Statement by
Ms. Sumarjati Arjoso
Head of Indonesian Delegation
Before the Thirty-Seventh Session of the Commission on
Population and Development
On
General Debate on National Experience in the Implementation
of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on
Population and Development

New York, 23 March 2004

Mr. Chairman,

On behalf of my delegation, I would like to begin by congratulating the Chairman and the other members of the Bureau on their election to the various posts they now hold. Indonesia is delighted to participate in the 37th session of the Commission on Population and Development, knowing that what we accomplish here will help to chart a course for the further implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in 1994. We note, with deep satisfaction, that the session will be aided in its deliberations by two reports from the Secretary-General on financing to implement the Programme of Action and actual progress made in that regard.

In general the reports are encouraging but they do note shortfalls and gaps in implementation. Despite meaningful South-South cooperation and partnerships among developing countries to deal with the population challenge, many of them still face the dim prospect of not achieving the goals of the Cairo Programme of Action or the Millennium Declaration by the 2014 and 2015 deadlines respectively. These countries are desperately in need of support from international partners, particularly the donor community. And they will benefit from increased cooperation between the Population Division of DESA and the UNFP A in its capacity as lead agency responsible for implementation.

Further, in the context of the achieving the goals and objectives of the PoA of the ICPD, we believe that lessons from lndonesia's experience are informative and could be of benefit to others. We are pleased to report that over the last few decades, in spite of the harmful effects of the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis, significant progress has been registered in three interrelated areas, population, poverty and development. The growth rate and the level of poverty, for instance, were brought down considerably.

The latest Indonesia Demographic Health Survey 2002-03 demonstrates substantial progress in ending rapid population growth but ensuring fertility consistent with mortality rates. Most married couples are now closer to achieving their desired family size and spacing of children. Mortality is declining in most provinces and there is evidence that many of the provinces are taking the necessary steps to confront HIV / AIDS and other health crises. Moreover, the Indonesian Government is initiating processes to address concerns related to international migration, an emerging issue that has begun to draw the attention of key policy makers in an increasing number of countries. In this regard Indonesia recommends that the theme for the 2006 session of the CPD should be international migration.

In the area of reproductive rights and reproductive health, we recognize the importance of strengthening our efforts to implement the ICPD Programme of Action, with its emphasis on family planning programmes incorporating the needs of the poor and disadvantaged. In implementing these programmes, we seek to eliminate gender discrimination and promote informed choices and decisions based on available comprehensive reproductive health education and services. Indonesia's safe motherhood initiative is being promoted as a human rights issue.

Steps have also been taken to allocate resources to meet the growing demand for access to information, counseling, services and the full range of safe and effective contraceptive methods. We have also developed innovative strategies to provide adolescent girls and boys with reproductive health information through both formal and informal education - including peer counseling. This education is designed to promote gender equality, responsible sexual behaviour and prevent unwanted pregnancy.

In its bid to promote reproductive health, Indonesia nevertheless finds itself challenged by a number of hindering factors but none as devastating as the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS. We are seeing alarming increases in the numbers of infection in the Asia and Pacific region and the projections for the future are frightening. Therefore, the nations of our region must vigorously seek ways and means to combat HIV/AIDS in a comprehensive manner, including giving it the priority it deserves and integrating it into national development policies and poverty strategies. This is one of the key obstacles that we have to overcome for the Cairo agenda to be fully implemented.

To achieve the goals and objectives of the Programme of Action, continued efforts and commitment are needed to improve gender equality, mobilize sufficient human and financial resources, to strengthen institutional capacities, and to nurture partnerships among governmental sectors, the international community, non-governmental organizations and civil society. Indonesia's intention is to revise its Population and Family Development Act to serve as the legal basis for the existence of a coordinating body for national population policies and to help promote sustainable development.

With such efforts and commitment, Indonesia can be expected to show broader and deeper progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the Programme of Action. On the financial issues, while the Hanoi Initiative 20/20 calls upon governments to proportionally allocate 20% of their national budget for social development, during the 1998 - 2002 fiscal period which was impacted by the financial crisis of that time, Indonesia was forced to allocate its resources in such a way to achieve rapid economic recovery, especially in the restructuring of the banking sector. The situation brought about sharp reductions in social expenditures, including for education, health and family planning programmes. But remedies are in place to correct this.

For the purpose of promoting sustainability of social programmes, the request to all existing donors, including traditional bilateral donors and cooperation partners, is for them to at least maintain and, where possible, increase the level of contributions for the implementation of technical cooperation activities on population. The nature of the interaction between developing countries and the international community must result in solid partnerships which are essential for the mobilization of resources and capacity building so that they can implement the Cairo agenda. With this approach, the ICPD Programme of Action will be implemented in Indonesia and other developing countries in the not too distant future.