summarized the Forum's main conclusions.
Empowering young people to fully enjoy healthy sexual and
reproductive lives was identified as a key priority in a region with rising
rates of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. Participants
also emphasized the need to integrate HIV prevention and treatment fully within
reproductive health programmes.
Other regional concerns identified included widespread human
trafficking and gender-based violence.
Priority concerns in transition countries include weakened
health care infrastructures and restricted access to quality health care,
in particular to reproductive health information and services. Efforts to
improve health care are hampered by a lack of reliable data systems. Some
countries face high rates of maternal mortality and unsafe abortion.
Low fertility was identified as a major policy concern in
a growing number of countries. The Forum stressed the importance of gender
equality and heard examples from the region of national policies promoting
more male responsibility for parenting and greater participation of older
persons.
The impact of low fertility on the labour force is a concern
in much of Europe. Some European countries will suffer from a dramatic decrease
in working-age populations in the next 50 years, with an increase in the number
of retirees depending on benefits and pensions.
Some participants noted that admitting more migrant workers
to the region could help address the shrinking workforce problem, but could
only be part of the solution. Stressing that international migration is an
increasingly important resource in a globalized world, a number called for
immigration and social integration policies that are more transparent and
better coordinated at local, national and regional levels.
The lack of adequate resources for population and reproductive
health programmes was identified as the primary obstacle to achieving the
Cairo objectives, including gender equality and universal access to reproductive
health care by 2015. Participants emphasized the importance of Europe keeping
its promises to mobilize resources for population and reproductive health
as a key contribution to international development. Annual global assistance
for these sectors, they noted, is nearly $3 billion short of the requirements
agreed to in Cairo.
The Forum identified implementation of the Cairo agenda as
indispensable to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, including halving
world poverty by 2015 and slowing the spread of HIV/AIDS. More funds for sexual
and reproductive health are especially needed in transition countries that
are currently undergoing health and social reforms.
"Our primary objective must be to protect and save lives
and contribute to the conditions under which all people-men, women and children-thrive
and lead secure and healthy lives," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive
Director, at the Forum's closing. "Stronger political commitment, backed by
effective policies grounded in human rights and above all by adequate resources,
is the key to realizing our common hopes for humanity."
**** ** ***
More information about the Forum, including the agenda and
background papers, is available at www.unece.org/ead/pau/epf.
Further information about population issues, reproductive
health and the ICPD can be found at
www.unfpa.org.
Contact information:
Ref: ECE/GEN/04/03