General Assembly Session 49 meeting 60

The President

I should like to read out a statement that the President of the General Assembly, who is absent today owing to unavoidable commitments, has requested that I deliver on his behalf on the occasion of the fifth Africa Industrialization Day. It reads as follows:

"On 20 November countries throughout the continent of Africa and in various capitals of the world will commemorate Africa Industrialization Day. This year marks the fifth celebration of the Day since its proclamation at the Conference of African Ministers of Industry at Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1989 and its endorsement by the General Assembly.

"We are all well aware that Africa's industrial progress has fallen behind those of other developing regions. Whereas industry in Asia and Latin America has, on the whole, shown great strides, Africa has not kept pace and, in some instances, has even lost ground, and there is even a tendency to equate Africa with poverty, hunger, disease and civil strife.

"Nevertheless, Africa is in fact rich in both natural and human resources. Industrialization will make it possible for African countries to transform those resources into material goods with a higher economic value. It will enable them to realize the full potential of their abundant resources and propel them to economic prosperity. Indeed, industrialization holds the key to addressing the major concerns of the African continent.

"It is generally recognized that industry is the engine of economic growth and development. It provides the essential inputs for other sectors of the economy and produces the end products to satisfy consumer needs. It creates productive employment, promotes rural development, sustains agriculture and makes health care more widely available. In short, industry is the key to both economic progress and social development in Africa.

"The theme of this year's Africa Industrialization Day -- private-sector development -- is particularly appropriate in light of current economic changes. Industry is clearly moving from the public to the private domain, not only in the countries in transition but throughout most parts of the developing world, including Africa.

"The economic lessons of more than two decades of development have shown us that for industry to thrive and grow the competitiveness, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector must be given the opportunity to flourish. We in Africa should take heed of this lesson and lend support to our industrialists and entrepreneurs. Above all, Governments throughout the continent can help by creating an environment conducive to sustainable industrial development. This is the message I wish to impart on the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day.

"While Africa must bear the primary responsibility for its own industrialization, the international community must do its part in supporting and sustaining that process. Indeed, it is in the interest of the international community to do so. An industrializing Africa will benefit its trading partners as new markets for their exports open up and as the increasing prosperity of Africans enables them to purchase goods from abroad. Through debt reduction, improved market access, technology transfer, increased investments and official development assistance, Africa can do even more to attain self-sustaining industrialization and economic growth. This will bring not only a better life to more than 700 million Africans but will enable Africa to make a positive contribution to international economic cooperation.

"The central task of the United Nations system is to galvanize international action in support of Africa's efforts to attain economic prosperity and social stability. Among the organizations of the United Nations system, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has played a leading role in fostering international economic cooperation for African industrialization. Together with the Economic Commission for Africa and the Organization of African Unity, UNIDO has brought heightened awareness of the pressing industrial needs of the continent and has provided its expertise in policy and technical matters in support of African industrialization.

"In the context of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the Uruguay Round agreements, Africa will need to undertake a major reorientation of its industrial strategies and programmes. Countries in the continent need to strengthen their agro-industrial sector and move towards increased processing of raw materials and exports of manufactured goods. That is why it is more necessary and urgent than ever to create an instrument for financing pre-feasibility studies for the diversification of African agricultural raw materials, in the framework of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s. It is clear that diversification of African raw materials will contribute to broadening the industrial base that is indispensable for the sustained growth of the manufacturing sector in African countries.

"International competitiveness and enhanced export capability must be a key objective for African enterprises in those industrial subsectors where specific countries have a comparative advantage. Through its accumulated experience and expertise, UNIDO can play a major role in facilitating this major transformation in African economies.

"Africa Industrialization Day holds more than symbolic significance for those of us in Africa. It underscores our firm resolve to rise above our current difficulties and forge ahead with renewed confidence. It is a day when we rededicate ourselves to rebuilding our industries and returning our continent to the path of sustained economic recovery and development. I have every confidence that, with the collective support of the international community, the dream of African industrialization will soon become a reality".

I call next on the representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Rosario Green, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who will read out a message from the Secretary-General.

Ms. Green (Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs)

It is my pleasure this morning to read out the following message from the Secretary-General:

"The twentieth of November is Africa Industrialization Day. It is the day when Africa celebrates its achievements in the field of industry and commits itself to industrialization as part of its development goals. I am pleased to join in the celebration of these goals and achievements.

"I would especially like to underline the importance of the Day for the United Nations system as a whole.

"African development is perhaps the single greatest challenge facing the international community. Increasingly, the world community is beginning to recognize the vital need to support Africa's efforts for stability, social progress and the eradication of hunger and disease.

"Industry has an essential role in economic and social development. Industrial growth will be a key component of progress in Africa. The needs are there in abundance, but so are the natural and human resources. What is required of us is the full commitment of all the development partners to greater and special efforts.

"The United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s provides the framework within which the United Nations system will support economic and social progress in Africa in the years to come. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Economic Commission for Africa and other parts of the United Nations system, in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity, are committed to working closely together to advance the objectives of the Programme for the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa. I would like to take this opportunity to assure African countries of my full support for their efforts in industrialization and of my determination that the United Nations system shall give of its best in providing support to them.

"The mobilization of the United Nations system in support of development has been a special priority for me as Secretary-General. The preparation of Country Strategy Notes is an important part of this effort. Through this process, the United Nations system mobilizes its efforts in support of country priorities -- as determined by the country itself. Let me assure the Assembly that the needs of industrial development will be taken fully into account in this process.

"The theme of this year's Africa Industrialization Day is the private sector. It is a particularly appropriate theme because it is the private sector that will have the principal role to play in generating successful industrial growth, as the example of other parts of the world shows us. Because the industrial sector in Africa is small at present, this will be a demanding role. Foreign investment can help, and must be encouraged. The right industrial policies and support institutions are essential, and African Governments are taking many of the steps needed. However, it is the African industrialists, large and small, who will face the greatest challenge and who need all our support.

"Let us wish them well. Together, let us encourage the international community to give them the support they need and deserve in confronting the challenges that lie ahead".

The President

In a letter contained in document A/49/400/Add.6, the Secretary-General informs the President of the General Assembly that, since the issuance of his communications dated 20 and 26 September, 5 and 14 October and 3 and 9 November 1994, the Gambia has made the necessary payment to reduce its arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter.

May I take it that the General Assembly duly takes note of this information?

Mr. Acharya (Nepal)

The approval of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development by consensus was an important achievement. The Cairo Conference firmly established the link between population and sustainable development. It also made it very clear that the empowerment of women was absolutely essential for a successful population programme.

The Conference further spelt out the role and necessity of international cooperation in addition to the actions required at the national level. The need to work in partnership with the non-governmental organizations and the private sector was also emphasized. The Programme of Action is a comprehensive package aimed at achieving a delicate balance between population and development.

For all this to happen, proper planning, full commitment and a clear sense of purpose were required. This achievement would not have been possible but for the conviction, courage and determination of the people of the host country -- the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The timely and successful holding of the Conference was also made possible by the Secretary-General of the Conference, Mrs. Nafis Sadik, who provided strong leadership. The Conference would have been lost had not all the participants -- Member States, observer States and others -- shown the understanding and support that the Conference rightly deserved.

The Cairo Conference, in the view of my delegation, was not just another meeting for the benefit of a few. If implemented fully within the stipulated time frame, the Programme of Action approved by the Conference has the capacity to transform the lives of billions. Mrs. Sadik, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is therefore quite right in stating that the Programme of Action has the potential to change the world.

My delegation believes that any programme that has a capacity to change the world, and for the better, deserves serious attention and full support. Lack of implementation of this Programme would be bound to adversely affect the entire world. The Programme, as agreed, puts the major burden on the developing countries. It expects domestic resource mobilization to cover two thirds of the costs of implementing the Programme, which will run into the billions of dollars. The Programme seeks the other third of the cost from external sources. Clearly, there is a need for new and additional resources for the implementation of the Programme of Action for population and development activities.

Given the political will, the international community can shoulder this responsibility at a lesser cost now. However, the burden on the developing countries, particularly on the least developed, would be enormous. Fully cognizant of the additional hardships to come, we are ready to do our best to implement the Programme of Action in cooperation with the international community.

The importance of institutional follow-up to the Conference cannot be overemphasized. National, subregional and regional activities have been outlined, but the international responsibility, particularly the role and support of the United Nations system in the successful implementation of the Programme, is equally important. It is incumbent on the General Assembly and on the Economic and Social Council to carry out an in-depth assessment of the roles, responsibilities, mandates and comparative advantages of the intergovernmental bodies and organs of the United Nations in addressing population and development issues.

Mr. Acharya (Nepal)

We must make the best use of the United Nations expertise and resources without jeopardizing the objectives and the actions set out in the Programme of Action. This obviously requires strengthening the population-related organs of the United Nations, and particularly the elaboration of the concept of a separate executive board for the UNFPA. This new institutional arrangement should have only one purpose: effective support for the timely implementation of the Programme of Action. However, its successful implementation depends on the full and unqualified support of all actors. The stakes are very high for each one of us.

Mr. Rowe (Australia)

A key objective of Australia at the International Conference on Population and Development was to work for international consensus on a Programme of Action that was strong and forward-looking and that would guide population and development programmes into the twenty-first century.

The Cairo Conference achieved unprecedented international agreement on the central development issues of sustainable development, human rights and the promotion of individual choice. Cairo recognized that enabling women to determine their goals in life and to make their own choices is essential to sustainable development and to slowing population growth. The success of population policies depends in large measure on gender equality, the equitable participation of women in decision-making, and education, especially for women and girls. Australia is very pleased that the Programme of Action is particularly strong on all these counts.

The Programme of Action enshrines the principles of freedom of choice and non-coercion in family planning programmes, but takes a strong position on making available the means to exercise that choice. This approach is consistent with Australia's development assistance programmes. In accord with the goals contained in the Programme of Action, Australia has also put in place new guidelines which seek to ensure that coercion does not occur in population programmes funded through its Development Cooperation Programme.

The Cairo Conference achieved much; our task now is to transform the words into reality. With the Conference over, there is a need to ensure that the momentum of the reform process is not lost.

Australia will be working hard to ensure that the commitments made at Cairo are followed through in Copenhagen and Beijing. We also look to the Economic and Social Council to fulfil its role in the coordination of the follow-up process among the relevant United Nations agencies, and we call for active field-level support by Resident Coordinators for the measures taken by United Nations agencies to assist countries in implementing the Conference's Programme of Action. We also look to the active involvement of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other agencies in implementing the Programme of Action. On the question of a separate executive board for UNFPA, we note that this issue has not so far inhibited a high profile for population and development concerns. We therefore suggest that further consideration be given to this matter at a later date.

The Cairo documents address the central problem facing all humanity: to balance population, development and natural resources, while promoting choice and human rights. They establish the principles on the basis of which we can attack that problem, individually and together.

The Programme of Action recognizes that significant additional resources will be required to translate the goals of Cairo into reality. The Australian Government has taken steps to meet that objective. Australia has already trebled funding for population and development activities. These programmes emphasize the provision of high quality voluntary reproductive health services which are integrated with programmes focusing on women's empowerment, their health and education. In addition, earlier this year the Australian Government announced a substantial new four-year health initiative which doubles spending in this sector.

All Member States are, of course, committed to assessing and reporting on their progress in implementing the Programme of Action. This is a commitment which Australia is taking very seriously. A detailed examination of the Programme of Action has been initiated by the Government. The review is aimed at providing an overview of Australia's position in relation to the goals and objectives of the Programme of Action. With regard to our domestic situation, Australia meets standards at a national level but needs to continue to address the needs of particular groups, such as indigenous peoples, people in rural and remote areas and people from non-English-speaking backgrounds.

The centrality of international migration issues for the international community was reflected in the intense discussions at Cairo on family reunion. This is an issue which went beyond economic or political groupings, reflecting the far-reaching nature of people movements. The migratory landscape over the last few decades has changed dramatically, with most traditional sending countries now also being receiving ones. Greater economic linkages, economic graduations and political or natural events will maintain pressure on the unprecedented level of movement of people around the globe.

Australia strongly supports the concept of family migration and has already reflected this concept in its national legislation. Such migration represented well over half Australia's migrant intake in 1993 to 1994. Australia will also continue to play a strong role in the resettlement of refugees.

Accordingly, Australia welcomes the proposal that an international conference on migration be convened by the United Nations. The conference will need to be carefully planned to ensure that it approaches international migration issues in a way that does not overlap with the important work of other international organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Australia will be ready to play its part in that process.

Mr. Sersale di Cerisano (Argentina)

As we approve the report of the International Conference on Population and Development, Argentina is in effect repeating the statement it made during consideration of the Programme of Action in Cairo, which can be found in document A/CONF.171/13.

We welcome endorsement of the Programme of Action adopted in Cairo on 13 September 1994 and congratulate Mrs. Sadik and her colleagues on their efforts in the preparation of the Programme. We also congratulate the Government of Egypt on its excellent arrangements and the support it gave to the Conference.

We fully support the statement by the Chairman of the Group of 77, who spoke of the general approach of the Programme of Action, and therefore we will not refer to the contents of the various chapters. We believe that on this occasion we should concentrate on the items left open in Cairo: follow-up machinery for the Programme of Action -- Chapter XVI -- and several policy items dealing with international migration. In both cases, the Group of 77 will present proposals which we hope can be discussed in the coming days.

Nevertheless, allow we to state what we think should be the main policy guidelines for institutional machinery. We believe there are four levels at which the analysis should be made: first, the General Assembly, where policies should be decided; secondly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), where programmes of competent bodies in the system should be coordinated; thirdly, a functional commission of ECOSOC on population and development with a mandate in keeping with the inter-sectoral nature of the Programme of Action and capable of follow-up policy-making on the Programme; and, fourthly, an executive board of the United Nations Population Fund capable of providing operational follow-up to the Programme.

To have a clear idea of the institutional follow-up machinery and how the four levels will interact requires a report from the Secretary-General detailing budgetary implications and including information about the necessary logistical support from the Secretariat. We hope to be able to take a final decision on this matter, on the basis of this report, towards the middle of next year.

With regard to international migration, chapter X contains important policy recommendations which we support. Nevertheless, this item of the multilateral agenda has still not been sufficiently discussed in all its dimensions. Argentina believes that the United Nations must include international migration and development as a specific item on its multilateral agenda, to answer the many questions posed in Cairo which have not yet been resolved. The United Nations system is the right framework for this task. In addition, we support what the representative of Australia said about convening a conference on this subject. Argentina is sympathetic to this initiative and is prepared to take part in the process.

In conclusion, we wish simply to repeat that Argentina is committed to the implementation of the recommendations in the Programme of Action at all levels, particularly the regional level.