STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MARWA KISIRI, MINISTER COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSIONOF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OT TANZANIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, IN THE SECOND COMMITTEE OF 52^ND SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON ITEM 97(C ): POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT; AND ITEM 97(D): INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE CONVENING OF A UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT

New York, 30 October 1997

Mr. Chairman,

On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, permit me to address this Committee with a view to contributing to the deliberations on agenda items 97(c ) and 97(d) respectively dealing with Population and Development, and International Migration and Development.

Mr. Chairman,

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 recognized the inextricable linkage between population and development aspirations. The Group of 77 and China reiterates the significance we attach to implementation of the Programme of Action of ICPD and translation of its recommendations into action in order to facilitate the goal of addressing critical population problems and create opportunities of development. As re-emphasized in the Agenda for Development, this implementation will involve decisive actions by Governments and enhanced support from the international community including through an increased commitment of financial resources both domestically and externally. In this context, it is crucial that developed countries honour their commitment to complement the national efforts of the developing countries on population and development activities. And for this purpose, the Programme of Action of ICPD covers commitments to increase substantially the availability of international financial assistance to developing countries in the field of population and development.

Mr. Chairman,

According to the Programme of Action’s schedule of resource requirements, in order to meet ICPD goals it will be necessary to have an estimated amount of US$17.00 billion a year by the year 2000 and this is expected to increase to US$21.7 billion by 2015. While two-thirds of these resources are expected to be raised from developing countries’ domestic sources, one third of the total, that is, approximately US$5.7 billion by 2000, should come from external sources. The present external resources scenario remains unsatisfactory as outlined by the Secretariat, and we urged the international community to fulfil the resource targets and avoid reducing the level of resource mobilization below that estimated by the Programme of Action hence avoiding the possible negative consequences on population and development activities. This approach will enable developing countries to strengthen their population programmes aimed at addressing several pressing issues including modern family planning services, increasing literacy rates, tackling HIV/AIDS, and lowering infant mortality. The Group of 77 and China maintains that the impetus of the Programme of Action should be increased. We reiterate that South-South cooperation programmes have an important role in this area, and we call for increased donor support on this front.

Mr. Chairman,

While we have noted the Secretariat’s documentation on this item notably report A/52/208 and A/52/208/Add.1, we are of the view that the question of convening a "Special Session of the General Assembly in 1999" as decided by ECOSOC has not been adequately addressed and thus does not appear in the proposed schedule of events. This situation does not facilitate an informed discussion by the Committee4 on the issue. This important issue should be re-examined by this Committee. In this regard, the Group recommends that a Special Session of the General Assembly for reviewing ICPOD be convened in 1999. In this regard, we look forward to the support of other countries beyond the Group on this important proposal.

Mr. Chairman,

Concerning international migration and development, we appreciate the follow-up work highlighted by Secretariat (in document A/52/314). The Group of 77 and China reiterates the relevancy of General Assembly’s resolution 50/123 which outlines how to tackle this area from a cross-sectoral and development perspective. in this area. We emphasize the critical necessity for positive action on this and emphasize the need for Member States and the United Nations system to strengthen international cooperation in the area with a view to tackling the root causes of migration particularly those related to poverty, and to maximize the benefits of international migration.

Mr. Chairman,

We would like to refer to two other issues raised in the report on this subject namely planned Technical Symposium in 1998 (paragraphs 20-21) and meetings of the Committee for Development Planning (paragraphs 30-31). On these, we encourage an early information and submission of the reports to relevant intergovernmental bodies for their consideration.

Mr. Chairman,

Finally, it is acknowledged that international migration and development is a complex issue and we are aware of the various dimensions involved. We appreciate that there is a need to address this issue through a process, involving the United Nations and relevant actors. While regional and sub-regional approaches are one of the possible approaches, other approaches include consideration of the possibility of the convening of an international conference on migration and development. We feel that the Committee should tackle this issue and agree on a follow-up course of action.

Thank you.