New tasks for the United Nations--the environment, population, space, and seabeds.

Abstract

A discussion of the United Nations activity in relation to the environment population outer space and the seabeds is presented. In regard to the population problem an international multilateral approach is recommended. International agencies can be particularly useful in meeting the problem by promoting a consensus on the nature of the population problem and what directions should be taken by helping to assuage domestic interests that oppose controversial national population policies and by helping to prevent family planning from becoming an ideological or cold war issue. Recommendations of a report issued by the United Nations Association on world population and the United Nations role are summarized: 1) the present Trust Fund for Population should be increased to $100 million a year in voluntary contributions; 2) a Commissioner for Population should be established to administer the fund implement population projects and represent the United Nations: 3) the Commissioner should be prepared to sponsor projects extending across the entire spectrum of population and family planning programs; and 4) substantial resources should be devoted to the support of research into improved fertility control into the operation of family planning programs and into the relationship between population policy and development policy. It is estimated that $2 billion a year will be required to provide family planning services for all women in the world who want them.