| |
|
|
Population issues discussed at 61st Commission
Session
With the tsunami of December 2004 and its “horrific consequences”
still in the backdrop, about 500 high-level delegates from 48 countries
attended the sixty-first session of the Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Held in Bangkok from 12 to 18 May, the Commission considered a wide
range of issues under the theme “Implementing the Monterrey
Consensus in the Asian and Pacific Region: Achieving Coherence and
Consistency”.
“Since the Commission last met…., the tsunami of December
2004 and its horrific consequences have added another urgent item
to our financing-for-development agenda for the Asia-Pacific region”,
said Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of ESCAP in his opening
statement.
“We have succeeded sufficiently in the immediate post-tsunami
humanitarian and emergency response. But the long-term reconstruction
and rehabilitation, which we have just begun to undertake has increased
the challenges facing governments of the ESCAP region”, he
noted.
The Post Tsunami Recovery Development and the larger issue of Financing
for Development were thus among key items on the agenda of the Commission.
Yet population issues also pervaded the discussions, with concerns
about ageing, migration, HIV/AIDS and disability attracting particular
attention.
In his policy statement, Mr. Kim noted that “by 2050, nearly
a quarter of the population in the Asia-Pacific region would be
over 60”. “A number of countries may well realize that
they still do not have adequate social security systems for the
elderly. Apart from welfare issues, the economic impact of ageing
in terms of labour productivity, savings and investment and economic
growth can be severe if advance planning is not done. ESCAP is paying
special attention to this issue in the context of the Macau Plan
of Action on Ageing for Asia and the Pacific”, he said.
In its report, under the section on Emerging Social Issues, the
Commission requested the secretariat “to seek ways to assist
members and associate members in their achievement of the internationally
agreed development goals and commitments, particularly with regard
to the social integration of disadvantaged groups, the strengthening
of cross-generational linkages and social protection and security”.
It emphasized the need to “mainstream issues relating to youth,
the family, ageing and disability into national development, particularly
in national poverty reduction strategies”.
The Commission called on the secretariat to continue to assist countries
“in addressing the issue of population ageing through technical
assistance, advisory services and policy oriented research and analysis,
including an assessment of the future impact of population ageing
on social service expenditure, pensions and long-term health care
and investment trends”.
Among others, the Commission requested the secretariat to “develop
regional projects on fostering enabling and supportive environments,
to promote intergenerational support and reciprocity between older
persons and their families”.
The Commission noted that “international migration was a consequence
of globalization, and had an impact on the development process of
both sending and receiving countries”, urging the adoption
of policies and strategies that would facilitate its management.
The Commission noted with concern the plight of migrant workers,
the majority of which being women in some countries. It highlighted
trafficking in persons as a priority issue of concern.
The continuous spread of HIV/AIDS in the region was another matter
of serious concern, with the linkages of the disease with poverty
described as “a challenge to the region’s socio-economic
development”. For effective prevention, care and treatment,
the Commission emphasized “the need for multisectoral responses
involving all stakeholders and leaders at all levels”.
“Further action is required, and I wish to urge a higher level
of commitment of effort and resources to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS”,
noted Mr. Kim Hak-Su.
|
|
