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Parliamentarians Conference in Ulaanbaatar

• UNFPA Support assured - Dr. Hirofumi Ando
• Food Security Paramount to Stability - Mr. Shin Sakurai

Dr. Hirofumi Ando, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, reinforced the commitment of UNFPA toward the population and development program in the region and also pledged the support of UNFPA for the mobilization and development of the parliamentarian movement. He expressed his satisfaction at the role played by Asian parliamentarians in population and development, as well as resource mobilization.

"The countries represented here have a lot in common, but they are also very different. Recently, they have been facing different challenges, be it a transition to the market economy or the economic crisis. This has increased the necessity to meet the needs, as well as the difficulty of meeting the needs related to many of the topics which will be discussed during this seminar. Indeed, this meeting is proposing an agenda which addresses many critical issues for your countries. I look forward to your dialogue and exchange of views. As you all know, UNFPA strongly supports the parliamentarian movement, as we recognize your very significant role in bringing up, to the highest political level, those issues which are important for the people, at the grassroots level.

First of all, I recall that Mongolia was one of the first countries which tried, with the support of UNFPA, to achieve proper balance between population, the environment and resources, including food. We, at the UNFPA, were pleased to be associated with the efforts of Mongolia. I am therefore gratified that you will be discussing this important interdependent relationship, especially between population and food security.

One particular challenge, in UNFPA’s view, is the need to rationalize health systems, while maintaining or improving access - especially for the poor - and improving the quality of care. In Mongolia, for example, I understand that there is a very intense and extensive health system with high ratios of doctors and beds per population. However, the health indicators do not reflect this. UNFPA is working with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, not only to improve access of services, information and counseling by all, including the poor or marginal populations, but also to improve the quality of these services."

Mr. Shin Sakurai, Chairman of AFPPD, in his keynote address expressed his pleasure to see parliamentarians from CIS countries and Far East countries working together to discuss the possible solutions to economic and human development and its linkage to population issues. He said that food, security, environment and water are essential components for not only our survival but closely linked to population size and growth.

"A sparse population does not mean that the natural condition of the grass lands of Central Asia will permit a rapid growth of population. In fact, its rapid increase will invite a rapid deterioration of the environmental conditions. Therefore, for the region to succeed in stable and long-term development, the first precondition is to stabilize the population with social development in general and promotion of reproductive health and rights. The region must search for a form of development conducive to the natural conditions while addressing the population issues.

Building a peaceful society that will enable the humankind to coexist and co-prosper —this is unmistakably a worthy cause for all of us to take up. We as elected representatives of the people are dedicated to their peaceful and prosperous lives. This year the world’s population will exceed six billion. If the humankind is to survive peacefully on this planet, it is imperative that every nation address the issues of population and development, its political system, ideology and beliefs notwithstanding. It is the one and only way left to us.

I hope we can deepen our understanding of the profoundly related population and development issues and discuss tasks that we as parliamentarians must be undertaking in order to build a future of hope. At the same time, I hope that we will find every opportunity to deepen our friendship and nurture a mutual sense of comradeship as we address the same issues.

Trust will be born as we work together to the best of our abilities toward the same target. The trust will dispel any uncertainty we may have. It is the foundation on which the development of our region will be made possible.

The development of the vast frontier of Asia in a sustainable manner will be an important contribution not only to Asia, but the whole humankind. Let us members of parliament, bound in common objectives, work together and make a beginning of a great progress forward."

Mr. D. Ganbold, Vice Chairman of the Parliament, in his address called for sustainable development in a country which has vast land but few resources.

Dr. R. Gonchigdorj, Hon Speaker of the National Parliament, also attended the opening session and later gave a luncheon in honor of the participating parliamentarians.

Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD, gave background information about AFPPD and future programs.

Issues Discussed