Commissioner Nielson meets Executive Director of UNFPA

Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian aid Mr. Poul Nielson today met Ms Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) to exchange views on issues linked to the promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights in developing countries.

The European Commission's efforts in this area are based on the conclusions from the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994.

The UNFPA is an important strategic partner for the European Commission in its efforts to deliver on the commitments from Cairo. Commissioner Nielson expressed his continued support and confidence in the important work carried out by the UNFPA in this framework and in particular in the area of reproductive health. Mr. Nielson added that 10 years after Cairo, there was still a clear need to defend the results. Commissioner Nielson assured Ms Obaid that the Commission would continue to defend and promote the implementation of the Cairo principles.

Mr. Nielson and Ms Obaid exchanged views on achievements and gaps in the area of reproductive health. They shared the concern of the global shortage of reproductive health commodities in developing countries such as reliable access to contraceptives. This was leaving millions of women in these countries vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS and the risk of childbirth without basic equipment or medical supplies.

Commissioner Nielson said he was prepared to consider additional financial support to address this problem. The European Commission has committed €32 million from the European Development Fund to UNFPA in support of its sexual and reproductive health programmes in developing countries. Furthermore a total of €73.95 million (2003-2006) have been allocated from the EU budget in support of policies and actions on reproductive and sexual health and rights in developing countries.

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