UNFPA Background Guide - National Model United Nations

One of the biggest challenges for countries facing increased urbanization is related to governance. Specifically,
weak local government institutions often cannot cope with the rapid rate of urbanization and may not have a full
grasp of all the different problems associated with this rapid growth. 147 Governments need to increase the capacity
and competence of the relevant authorities to deal with urban development, protect the environment, and handle
citizens’ needs for personal safety and basic infrastructure. For the environment, water, waste and air management,
environmentally sound energy and transport systems are essential. 148 In order to integrate poor rural migrants in
urban areas, their income-earning capability must be improved. This entails access to employment, basic education,
health, training, and transportation services. The PoA also suggested introducing cost-recovery schemes to finance
needed infrastructure projects. 149
Whenever necessary, domestic representatives should introduce the necessary legislation to implement the above. 150
Regarding international cooperation, there are a host of avenues to pursue, including offering technical assistance,
technology, and medical supplies. 151 Finally, the international community as a whole has the responsibility of
adopting favorable macroeconomic policies for sustained economic growth. 152
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The MDGs were eight targets resulting from the 2000 Millennium Summit and it's outcome, the Millennium
Declaration (A/RES/55/255) to be achieved by 2015. 153 The MDGs share several targets with the ICPD PoA,
streamlining international development efforts. They are: poverty reduction; gender equality and the empowerment
of women; child mortality; maternal health, including reproductive health; combating HIV/AIDS. But essentially,
UNFPA is indirectly related in achieving all eight targets. 154
Kampala Declaration
Following the culmination of the ICPD +15 International Forum in Uganda, in 2008, Partners in Population and
Development (PPD) - a South-South initiative – issued the Kampala Declaration. It recognized that the global
economic crisis had adverse effects on efforts to achieve ICPD goals and MDGs, and that the number of people
living on a dollar a day is increasing. 155 PPD members reiterated their commitment to the centrality of family
planning in development, combatting HIV, ensuring reproductive health commodity security, and promoting
sustainable development. 156
Role of the United Nations System
Since the conclusion of the Cairo Conference in 1994, and UNFPA has been recognized as the lead UN organization
for follow-up and successful implementation of the PoA. 157 Through data collection, the Fund contributes to some
150 agenda items in General Assembly debates, and participates in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
functional and regional intergovernmental commissions. 158 UNFPA is one of the founding members of both the UN
Development Group (UNDG) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). 159 The World
Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for setting the heath research agenda, creating health norms and
standards, and providing leadership on global health issues. 160 It also provides technical support to countries, and
147
UNFPA, Report of the International Conference on Population and Development, 1995, p. 62.
148
Ibid., p. 62.
149
Ibid., p. 63.
150
Ibid., p. 90.
151
Ibid., p. 97.
152
Ibid., p. 98.
153
UN General Assembly, World Leaders Adopt ‘United Nations Millennium Declaration’ At Conclusion Of Extraordinary
Three-Day Summit [Press Release]. (2000); United Nations Development Program, About MDGs [Website].
154
UNFPA, How The ICPD Program of Action Supports the MDGs [Website].
155
Partners in Population and Development, Kampala Declaration, 2008, p. 3.; Partners in Population and Development,
Kampala Declaration, 26 Nov 2008, p. 4.
156
Partners in Population and Development, Kampala Declaration, 2008, p. 2.
157
UNFPA, UNFPA in the UN System [Website]
158
Ibid.
159
Ibid.
160
WHO, About WHO [Website], 2013.
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