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Hanoi -- Over 100 parliamentarians, UN and NGO representatives gathered in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 13-14 December on the occasion of the 9th General Assembly of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) to discuss “Addressing Climate Change and Food Security: Linking Population as a Factor.” It was hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam, with support from UNFPA and the Government of Japan. The General Assembly elected new office bearers for the 2009-2011 period.

The opening programme was addressed by Hon. Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, MP and Vice Chair of the Vietnam Parliamentary Committee for Social Affairs; Hon. Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, MP, former Prime Minister of Japan and Chair of AFPPD; Mr. G. Giridhar, Special Advisor of UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office and Representative in Thailand; Dr. Raj Karim, Regional Director for East and Southeast Asia and Oceania, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF); Mr. Ian Howie, representing the UN Country Team in Vietnam; and Hon. Mme. Tong Thi Phong, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of Vietnam.

In his welcome address, Mr. Fukuda cited Vietnam as a model of successful policies on population and development and praised the contribution of the Vietnamese Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (VAPPD) as an executive member of AFPPD.

Participation By All

Mr. Fukuda emphasized that the principle of “participation by all,” confirmed at TICAD IV and the G8 Summit in Japan, is crucial to addressing global challenges land that both developing and industrialized countries must cooperate and find common grounds in order to move in a positive direction. While industrialized countries are the largest greenhouse gas emitters and contributors to climate change, he said, developing countries will emit twice as much carbon dioxide by 2050 if they grow at the present speed without putting in place measures to curb emissions.

“Most fundamental to our success in meeting these challenges is population stability,” he stressed. The most urgent population challenge is the protection of the most vulnerable people, who bear the brunt of the consequences of climate change. Mr. Fukuda said that the world knows the problems of climate change, but must act on that knowledge to bring positive change. He expressed confidence that the deliberations taken at the General Assembly of AFPPD will lead to concrete steps towards better policies in population and sustainable development.

Basic Human Needs of Growing Population Depend on Healthy Environment

Mr. G. Giridhar (UNFPA)

Mr. G. Giridhar

Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Mr. G. Giridhar, Special Advisor of the UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office and Representative in Thailand, reminded participants that meeting the basic human needs of growing population is dependent on a healthy environment, which in and of itself will not be socially sustainable if it fails to address inequality.

Mr. Giridhar highlighted Asia’s vulnerability to natural disasters linked to climate change, which pose serious economic and health risks to millions in developing countries. He cited progress made in agricultural technologies, economic growth and increasing incomes and better standards of living in Asia, but cautioned that such advancements also place burden on the environment and food security.

He stressed the key role of parliamentarians in shaping public policy in efficient production and distribution technologies, as well as in behavioral change in energy use. UNFPA believes in empowering people by giving them choices in family planning and access to universal health care, which will lead to lower fertility, smaller families and slower population growth, thus reducing the burden on the environment.

Empowering the Most Vulnerable Reduces Risks of Climate Change

People who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change and environmental degradation are also the least at fault and with least control over global warming or greenhouse gas emission, said Dr. Raj Karim, Regional Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). At the same time, she recognized the complexity and challenge to plan and implement strategies that will harmonize climate change with population prerogatives.

She said that 95% of population growth is occurring in developing countries and the most vulnerable people already live in countries where health services are strained to prevent and control ill health and where there are huge unmet needs for family planning and reproductive health services Through expanded, quality services for sexual and reproductive health and rights, vulnerable communities can be empowered to make “intelligent and right choices on actions they can take to ensure food security and mitigate negative effects of climate change.”

Strong Political Leadership Needed on Climate Change

Speaking on behalf of the UN Country Team in Vietnam, Mr. Ian Howie, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, acknowledged the importance of AFPPD in bringing policymakers5 together to share knowledge and experiences, as well as develop effective policies, programmes and networks.

Climate change places tremendous pressure on the capacity of governments and national infrastructures to provide social services, particular to marginalized and vulnerable groups. Poor women and children are likely to be disproportionately and increasingly affected by the negative consequences of climate change if critical action is not taken now.

He stressed the key role parliamentarians play in increasing domestic funding for HIV programmes and providing appropriate advocacy policy advice to the government. They must ensure that HIV targeted programmes receive sufficient funding and use their political leverage to scale up domestic resource mobilization for key HIV priorities, thus reducing overdependence on external funding and making programmes more sustainable over time.

Mr. Howie urged policymakers to exercise strong leadership and advocate for farsighted policy decisions. He also recognized AFPPD’s active role in reviewing legislation, monitoring implementation and advocating for action on these issues.

Enhancing Public Awareness on the Environment a Common Responsibility

Lying in a tropical and monsoon zone with a long coastline, Vietnam is especially prone to natural disasters which have grave social, economic and health implications. Vietnam is also one of the five countries deemed to be worst-hit by climate change and a rise in sea level. Hon. Mme. Tong Thi Phong, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of Vietnam, cited these major concerns in her opening address at the General Assembly of AFPPD.

Mme. Tong stated that man-made factors are the main cause of climate change and that it is our common responsibility to raise public awareness of the need for environmental protection. To this end, she noted Vietnam’s ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol and the development of a National Target Programme to respond to climate change. In particular, the National Assembly has enacted environmental protection laws and is working to criminalize pollution.

Mme. Tong further emphasized the importance of regional cooperation among parliamentarians as a tool to promote mutual understanding and create a community of nations at peace and prosperity with each other. In this regards, she showed appreciation of the partnership between the Vietnamese Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (VAPPD) and AFPPD. VAPPD joined AFPPD in 1992 and has since gained valuable experience in population and development issues through participation in AFPPD events.

Session I: Linkage Between Climate Change and Population

Knowledge and Concern of Climate Change Inadequate

Gathering of parliamentarians and policymakers bring greater understanding and cooperation and help to motivate them to prioritize response to climate change, said Hon. Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition, Sri Lanka. He called on parliamentarians to provide leadership to protect the environment and effect necessary legislation to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

Climate change and food security are not potential but impending crises that could derail and make more difficult the achievement of development goals, such as delivering reproductive health services and halting the spread of communicable diseases, he warned.

“Our forefathers did not know the causes and consequences of climate change,” said Minister de Silva, “but we know enough and therefore we have to behave differently.” He lamented the inadequate level of knowledge and concern among populations in many countries. Such apathy cries out for leadership which parliamentarians must provide and display in order to firmly commit themselves to raise these matters to the top of national agenda, said Minister de Silva.

Slow Population Growth Contributes to Economic Development

Hon. Ms. Ma Li, Member of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, credited China’s political commitment to family planning and the resulting low fertility rate for her country’s rapid development over the last three decades. Planned population growth frees up precious resources and lessens the burden on the environment, she said.

Ms. Ma highlighted China’s policy preference on population and climate change, which values the people and sustainable development while giving adequate consideration to economic development. China is committed to stabilize its low fertility level, promote change of economic development style, encourage energy-efficiency and conservation, and build ecologically friendly means of production and consumption behavior.

In particular, Ms. Ma enumerated some specific policy directions China is committed to take, including establishing a legal framework to tackle climate change, improving and implementing laws and regulations related to climate change, energy and green house gas emission; and create a stable financial investment mechanism through government investment and special permission to encourage use of clean and renewable energy.

“China upholds the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities adopted in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol,” stated Ms. Ma. She also called on developed countries to take the lead in reducing emission and provide financial aid and technological transfer to developing countries to help them do the same.

Lower Population Growth Makes Good Climate Sense

The linkages between climate change and population are complex and not well researched. Only a few researchers appear to be studying the connections and the climate change negotiating community is reluctant to bring population into the negotiation process. Nevertheless, Mr. Robert Engelman, Vice President for Programs at the Worldwatch Institute in Washington, DC, believes that strong correlations between climate change and population can be identified.

Population growth hotspots of world are among those most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change, such as in the Bay of Bengal, where millions are threatened by rising sea level and other natural disasters. While urging developed countries to take historical responsibility for raising greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, Mr. Engelman also made explicit the reality that the atmosphere is already so “overpopulated” with greenhouse gases that either side of the development divide can ill-afford to add more to it.

Mr. Engelman asked “Are greenhouse gas emissions chiefly a function of numbers of people or levels of consumption?” He said the answer is a combination of both. Previous studies of climate change and population growth have shown a strong correlation. Breaking down close correlation between population growth and emissions of greenhouse gases by states indicates diversity in the population-emissions link—there are places where emissions are declining despite a growing population or where emissions increase much quicker than population. Although correlation is not causation, such correlations and studies lay the foundation for future researches.

“As a simple matter of the precautionary principle,” he concluded, “achieving the lower population projection makes good climate sense, especially since it could be achieved by satisfying the demands of all women and couples for access to safe and effective family planning information and contraceptives.”

Population Growth Is Outpacing Agricultural Output

Food security should be seen in the context of quality and quantity, as well as structural changes in a nation’s agriculture and population dynamics, said Hon. Mr. Chiaki Takahashi, MP, Japan, at a session on “Food Security and Water Management”

Japan’s population is graying and declining and by 2050, the country’s population is estimated to be around 159 million. At the same time, the number of farmers and area of crop production have both declined since the 1950s. Globally, world population is projected to hit 90 billion in 2050 and will greatly outpace the projected crop production and size of harvested areas.

The production of meat requires multiple crops and growing crops requires a huge amount of water, so food security is also a water security issue. Asia has the largest total river water (135 thousand cubic km) but the lowest river water per person.

In addition to mad cow disease (BSE) and the controversies surrounding genetically-modified crops, fluctuation in food price and food safety lapses are also threatening food security. The rapid increase in food prices, he said, is due to 1) climate-related disasters in major crop-producing countries; 2) changes of lifestyle in developing countries in tandem with economic growth, resulting in higher demand for meat and fish; and 3) increasing consumption of biofuels, which leads to lower amount of crops available for food.

Food safety can be ensured by promoting good business practices such as Eurepgap and ETI, as well as by instituting systematic preventive approaches such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point used by the U.S. FDA.

Ensuring Food Security Requires Multisectoral Approach

Food security is dependent on availability, access and utilization, said Mr. Vo Tong Xuan, former MP and Professor of Agronomy of Angiang University, Vietnam, who also urged that countries must ensure the supply of sufficient quantity of food in appropriate quality, access by households and individuals in order to acquire adequate nutritious intake, and utilization of foods through adequate diet, water, sanitation and healthcare.

The 2008 food crisis was caused by a host of factors. Outside of Asia, the rise in crude oil price led governments to seek alternative sources of energy, such as biofuel, the use of which reduces the amount of food available on the market. Droughts in Australia reduced world supply of wheat. As a result, prices of food grains increased worldwide.

Within Asia, the high price of corn and wheat led consumers to place higher demand on rice, leading to a shortage. Developing countries with growing income are placing higher demand on meat and fishes which require more food grain to feed. Industrialization and urbanization processes are taking away good rice lands. Population growth is the main issue behind all these factors.

To secure enough rice for the world, Professor Xuan recommends measures such as 1) making rice-growing more attractive and profitable by lowering production costs, raising rice price and apply the value-chain system; 2) managing national food security and rice marketing system; 3) optimizing present rice lands, expanding to less favourable areas and finding more rice lands in low productive countries.

In conclusion, he urged world governments to share expertise, allocate for budget for research and development, assure free and fair trade for all and encourage a multi-sectoral and multi-lateral approach to improve food security.

Responses to Climate Change Must be Gender-Sensitive

In her capacity as the Chair of the AFPPD Standing Committee on Women, Hon. Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP of New Zealand, stressed that any response to climate change must be gender-sensitive because the phenomenon is not gender-neutral and there are fundamental differences in the way women and men contribute to global warming, are impacted by its consequences, cope and adapt to climate change, and access and participate in decision-making.

It has been widely recognized that climate change affects worst on the poorest and most vulnerable, as well as those who rely heavily on local natural resources for livelihood. Women make up 70% of those living below the poverty line and are dependent on the use and management of environmental resources, and therefore are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Women are also disenfranchised at the decision-making level in climate change, which is male-dominated in most institutions.

Women, however, must not be viewed as victims but as positive agents of change. Empowering women and having them at the table of negotiation will go a long way in addressing climate change. Furthermore, investing in sexual and reproductive health and rights “is not only about improving individual’s health and well-being, but also about the well-being of the environment we all rely on to survive.”

Ms. Chadwick stressed the need to protect the environment through supporting people’s choices, and parliamentarians can play a major role by supporting and advocating for including, financing, studying a gender perspective in policy decisions and actions on climate change, as well as by sharing best practices with other countries and working closely with civil society and the wider public.

Governments Must Protect RH as a Human Right

While the details of climate change is complex and its primary cause difficult to pinpoint, Hon. Ms. Chieko Nohno, MP of Japan, said rapid climate change is most certainly effected by human activities. Poor communities living in developing countries, especially the women among them, are the least responsible for climate change but remain the most vulnerable to the vagaries of global warming.

Many women do not yet have access to even the most basic reproductive health services. Providing and guaranteeing access to reproductive health services to women and children will empower them and increase their ability to mitigate the effects of climate change. Reproductive health is a human right and it is the responsibility of all governments to respect, protect and fulfill it.

She recognized the historical responsibility of advanced industrial countries in exacerbating climate change, but believes that finger-pointing does not solve the problem. She argues that stabilizing the climate requires emission reduction by the industrialized countries as well as technological improvement in developing countries to curb CO2 emissions which accompany economic growth. To do that, stabilization of population growth is the key and that in turn “requires empowerment of women and availability of reproductive health services.”

Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Reduction Can Ensure Sustainable Development

Dr. Feng Min Kan, Senior Coordinator of Advocacy and Outreach at the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), Geneva, believes that promoting a gender-sensitive approach to climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) can ensure sustainable development because they are all cross-cutting issues.

Asia was hit by 30% of the disasters in 2007 but suffered 90% of the total casualties and half of the global economic damage. Disasters don’t discriminate, but the poor suffer the most because they have no better alternatives than living in disaster-prone areas, without the capacity and resources to address and mitigate the risks.

She said countries have focused too much on disaster response and not enough on DRR and preparedness. She cited a World Bank and Asian Development Bank study which shows for every $1 invested in DRR and preparedness, a return of $7 can be gained. We cannot achieve sustainable development, she stressed, without addressing DRR with a gender-sensitive perspective and a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach that requires above all political commitment, as well as technical, social, developmental and humanitarian prerogatives.

Sustainable Emissions Require Global Cooperation

Mr. Koos Neefjes

Mr. Koos Neefjes, Policy Advisor on Climate Change at UNDP-Vietnam, reminded there is a common but differentiated responsibility for the carbon footprint and capability to address it. He laid out a sustainable emissions pathway whereby by 2050 the world is to cut emissions by 50%, developed countries by 80% and developing countries by 20%.

Delegates to the UN climate change conference in Poznan, Poland, agreed to move from discussion to negotiation mode in 2009 on “long term cooperative action.” The Bali Road Map puts emphasis on actions such as mitigation and adaptation, reduction in emission from deforestation and forest degradation, technology transfer and new financing mechanisms.

Investment is much needed, he stressed, in information, awareness-raising, community-based disaster preparedness, climate-proof infrastructure, health service strengthening, spatial planning, water conservation, research and development on adaptation and mitigation and energy consumption and industry standards.


MPs from Maldives (from left): Mr. Hassan Afeef and Ms. Aneesa Ahmed, Deputy Speaker of parliament

Malaysia (from left): Dato Ahmad Husni Handzlah, Deputy Minister of Finance; Mr. Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff, MP; Mr. Alexander Nanta Linggi, MP and Senator Datuk Azizah Abd Samad

MPs from Laos (from left): Mr. Pholsena Phonethep, Mrs. Thatsadaphone Norsing, and Mr. Souksada Bodhivarn	Mongolia (from left): Ms. Otgon Majaa, Parliament Staff, Mr. Tlyeikhan Almalik, MP and Mr. Sukhbaatar Jamiyankhorloo, MP

HIV/AIDS Funding Should Be Scaled Up and Follow Real Needs

Dr. Bob Verbruggen from the UNAIDS Regional Support Team of Asia Pacific assessed the socio-economic impact of AIDS in the region and the financing needs and mechanisms for the HIV response.

Economic growths in many Asia-Pacific countries tend to mask the serious economic inequalities which are getting aggravated because of the time lag between economic growth and social sector progress. In some of these countries, the poor and marginalized populations are less and less able to and some can no longer afford the rising health costs.

Studies have shown the resources available for HIV have been smaller than the resources needed between 2005 and 2008. Resources have not followed real needs and low-risk groups receive more funding than high-risk ones. This occurs most likely because low-impact programmes are generally attractive and are soft and easy to implement. He stressed that “high impact should be the main guiding factor for choosing programmes for funding and this will be determined on how effective they are in preventing new infections and improving quality of life for those living with the virus.” Efforts focused on the most-at-risk populations are the most cost-effective.

Culturally Sensitive HIV/AIDS Advocacy Is Most Effective

Parliamentarians tend to be the most effective and strongest advocates in areas with which they feel most comfortable, said Hon. Dr. Donya Aziz, MP of Pakistan. In Pakistan, it was found that parliamentarians were most comfortable with prevention advocacy relating to unsafe blood transfusions, the reuse of blades (by barbers), syringes and other medical devices.

MPs have avoided HIV/AIDS programmes because the conservative nature of Pakistani society is not politically conducive to HIV/AIDS advocacy. However, parliamentarians have the power to shape public opinions, and political advocacy can be a low-cost high-impact method.

In a step marking important progress and willingness to tackle HIV/AIDS, Pakistani parliamentarians formed a forum on the epidemic in November 2006 and were sensitized on the issues through interactions with people living with HIV/AIDS. Awareness workshops were held to facilitate sharing of experiences and best practices. Run entirely by MPs, the Forum “has been especially successful in devising advocacy campaigns for parliamentarians that are tremendously informative as well as culturally sensitive.” Dr. Aziz expressed confidence that over time more MPs will be encouraged to be outspoken and address issues presently considered taboo.

Medical MPs and WHO Discuss Partnership

On the first day of the AFPPD General Assembly, AFPPD held a luncheon meeting of 15 medical parliamentarians with Mr. Igor Rozov, External Affairs Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva (standing on left in picture).

Convened at the initiative of WHO-Geneva, the International Medical Parliamentarians Organization (IMPO) and AFPPD, the luncheon allowed for an informal discussion of opportunities for cooperation between WHO and parliamentarians to further the health agenda in Asia-Pacific and Central Asia. The meeting sought the views of parliamentarians on their needs, objectives and forms of cooperation with WHO and explored the possibility of revitalizing IMPO in order to mobilize parliamentarians at the national level on public health issues such as sexual and reproductive health, maternal heath, tobacco and HIV/AIDS.

It was decided that an IMPO-AFPPD Task Force of Medical Parliamentarians be convened to further discuss detailed plans of medical MPs’ involvement in these critical issues, and cooperation will be requested from WHO-Geneva and its regional offices, UNFPA, IPPF and the Global Health Fund.

MPs Offer Diverse Perspectives and Policy Recommendations

In recognition of the indispensable and important role lawmakers play in the response to climate change, the General Assembly devoted its last session on “Parliamentarian Movement and Climate Change,” featuring a diverse panel of MPs from seven countries, chaired by Hon. Mr. Shen Yan, Member of the NPC of China.

Hon. Dr. Nghiem Vu Khai, MP and Vice Chair of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment of the National Assembly of Vietnam, gave an overview of mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change, in which he highlighted the Vietnamese government’s climate adaptation policies over the years. Vietnam ratified the UNFCCC in 1994 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2002. The National Assembly has introduced laws on environmental protection and forest protection and development and other environment-oriented laws to promote biodiversity, gender equality and effective use of energy. He called on governments to focus on adaptation activities, enhance adaptation capacity, ensure sustainability in all climate policy and active cooperation on the international level.

Hon. Mr. Bekenov Askhat, MP of Kazakhstan, expressed hope that his country will ratify the Kyoto Protocol soon. He recognized the responsibility of Kazakhstan, a country with substantial reserves of hydrocarbons, to address climate change. He said that the ozone layer over Kazakhstan has decreased by 5-7% since monitoring started in 1973, thus exposing humans to ultraviolet radiation. Kazakhstan is committed, he said, to combat climate change and has introduced new technologies using substances that do not deplete the ozone layer. Kazakhstan has also legislated new regulations for the use of ozone-depleting substances.

Hon. Mr. Edcel C. Lagman, Member of the House of Representatives, Congress of the Philippines, urged parliamentarians and policymakers to address simultaneously both economic and environmental problems “without one being prioritized or sacrificed at the expense of the other.” Climate change must, he said, be on top of any political agenda, which should articulate shared but differentiated responsibility, provide national legal infrastructure to combat climate change, sustain international dialogue and cooperation, and integrate reproductive health, family planning and population development.

“Parliamentarians need to read the writing on the wall,” warned Hon. Ms. Mabel Rebello, MP of India, “and apply their mind to suggest suitable measures to contain global warming,” which is threatening food security, leading to higher sea level, thinning the ozone layer and depleting natural resources such as water and forests. These crises are the results of demographic factors, compounded by poverty, lack of access to resources, excessive consumption and wasteful production. She said that parliamentarians should take the lead in influencing public policy to shift society toward efficient production, distribution of clean technologies and in behavioral change in energy use.

Hon. Mr. Minendral Rijal, MP of Nepal, believed that while funding is important, political will is even more essential in the response to climate change. He urged countries to allocate a higher percentage of their GDP for climate change-related programmes.

Both Korea and Cambodia detailed positive steps taken to address climate change. Hon. Mr. Choi Chul Kook, MP of Korea, said national governments should support a global strategy to reduce disaster risks and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. Korea has been establishing a Comprehensive Action Plan for Climate Change, with an emphasis on a green growth strategy. Private sector in Korea is actively involved in actions such as construction of photovoltaic power plants.

Hon. Mrs. Men Sam An, Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of Cambodian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (CAPPD), said her country has implemented many climate-related measures, such as the promotion of renewable energy and forest conservation. As a party to the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, Cambodia has also just begun to develop a National Adaptation Programme of Action on climate change.

9th General Assembly Highlights AFPPD Contribution to the Parliamentarian Movement

From left: Mr. Jyoti Shankar Singh, Permanent Observer for Partners in Population and Development to the UN, New York; Dr. Pinit Kullavanijaya, Senator of Thailand and Secretary-General of AFPPD; and Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, MP, former Prime Minister of Japan and Chair of AFPPD

In his opening remarks on the second day of the 9th General Assembly of AFPPD, Hon. Mr. Yasuo Fukuda said he was pleased to see Asian Forum playing an active role in creating and enabling parliamentarians, both women and men, to champion population and development causes in their respective countries.

“I am proud that AFPPD has been playing a leadership role,” said Mr. Fukuda, “in keeping the momentum and strengthening the inter-regional framework and partnership of parliamentarians on population and development. He also called for a revival of the global committee of parliamentarians on population and development to “further the achievement of parliamentarian action at the national, regional and international levels.”

Mr. Jyoti Shankar Singh, Permanent Observer for Partners in Population and Development to the UN and former Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, traced the development of the parliamentarian movement on population and development. He recognized the progress of the movement and the major role AFPPD has played in the Asia-Pacific region.

However, he pointed out that new challenges have emerged over the years. Allocations to family planning in national budgets appear to have not risen in response to the rising demand for information services. International support for family planning had dropped from 54% of international population assistance in 1995 to 9% now. Social and cultural barriers and taboos are obstacles to the provision of information and services to adolescents and youth.

He believed that many of the needed changes, such as elimination of violence against women cannot be achieved by legislation alone, but a fundamental change in cultural and public attitude towards women. To this end, parliamentarians can take the lead in advocating for such change.

Mme. Truong Thi Mai

He urged parliamentarians, government leaders and civil society to discuss in-depth and form a consensus on how to achieve growth and development while protecting the environment. Parliamentarians, in particular, are “uniquely suited to the task of ensuring that the policies they have helped to shape are fully implemented, that waste and duplication are avoided and that policy correction is undertaken whenever appropriate.”

AFPPD’s activities and achievements were highlighted in a report by its Secretary-General, Hon. Dr. Pinit Kullavanijava, Senator of Thailand. AFPPD has been active in engaging parliamentarians in its own activities as well as those organized by the UN and other international organizations.

The Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development (PPAPD) and the People’s Majilis of Maldives have officially sought memberships in AFPPD. Timor Leste and Afghanistan have taken steps to prepare their memberships, with Bhutan also considering joining.

Furthermore, AFPPD is deepening and broadening its operation in Central Asia where we now have three parliaments affiliated and one more may join soon. AFPPD holds an annual regional event, the last of which was a women parliamentarians’ meeting in Tajikistan. Dr. Pinit also expressed his hope to appoint a full time Representative for Central Asia region to further develop parliamentarians’ work. These efforts are supported by the East Europe and Central Asia Division of UNFPA.

At the international level, AFPPD is strengthening its relationships with the UN and other major international organizations. We are developing relationships with UNDP Regional Centre in Colombo, IFAD in Rome and UNAIDS through collaborative activities. At the country level, most of the Parliamentary Committees are quite active with full time staff support, and AFPPD will continue to support them and strengthen their capacity where needed.

AFPPD’s small grant programme has been instrumental in generating national level follow-up on policy actions by parliamentarians who participate in AFPPD events. UNDP is also cooperating with AFPPD in efforts to engage elected representatives on MDG. In addition to parliamentarians, AFPPD also recognizes the importance of staff of parliament and organizes a yearly training workshop to strengthen their capacity.

National parliamentary committees who are members of AFPPD also presented brief reports on activities they have undertaken in their respective countries over the last three years. Participants submitted personal statements of commitment, proposing specific actions they will take upon their return. Hon. Mme. Truong Thi Mai, MP and Chair of VAPPD, Vietnam, closed the General Assembly.

Maldives and Pacific Parliamentary Group Become Members of AFPPD

In a unanimous decision by delegates present, the AFPPD memberships of Maldives and the Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development were approved.

The Hon. Ms. Aneesa Ahmed, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majilis of Maldives, thanked AFPPD for its speedy approval of her country’s membership and expressed Maldives’ commitment in working with AFPPD on population and development issues.

AFPPD is also pleased to retain Hon. Mr. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiatau, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, as one of AFPPD’s Vice Chairs and his leadership will be essential to AFPPD’s operation in the Pacific region.

AFPPD Proposes New Programmes for 2009

A major focus of AFPPD’s programmes for 2009 will be on the 15th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD+15), explained Mr. Shiv Khare, AFPPD Executive Director. ICPD+15 Parliamentarians Conference will be in held in Cairo, Egypt, in October 2009.

AFPPD also plans to review performance by parliamentarians in relevant population and development areas and strengthen National Parliamentary Committees in certain countries through the small grant programme.

To capitalize on momentum gained in family planning in South Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines, AFPPD will support parliamentarian advocacy in these countries. At the same time, AFPPD feels that parliamentary advocacy on HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health needs to be enhanced and will cooperate with UNFPA, UNAIDS, FHI and ASAP in this area.

AFPPD is also working with UNDP to organize a regional parliamentarians meeting on hunger in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in February of 2009. Another regional Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Conference will also be held in Kathmandu, Nepal. A regional training in project development proposal writing and implementation strategies will be held for staff of parliaments.

In order to solidify AFPPD’s relationship with Central Asia and the Pacific, cooperation with parliamentary committees in those regions will be conducted, including a Central Asian women parliamentarians workshop in Turkmenistan, strengthening of parliamentary committees and the publication of Russian newsletters and Russian e-news.

AFPPD is also keen on engaging parliamentarians in other international events, such as the Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights in Beijing; International Conference on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) in Bali; and the International Harm Reduction Conference in Bangkok.

2009-2011 Office Bearers Elected

The 9th General Assembly elected AFPPD’s office bearers for the 2009-2011 period. AFPPD is pleased to have the continued leadership of Hon. Mr Yasuo Fukuda, MP and former Prime Minister of Japan, as its Chairman.

The Vice-Chairpersons are: Hon. Dr. Guowei Sang, Deputy Speaker, NPC, China; Hon. Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP, India; Hon. Mr. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiatau, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Samoa; Hon. Mme. Truong Thi Mai, MP and Chair of Committee on Social Affairs, Vietnam; Hon. Mrs. Aitkul Samakova, MP and Deputy Speaker of the Kazak parliament.

Hon. Senator Dr. Pinit Kullavanijaya of Thailand will be the Secretary-General and Hon. Mr. Edcel Lagman, Member of the House of Representatives, Philippines, was elected Deputy Secretary-General.

Hon. Ms. Tuti Indarsih Loekman Soetrisno, MP, Indonesia, was elected as AFPPD’s treasurer while Hon. Dato’ Haji Ahmad Husni Mohamed Hanadzlah, Deputy Minister of Finance and Chairman of AFPPD Malaysia, will be a Member of the Executive Committee. Hon. Ms. Claire Moore, Senator and Chair of Parliamentary Group on Population and Development in Australia, will succeed Hon. Ms. Steve Chadwick of New Zealand as the Chair of AFPPD’s Standing Committee on Women.

AFPPD is grateful for the contribution and leadership provided by all outgoing office bearers: Hon. Ms. Aisyah Hamid Baidlowi, MP, Indonesia; Hon. Senator Beksultan S. Tutkushev, Kazakhstan; Hon. Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP and former Minister of Women’s Affairs, New Zealand; Hon. Ms. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Member of the House of Representatives, Congress of Philippines; and Hon. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, MP, Vietnam.

Parliament Staff Trained in Communication and Media

Over 25 parliament staff participated in the communication and media training workshop faciliated by Ms. Katja Iversen (sixth from right in front row) at the Holiday Inn in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Over 25 staff of parliaments from the Asia-Pacific participated in a highly interactive Regional Training on “Communication and Media: a Tool for Parliamentarians Advocacy” from 23-26 November in Chiangmai, Thailand. The training, organized by AFPPD, was facilitated by Ms. Katja Iversen, Media Specialist of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York.

Hon. Senator Anan Ariyachaipanich, who also chairs the Committee on Public Health of the Senate of Thailand, graced the event and welcomed the participants along with Mr. Montri Pekanan, Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT).

With an interesting mix of 25 participants from 18 different countries across Asia, the training was primarily aimed at informing staff members of parliamentarians and parliamentarians’ groups on the importance of communication and media in their work. Successfully combining lectures with dynamic and engaging group activities, the training imparted various methodologies and techniques that would help the participants maximize the potentials of communication and media vis-à-vis their work.

The participants learned how to relate with media practitioners, create a media plan, produce press releases, and develop appropriate yet flexible media kits. They also learned how to craft a strategic communication plan.

The training participants were also able to experience conducting on-camera interviews on the second day where they alternately played the roles of interviewer and interviewee.

The following day, they were brought to a local media station where they got to experience first-hand how Chiang Mai’s state-run television and radio stations operate.

AFPPD Session at World Bank Parliamentarian Conference Focuses on Climate Change and Population

The Conference of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) was held in Paris, France, on 20-22 November, to discuss “Navigating Climate Change, Food Crisis and Financial Crisis to ensure growth and the delivery of effective aid.” Hosted by the French National Assembly and the French Government, the meeting brought together some 150 parliamentarians and development leaders. AFPPD, a Board Member of PNoWB, organized the participation of parliamentarians from Asia-Pacific.

AFPPD organized a parallel session entitled “Can Addressing Population Growth Help Tackle Climate Change and Food Security?” on 21 November, which was attended by over 40 parliamentarians. The session was moderated by Hon. Ms. Janette Garin, Member of the House of Representatives, Philippines. The panelists included Hon. Dr.Donya Aziz, MP of Pakistan; Ms. Karen Newman, Coordinator of the Population and Sustainability Network, London; Mr. Jean-Marc Chataigner, Head of Cabinet, Cooperation and la francophonie, Foreign and European Affairs Ministry, France; and Hon. Dr. Pinit Kullavanijaya, Senator of Thailand and Secretary-General of AFPPD, who chaired and opened the session with an introduction of AFPPD.

Mr. Chataigner argued that in the context of climate change policies and development goals including universal education and access to voluntary contraceptive programmes, it is high time for policy makers to put demographic issues back on the political agenda.

Hon. Dr. Donya Aziz, MP and Member of the Committee economic affairs, Health and Privatisation from Pakistan, argued that although it is imperative for the developing world to begin moving towards environmentally friendly energy use, the onus falls on developed countries, with their advanced technology, to help the developing world move away from over-dependence on fossil fuels towards the use of cleaner technologies.

Ms. Newman said that the world must address the need to emphasize resource consumption in the North while at the same time advocating increased access to sexual and reproductive health care services in the South so that “we don’t remain complicit in the silence about population.”

Preparation Underway for 4th International Conference of Parliamentarians on ICPD

From left: Ms. Nobuko Takahashi, Parliamentary/NGO Public Affairs Specialist, UNFPA; Ms. Ragaa Said, IERD, UNFPA; and Ms. Safiye Cagar, Director of IERD, UNFPA

A Steering Committee Meeting to organize the 2009 International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action was held in Tunis, Tunisia, on 14-15 November. The ICPD (ICPI) Conference itself will be held in Cairo in 2009, marking the 15th anniversary of ICPD. The meeting, organized by UNFPA with support from other regional parliamentarian groups on population and development, decided on logistics and participation. It was chaired by Ms. Safiye Cagar, Director of Information and External Relations Division (IERD) at UNFPA Headquarters and facilitated by Ms. Nobuko Takahashi and Ms. Ragaa Said of IERD.

Hon. Dr. Pinit Kullavanijaya, Senator and Secretary-General of AFPPD and Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD, pledged their full commitment to make the ICPD+15 in Cairo a very successful event.

AFPPD Parliamentarians at Southeast Asian Regional Workshop on Drugs and AIDS

Sen. Dr. Pinit Kullavanijaya, Secretary-General of AFPPD (center in front row), with parliamentarians, parliament staff and NGO representatives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Parliamentarians, UN experts and NGO representatives gathered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 8-9 October for the Southeast Asian Regional Workshop on Drugs and AIDS to follow up on the outcomes of the 1st Asian Consultation on the Prevention of HIV-related Drug Use which was held in Goa, India. The theme of the workshop was “Continuing to Care” and it aimed to strengthen the understanding of the linkages between drug use and HIV vulnerability and the direct links between drug use and poverty.

The workshop was organized by the Asian Harm Reduction Network, the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and SHARAN (SHELTER), in cooperation with AFPPD and UNAIDS.

The spread of HIV and AIDS has become a prominent problem in developing countries, in particular in Southeast Asia, where drug use represents a major factor in HIV infections and poverty. The outcomes of the workshop will feed into the 2nd Asian Consultation on the “Prevention of HIV related to Drugs use” to be held in 2009.

In addition to arranging participaton of MPs, AFPPD was represented by its Secretary-General Hon. Senator Dr. Pinit Kullavanijaya, Thailand, who made a presentation on AFPPD’s mission and parliamentary advocacy activities in the field of drugs and HIV/AIDS.

Asian MPs Discuss Climate Change and Early Warning System

The Korean parliament’s Committee on Population and Environment (CPE), a member of AFPPD, organized the 2nd Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians Workshop on Climate Change and Early Warning at the Parliament in Seoul on 1-2 November. The opening of the conference was addressed by Hon. Won Hye Young, President of Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on Environment and Development (APPCED), Hon. Hwang Woo Yea, President of CPE, and Hon. Lee Maa Nee, Minister of Environment.

Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD, spoke on international and regional cooperation where he emphasized the need for cooperation on people-to-people basis and population issue should be seen as an important factor in climate change. Ms. Sangmi Lee, Director of CPE, told AFPPD that Korea is trying to increase awareness and deepen knowledge of environmental issues among parliamentarians. Other issues discussed included why early warning is important, early warning system and natural phenomenon, current practice and future direction in early warning technology.

A statement was adopted at the end of the conference by delegates present and will be delivered to the International Panel on Climate Change. The statement notes that “population growth is an important factor in climate change and its implications need to be taken into account.” It also said that policies to combat climate change should be people-centric.

General Assembly of Japanese Parliamentarians Reviews Work on Population and Development

On 5 November, the Asia Population and Development Association (APDA), in its capacity as the secretariat of the Japan Parliamentarians Federation for Population (JPFP), organized a General Assembly in the Members’ Hall of the Upper House of the Japanese Diet. Attendees included prominent members of the Japanese Diet, representatives of UNFPA, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the Ministry of Foreign Affirs and the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP).

In her introduction speech, Hon. Ms. Chieko Nohno, JPFP Secretary General, extended her thanks and gratitude on behalf of JPFP to Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, also present at the assembly, applauding his efforts in bringing health and population development issues into the forefront of discussion at TICAD IV and at the G8 Summit during the course of the Japanese G8 Presidency.

Since concluding his tenure as Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Fukuda has resumed the position of Chairperson of JPFP, much to the appreciation of the organizations. In his opening address, Mr. Fukuda thanked Hon. Ms. Wakako Hironaka for her service as Acting Chair in his absence and confirmed his recommitment to population and development issues, regardless of political affiliation.

A retrospective report of activities in 2008 was given by Hon. Mr. Chiaki Takahashi, JPFP Deputy Secretary General, and a tentative plan of activities and budget was laid out, which was approved by the members present.

As a guest speaker, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, Ms. Mari Simonen highlighted that during this global financial crisis, challenges are arising in maintaining funding for programmes, so there will be specific focus on monitoring, evaluation and accountability. In conclusion she noted that Japan’s ODA has been decreasing and stressed that given the political importance for Japan as a G8 member, its funding resources should stay at the same level.

Dr. Gill Greer, Director General of IPPF, summarized recent advocacy activity in African nations in which many Japanese embassies have been involved. Most of this is in follow up from the TICAD IV Plan of Action and the results are positive. In closing she quoted Ban Ki-moon; “Development is not a privilege of the few, but a right for all.” (APDA)

Milestone Reproductive Health Bill Reaches Plenary in Philippines Congress

For the first time in its decade-long existence, the consolidated Reproductive Health and Population Development Act (House Bill 5043) was finally tackled by the House of Representatives during its plenary session on 17 September 2008.

The bill’s principal authors, who are all officers and members of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation (PLCPD), delivered their respective sponsorship speeches before a jam-packed gallery of reproductive health (RH) supporters.

“Let us not resort to anger or sulkiness to delay the process. Step back from the climate of antagonism and engage in a healthy debate,” Rep. Anan Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel said in her sponsorship speech. She also made an appeal to “stick to the text of the bill, without embellishments.” Rep. Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio, AFPPD Treasurer, on the other hand, clarified that the bill is “not only about family planning.” She stressed that the bill will also address maternal and infant mortality in the country. Deliberations on the RH bill was scheduled to commence when Congress resumes session in November.

As of this writing, 109 out of the 238 legislators in the House of Representatives have co-authored the bill. Meanwhile, a majority of those who have not signed up as co-authors are also saying that they will vote to pass the bill in plenary. n (PLCPD)

IAPPD Releases Briefing Kits on Maternal Health for Elected Representatives

The Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IAPPD), a member of AFPPD, released briefing kits on (1) National Rural Health Mission – An update (2) Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PNDT) – 1994 and (3) Maternal Health.

The briefing kits are designed for Elected Representatives, from parliamentary to village level, and was released by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh of India on 22 December at Parliament House in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss and Members of Parliament from different political parties.

IAPPD was represented by Professor P.J. Kurien, MP and Chairman of Standing Committee and Mr. Manmohan Sharma, Executive Secretary. Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP and Vice Chair of AFPPD; Mrs.Viplove Thakur, MP; Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria, MP; Ms.Mabel Rebello, MP; Mrs. Jayaben Thakkar, MP; Mr. Avinash Khanna, MP, and other parliamentarians also participated. (IAPPD)

Global Video-Conferencing on Reproductive Health in the New Aid Environment

A global video conference with stake holders from the United Nations, NGOs and other international, regional and national organizations on the effectiveness of aid especially for Reproductive Health was held on 29 October. It was organized by the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) in Brussels, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). It connected Belgium, Ethiopia, Switzerland, Uganda and the United Kingdom for about one hour and thirty minutes with Bangkok (Thailand). AFPPD coordinated the video conference in Bangkok at the WHO office.

The global video-conference is an internet-based global community of civil society representatives launched by ReProductive Aid, which is guided by a Steering Committee of leading civil society representatives, including AFPPD, from Africa, Asia and Europe. The aim of the group is to promote networking, learning, sharing experiences and strategizing effective ways to address SRH in the new development aid “architecture,” which has been difficult for Sexual and Reproductive Health organizations to access, resulting in stagnant and declining aid for family planning and Reproductive Health.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Eckhard Deutsche, Chair, Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC); Dr. Gill Greer, Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF); Ms. Joy Phumaphi, Vice President, Human Development Network, World Bank; and Ms. Ingrid Srinath, Secretary-General of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation.

Those participated in Bangkok included Hon. Senator Dr. Pinit Kullavanijaya, Secretary-General of AFPPD; Hon. Senator Dr. Porapan Punyaratabandhu, President of the Thai Medical Women’s Association; Hon. Senator Kobkul Phancharoenworakul; Dr. Sarama Mathai, RH Services Advisor at UNFPA-Bangkok; Mr. Montri Pekanan, Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT); Dr. Subidita Chatterjee, International Consultant on Maternal and Child Health, WHO; Mr. Romeo Arca, Senior Programme Officer, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA-International); Mrs. Irena Vojackova-Sollorano, International Organization of Migration (IOM) Regional Representative for Southeast Asia; Dr. Patrick J. Brenny, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Thailand; and Ms. Ryce Chanchai, Policy Analyst of UN Millennium Campaign Asia Pacific.

AFPPD was represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Shiv Khare and staff members Mr. Julien Anseau and Mrs. Pariyaporn Sappapan.

AFPPD Convenes Nepalese Women MPs to Assess Reproductive Health Policies

AFPPD organized a meeting in Kathmandu of women members of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal in October, as a follow-up to the 6th Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in September, which focused on financing health and gender MDGs.

The AFPPD meeting was addressed by Ms. Ugochi Daniels, acting UNFPA representative in Nepal, Ms. Sudha Pant, Programme Officer at UNFPA-Nepal, and Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD. Also present were Mr. Bhaskar Gautam, Information Officer at the Office of the President of Nepal, and Ms. Aradhana Malla, former programme associate of AFPPD.

Around 30 women parliamentarians discussed their expectations and affirmed their support for Reproductive Health and family planning policies to be perused at the constituency and parliament level.

Ms. Sudha Pant of UNFPA assured the attendees of UNFPA’s support and informed them about UNDP-UNFPA training for newly elected parliament members in reproductive health.

South Asian Regional Conference on Medical Abortion

Gynuity Health Projects organized a conference “Medical abortion in South Asia: What is New? What is Next?” on October 23-24, 2008 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Almost 100 people attended the conference, including participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Afghanistan. The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Meera Ojha from the Ministry of Health and Population in Nepal, as well as key representatives from other South Asian countries.

Highlights of the conference include a survey of the boom of mifepristone and misoprostol products and their use in the private sector in India, as well as identification of gaps in information on how women are using the method. In Nepal, the role of medical abortion as part of the comprehensive abortion care project developed by the Ministry of Health and Population and key partner agencies, was shared with participants. Bangladeshi colleagues explored the potential to introduce medical abortion drugs within the menstrual regulation program in their country, while experiences providing the method in highly restrictive settings such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka were shared by others.

The conference provided an opportunity for participants to share research updates and exchange information and strategies to newly introduce medical abortion and expand access to the method where already available. South Asia is a diverse and populous region where medical abortion is already being used by millions of women. The conference confirmed that there is much scope for improving the quality of services, decreasing cost, and increasing use of the method by millions more. (Gynuity)

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Solution to Climate Change and Food Security Must Tackle Population Growth