Summary: July 23, 2002 : Statement by First Secretary Trine Rask Thygesen, Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN, on behalf of the European Union, at the ECOSOC Substantive Session, general segment - agenda item 3: Economic and environmental questions 13 (f): Report of the Commission on population and development 13 (a): Sustainable development - Report of the Committee for development policy (New York)
Mr. Chairman,
Allow me on behalf of the EU to address two of the sub-items under this agenda item: 13 (f) on the Report of the Commission on Population and Development and 13 (a) Sustainable Development which in essence means the report of the Committee for Development Policy.
Let me begin with commenting on the report of the Commission on Population and Development. The Central and Eastern European Countries associated with the European Union Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the associated countries Cyprus and Turkey, align themselves with this part of the statement.
Mr. Chairman,
Health issues are key determinants of economic growth and sustainable development. The recent report of the Commission of Macroeconomics and Health clearly demonstrates that the impact of investing in health on poverty reduction is far greater than previously understood.
The theme of the 35th session of the Commission on Population and Development was devoted to the issue of reproductive rights and reproductive health, with special reference to HIV/AIDS. In that regard, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to a holistic approach to reproductive and sexual health as well as reproductive rights.
Mr. Chairman,
In particular, a comprehensive approach is called for when striving towards reducing the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis (TB). The EU Action Plan on Aid for Poverty Diseases in Developing countries aims exactly at providing a comprehensive package of interventions for these three major communicable diseases. Furthermore, our strong financial support for the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and malaria demonstrates our
commitment to ensuring that the Fund will serve as an effective mechanism for delivery of essential support.
The European Union attaches great importance to the integration of reproductive and sexual health issues into national development plans. In this regard, the European Union should like to underline its strong support for the activities of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in building national capacity in this area. These activities constitute a major contribution to solving the problems raised by population dynamics and reproductive and sexual health issues in developing
countries.
Universal access to reproductive and sexual health services and better delivery of these services is crucial in the fight against poverty. UNFPA deserves strong and further support to pursue its activities - thereby contributing to achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration.
We take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the Cairo Plan of Action and the Key Actions for the Further Implementation of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, adopted by the 21st Special Session of the General Assembly and call for the full implementation of the commitments contained therein.
Mr. Chairman,
Let me finish by briefly commenting on sub-item 13 (a). The EU would like to thank the Committee for Development Policy for the report on its fourth session held in April this year. The report covers a number of issues, including questions related to the theme for the High-Level segment of this years ECOSOC substantive session.
Regretfully, the report was only received in an unedited version - and only in English - less than a week ago. The late submission of the report has prevented it from being considered during the High Level segment and further gives delegations little time to consider important recommendations in the report, including recommendations related to the next triennial review of the list of least developed countries.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, on the question of graduation of the Maldives, the European Union looks forward to receiving - in a timely manner I should add - a new country profile as part of the triennial review of the list of least developed countries planned for 2003.
Mr. Chairman, thank you.
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