Mr. Chairperson,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro and the EFTA Country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
The EU attaches great importance to the improvement of the methods of work of the functional commissions. The reform of the Commission on Population and Development has to be seen in the larger context of the ECOSOC reform and GA resolution 57/270 B. At the same time, while reviewing the methods of work of the Commission, the primary scope of the CPD, the review and the appraisal of the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action, should be kept in mind. The Commission identifies progress, constraints and lessons learned in the implementation of the ICPD and decides on measures and policies to overcome obstacles. In improving the methods of work of the Commission we should always bear in mind these aims.
Following-up on last year’s decision (2005/2), we would like to make some remarks on issues that according to our view would make the work of the Commission more efficient and could render the follow-up of the ICPD more effective. Our goal is to have a more streamlined and focused CPD. We would highlight in this respect the enhancement of the methods of work of the Commission on Social Development and the Commission on the Status of Women.
Mr. Chairperson,
The reform of CPD should involve the organization of our work around a special annual theme, which is primarily related to the ICPD, based on a two year programme of work. In this regard also a “cross-cutting issue approach” could be discussed. We should also consider how to improve the input to ECOSOC and, through ECOSOC, to other fora, when a connection is useful, as for example this year our discussion on migration will contribute to the High-level dialogue in September. The outcome of the discussion of the special theme could be, as current practice, in the form of a negotiated document. We could also discuss a possible review of implementation of the special theme at a later session of CPD.
We would like to see more time allocated to expert led discussions as well as roundtables focused on national or regional experiences with the involvement of stakeholders.
In addition, the Commission should debate on new or emerging issues related to its mandate. In order to come to a fruitful discussion, the format of expert panels and interactive dialogues between Member States would be most suited. The outcome would be in the form of a Chair's summary. The theme of the emerging issue should be suggested by the bureau prior to the start of session.
For a good preparation of the session of the CPD, the EU favours the introduction of more frequent bureau meetings, preferably in New York and a close cooperation between the Population Division and UNFPA, as well as with other relevant international organizations, within their respective mandates in the preparation for the sessions of the CPD. In the same context, the EU attaches great importance to the fact that the written reports of the inter-sessional meetings of the Bureau are made available at the earliest possible opportunity after these meetings as current practise. This would also be helpful for our own preparations for upcoming CPD sessions.
Let me reiterate that the reform of the methods of work should not be reform for reform sake, but should lead to a more informed discussion and a more efficient session of the CPD. As the CPD improves its methods of work, it can even better give its input to the achievement of the MDGs, as it has at its centre of interest the full implementation of the ICPD.
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process
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