Population and development

Abstract

Participants of the Secondary Preparatory Committee for the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) scheduled to be held in Cairo 1994 broadened their otherwise generally narrow attitudes on family planning services and population policies. It was suggested by the conference secretariat and representatives of some governments that family planning be considered in the framework of sexual and reproductive health and that population policies to be integrated with environment consumption and development policies. Committee deliberations focused upon a conceptual framework for a new World Population Plan of Action. No agreement was achieved on developing countries proposal to include a separate chapter on the family; a proposal by some delegations that ICPD documents specify reproductive rights and services for only couples instead of individuals and couples as agreed upon at the Bucharest Population meeting in 1974; and the impact of debt and economic crises on health services and development and the need for sustained development instead of only sustained economic growth. Agreement was however met on the need to increase resources for family planning/reproductive health and the social sectors. The secretariat will produce an annotated outline of resolutions taken and issues discussed for comment by governments and accredited NGOs at the UN General Assembly in the Fall.