ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL CONTINUES REVIEW OF ENERGY ISSUES, TOBACCO, HIV/AIDS, PROCLAMATION OF 'INTERNATIONAL YEARS'
Press Release
ECOSOC/5722
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL CONTINUES REVIEW OF ENERGY ISSUES, TOBACCO, HIV/AIDS, PROCLAMATION OF 'INTERNATIONAL YEARS'
19970714 (Reissued as received.)GENEVA, 14 July (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Council carried on this afternoon with debate on a range of topics -- cooperation on the issue of tobacco and health; coordination in the field of energy; joint United Nations efforts to combat HIV/AIDS; and the proposed proclamation of "international years" on such topics as volunteers, a "culture of peace", "thanksgiving", and "mountains".
Grouped under the rubric of "coordination, programme and other questions", the subjects drew comment from a series of national delegations, especially from those supporting the idea of an international year on volunteers. There also was a remark from a representative of Swaziland that if the international community wanted to foster a "culture of peace", it should stop the sale of weapons of destruction to developing countries.
A representative of South Africa said some 25,000 South Africans per year died from smoking-related diseases and that the country strongly supported work on an international framework convention on tobacco products.
And the Zimbabwean delegation said emphasis should be placed on development of clean, safe and environmentally friendly energy technologies. Solar energy was an example, but the solar process had to be supported by an adequate financial mechanism, the delegation contended, adding that the Secretary-General's report on the subject should have linked the mobilization of financial resources to the work of the relevant inter-agency task force.
Addressing the meeting were representatives of Swaziland; China; Kyrgyzstan; Jamaica; Uganda, Malaysia; Zambia; Zimbabwe; Indonesia; Cuba; South Africa; Tunisia; India; Bangladesh; UNICEF; and International Association for Volunteers Effort.
Following completion of the plenary, the group carried on informal consultations on the subject of "freshwater, including clean and safe water supply and sanitation".
The Council will reconvene at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 15 July, and will hold a panel discussion with the Executive Secretaries of regional commissions.
Statements
TIMOTHY L.L. DLAMINI (Swaziland) said the Government fully believed in non-governmental organizations at both national and international levels; transparency in their activities was a must, however. Though NGOs were designed to accelerate the tempo of social development, it was disappointing that some were not funded to accomplish the goals and aims of development and of Economic and Social Council; certain Government and para-Statal agencies were funding NGOs whose sole function was to destabilize States; the stated purpose of those NGOs was to enhance democracy, but in fact they intended to undermine legally established Governments; such NGOs did not deserve accreditation by Economic and Social Council; Economic and Social Council must therefore continuously assess whether or not the NGOs accredited were indeed qualified. Country Strategy Notes could be valuable and deserved utmost support from both the United Nations system and the various partners in development; they should be used not only for development but to bolster the unique qualities of each nation. For a true "culture of peace", the international community, among other things, should end the sale of weapons of destruction to developing countries and should respect the sovereignty of member States.
WANG XINXIA (China) said energy was a major dynamic force for economies and a global issue that required a comprehensive strategy and cooperation. The United Nations role on energy was limited; the various bodies had to carry out their role. Regarding the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the AIDS epidemic had spread rapidly in recent years causing widespread concern in the international community. UNAIDS carried out a fruitful role. To prevent a further spread of AIDS, promotion of international cooperation, financial and technical support, and increased awareness of AIDS were needed. On the issue of international years, many governments had supported the Year for Volunteers. China confirmed its support for the proposal. China also supported the Year of the Mountains.
ERKIN MAKEEV (Kyrgyzstan) said tobacco's effect on health was receiving special attention from the Government, which was focused on the problem of harmful habits; it was considering a broad range of methods for combatting this social evil, which was affecting a growing range of citizens, especially young people. Kyrgyzstan supported the proposal for an International Year of Volunteers and the proposal for the International Year of Thanksgiving; Kyrgyzstan, in addition, proposed that 2000 be proclaimed the International Year of Mountains; it was necessary to further highlight the environmental, social, and economic issues of the world's mountainous regions, and to highlight the importance of such regions for all of mankind. Support had been
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forthcoming for this idea from a number of sources; some 10 per cent of the world's population lived in mountain regions, while a much greater per cent depended on the resources of mountains, especially water; mountains were areas of enhanced environmental danger and natural disaster -- such an international year would help to heighten awareness of these threats.
VILMA McNISH (Jamaica) said that at a time of stringent allocation of funds, the role of volunteers played an increasingly important role, especially in developing countries. Jamaica had first-hand knowledge and experience of the effectiveness of those efforts, especially in the fields of poverty eradication, the environment, humanitarian assistance in time of emergency and capacity-building. Jamaica welcomed the suggestion by Japan to mark the Year of Volunteers, which would give the international community an opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women who worked tirelessly.
SHUKRI IBRAHIM (Malaysia) said the country supported the proposed international years for the mountains, thanksgiving and volunteers. All countries could relate to efforts of volunteers worldwide. It was vital to formally recognize the efforts of volunteers and promote them. Malaysia had created its own volunteer organization.
HAROLD ACEMAH (Uganda) said the Government had over the last 10 years waged a relentless struggle against HIV/AIDS on all fronts, and was pleased to report that it was beginning to reap some positive results, although a lot remained to be done. Uganda's experience was testimony to the idea that prevention worked; and the country had shared its knowledge gained and tools and strategies used, and would continue to do so. It also was grateful for all the support it had received. HIV/AIDS demanded a global approach and response, and the Secretary-General was called on to play a greater advocacy role; UN/AIDS must continue to undertake research into the economic, social, and political causes and consequences of the disease, because knowledge was a powerful weapon in the fight against AIDS. Uganda also hoped the United Nations system would expand the resources dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS.
MATHIAS DAKA (Zambia) said meeting the long-term challenge of HIV/AIDS called for an expanded response; direct health interventions, action to influence the intermediate aspects of AIDS prevention, and care had to be pursued and intensified, while innovative action had to be undertaken to address the broader context of the epidemic, including its socio-economic causes and consequences. The role of UNAIDS at country level was important because this was where it would have an impact on ordinary people. In Zambia, UNAIDS operated through the existing United Nations Resident Coordinator system, and the coordinator had established a United Nations Theme Group composed of resident representatives of all UNAIDS co-sponsors present in Zambia. The Zambian Government's approach had been to facilitate a multisectoral response to the epidemic; a coordination committee had been
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formed. The disease continued to ravage sub-Saharan Africa and to disrupt socio-economic development, in addition to causing illness and death, and Zambia believed the best response to the tragedy was to be open about it to facilitate the appropriate responses.
T.J.B. JOKONYA (Zimbabwe) said that energy had emerged as a priority issue after the Rio conference. Energy played a major role in promoting efforts which led to sustainable development. The production of energy should be directed towards enhancing the development of clean, safe and environmentally-friendly technologies. Solar energy was an example, but the solar process had to be supported by an adequate financial mechanism.
ANITA LUHULIMA (Indonesia) said the country supported declaring the year 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers; it felt such a commemoration would be timely and appropriate. The Indonesian Government had institutionalized the concept of volunteerism, and today more than 100,000 Indonesians worked as volunteers, not only domestically, but in foreign regions such as Africa.
PEDRO LUIS PEDROSO (Cuba) referred to recommendations made by the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) on cooperation with non-governmental organizations and said it was premature to take note of the report; that should be postponed until the Council's autumn meeting. On the report on tobacco, Cuba wondered if, with the background of budget constraints facing the United Nations, it was appropriate to set up a trust fund on an issue that was programmed and probably had funds earmarked by the General Assembly.
R. NAIKER (South Africa) said some 25,000 South Africans per year died from smoking-related diseases; a number of steps had been taken to reduce the habit in the country, including restrictions on advertising; the country strongly supported work on an international framework convention on tobacco products. South Africa had recently adopted a new energy policy covering a number of subjects and sectors; among its emphases were the environment and the needs of rural residents. South Africa supported the various United Nations efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, and agreed that the epidemic had to be confronted on a broad front, and not just as a health emergency. South Africa supported the proposed declaration of the year 2000 as the International Year for a Culture of Peace; and of 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers.
HABIB KAABACHI (Tunisia) said his country was pleased at sustained action taken worldwide against tobacco and at the growing awareness in public opinion on the risks and harms caused by tobacco. These efforts had made it possible for several governments to adopt more binding legislation to control tobacco. Tunisia was considering tough legislation to prohibit smoking in
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public premises, and was preparing a major youth awareness campaign. Tunisia was pleased about the International Year of Volunteers because volunteer work was an integral part of any society.
NANDHINI I. KRISHNA (India) said the comments of the ACC on the Joint Inspection Unit's report introduced this morning raised some concern. Many of the recommendations touched on complex issues with far-reaching implications which required far-greater international review and discussion before a consensus could be achieved; moreover, the comments of the ACC report revealed a wide diversion of views on the recommendations.
ANWARAL KARIM CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) expressed pleasure at learning of the progress being made on combatting the effects of tobacco on health. Bangladesh noted the recommendation to set up a voluntary trust fund to enable the United Nations to carry out its responsibilities regarding tobacco. It was worthwhile for the Council to pursue that suggestion and Bangladesh would submit a draft resolution on it. On international years, Bangladesh supported the days proposed for culture and peace, volunteers and thanksgiving.
NORA GALER of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), said the organization recognized the difficulties of starting a programme of the magnitude of UNAIDS and felt great progress had been made; UNICEF's programme efforts in the area of HIV/AIDS were coordinated within the UNAIDS budget and work plan; it supported UNAIDS's efforts to further prioritize the work plan; it believed much progress had been made towards improving coordination and communication. UNICEF and UNAIDS had supported global efforts with jointly funded positions and secondments which strengthened capacities; it had been active in developing project proposals for consideration in the UNAIDS coordinated appeal process; in the area of HIV and breastfeeding, it continued to advocate national solutions which would best serve the needs of women and children; it also was carrying out AIDS-related projects at the regional and national levels.
JACQUELINE COUSTE of the International Association for Volunteers Effort, said the group supported and ensured greater awareness and recognition of the work of volunteers. Volunteers devoted their skills and lives to building a better world. Volunteers were partners of States and communities; they were the foundation of a solid civil society. The Association was prepared to work with all United Nations agencies to give as much as possible to promote the International Year of Volunteers. The Association hoped the Council would decide to vote for an International Year of Volunteers.
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