28 May 1985

22nd plenary meeting

Implications of the recommendations of the International Conference on Population

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 39/228 of 18 December 1984,

Having examined at its first regular session of 1985 the implications of the recommendations for the further implementation of the World Population Plan of Action made by the International Conference on Population, in order to provide overall policy guidelines within the United Nations system on population questions,

Recognizing the important role of international co-operation in the implementation of the recommendations,

Having considered the recommendations on the role of international co-operation, in particular recommendation 83, in which the Conference referred to the leading role of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities in population matters and urged that the Fund should be strengthened further, so as to ensure the more effective delivery of population assistance, taking into account the growing need in this field,

Having considered, further, recommendation 88 on the review and appraisal of the World Population Plan of Action and the monitoring of population trends and policies and of multilateral population programmes of the United Nations system,

1. Reaffirms the role of the Population Commission as the principal intergovernmental body to arrange for studies and advise the Council on:

(a) The size and structure of populations and the changes therein;

(b) The interplay of demographic factors and economic and social factors;

(c) Policies designed to influence the size and structure of populations and the changes therein;

(d) Any other demographic questions on which either the principal or the subsidiary organs of the United Nations or the specialized agencies may seek advice;

2. Welcomes the information provided by the representative of the Secretary-General on the plans for carrying out the task entrusted to him in paragraph 13 of General Assembly resolution 39/228;

3. Requests the Secretary-General, in carrying out this task, to take into account the views expressed by the Population Commission on the need for:

(a) Assessing the performance, achievements and effectiveness of the work of the United Nations system relating to research on demographic developments, formulation of population policies and provision of financial support and technical assistance for population activities;

(b) Consistency in policy guidelines of different organizations within the United Nations system, taking into account the distinctive role of each body;

(c) Improved communication, co-operation and co-ordination in population matters between the different organizations;

(d) Delivering population assistance to countries which request it, with efficiency and effectiveness;

4. Invites the Secretary-General further, in carrying out this task, to avail himself of the advice of members of the Population Commission, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme, the specialized agencies and, as appropriate, related non-governmental organizations and experts in population and other relevant matters;

5. Recommends, in view of the growing commitment of the developing countries, increased efforts by the international community to mobilize resources, as called for in recommendations 79 and 82 of the International Conference on Population, for meeting the increasing need of the developing countries for assistance for population activities;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Economic and Social Council, through the Population Commission and, as appropriate, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme, reports on the substantive and technical aspects of the monitoring of population trends and policies, and of multilateral population assistance, and an overview of population activities within the United Nations system;

7. Invites the Population Commission, at its twenty-fourth session, to review those reports and to transmit its views thereon to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1987.