Population Plan UN Edited - September 1994

The electronic version of this document is being made available by
the United Nations Population Information Network (POPIN) Gopher of
the Population Division, Department for Economic and Social
Information and Policy Analysis.
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THIS DRAFT DOCUMENT IS UNEDITED AND IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THE
PROGRAMME OF ACTION WILL BE ISSUED AS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT AT A
LATER DATE. (Version: 19 September 1994, Population Division)
PROGRAMME OF ACTION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT*
* This will be issued as an official document at a later
date. This version has not been edited.
19.9.94
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Chapter I
PREAMBLE
1.1. The 1994 International Conference on Population and
Development occurs at a defining moment in the history of
international cooperation. With the growing recognition of global
population, development and environmental interdependence, the
opportunity to adopt suitable macro- and socio-economic policies to
promote sustained economic growth in the context of sustainable
development in all countries and to mobilize human and financial
resources for global problem-solving has never been greater. Never
before has the world community had so many resources, so much
knowledge and such powerful technologies at its disposal which, if
suitably redirected, could foster sustained economic growth and
sustainable development. Nonetheless, the effective use of
resources, knowledge and technologies is conditioned by political
and economic obstacles at the national and international levels.
Therefore, although ample resources have been available for some
time, their use for socially equitable and environmentally sound
development has been seriously limited.1.2. The world has undergone far-reaching changes in the past two
decades. Significant progress in many fields important for human
welfare has been made through national and international efforts.
However, the developing countries are still facing serious economic
difficulties and an unfavourable international economic
environment, and people living in absolute poverty have increasedin many countries. Around the world many of the basic resources on
which future generations will depend for their survival and
well-being are being depleted and environmental degradation is
intensifying, driven by unsustainable patterns of production and
consumption, unprecedented growth in population, widespread and
persistent poverty, and social and economic inequality. Ecological
problems, such as global climate change, largely driven by
unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, are adding to
the threats to the well-being of future generations. There is
emerging global consensus on the need for increased international
cooperation in regard to population in the context of sustainable
development, for which Agenda 21 provides a framework. Much has
been achieved in this respect, but more needs to be done.
1.3. The world population is currently estimated at 5.6 billion.
While the rate of growth is on the decline, absolute increments
have been increasing, presently exceeding 86 million persons per
year. Annual population increments are likely to remain above 86
million until the year 2015. 1/
1.4. During the remaining six years of this critical decade, the
world's nations by their actions or inactions will choose from
among a range of alternative demographic futures. The low, medium
and high variants of the United Nations population projections for
the coming 20 years range from a low of 7.1 billion people to the
medium variant of 7.5 billion and a high of 7.8 billion. The
difference of 720 million people in the short span of 20 years
exceeds the current population of the Afr9.78(Af)10.e2d7.2(7(m)9.6(7(f)10.1de )-12.1dl( Tc(a)0.7(274(ear5.3)10.1de )-12.5(r)]TJ