Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development

Email Information Service

March-April 2004

Study Visit of New Zealand and Pacific Parliamentarians

Parliamentarians from New Zealand and the Pacific conducted a study
tour of Indo-China countries in April. They first visited Vietnam followed by
Cambodia and finished their trip in Bangkok before returning home. Three
members of parliament from New Zealand, one from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and
Samoa received first hand knowledge about the HIV/AIDS situation during their
two-day visit to Bangkok from 21-22 April. Whilst in Bangkok the group was
briefed by three agencies that are integral in the HIV/AIDS cause in Thailand.
On their first day they were briefed by Mr. Montri Pekana, Deputy Executive
Director of Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT) on the situation
of HIV/AIDS in Thailand, the efforts made by the government and other agencies
and the prevention and treatment strategies. The work of PPAT on HIV/AIDS was
the important topics discussed. Later that evening Senator Meechai Viravaidya,
Chairman of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) spoke to
the parliamentarians on PDA’s work and the strategies taken that deal with the
issues. He emphasized that special focus needs to be given to young people and
that the message of HIV/AIDS and use of condom be distributed, citing many
examples on the effort that PDA has done in promoting condom use and education.
The following day Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, HIV/AIDS and STI Adviser of UNFPA/CST
briefed the parliamentarians. He gave them the dynamics of HIV/AIDS in Thailand
and nearby countries. Mr. Tony Lisle, Team Leader of UNAIDS and Mr. Tony Bates
of APLF briefed them on the UNAIDS projects and it’s impact and their work in
promoting political commitment through APLF. They later went to the parliament
for lunch hosted by the Senate Standing Committee on Public Health, under the
Chairmanship of Dr. Virapong Skolkitvat and General Panya Yoonprasert,
First-Chair at this point they were given information on the work of the Senate
Standing Committee and monitoring of HIV/AIDS Programme. They were also
informed about the Tambon leaders education and training in HIV/AIDS supported
by AFPPD.


Shin Sakurai Addresses FAO Regional Workshop


Mr. Shin Sakurai, MP Japan Chairman of the AFPPD Standing Committee
on Food Security was invited to a two-day Regional Workshop that was jointly
organised by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Regional Office for Asia
and the Pacific (FAO-RAP) and SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and
Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) from 25-26 March 2004 in Cha-Am, Thailand. The
Workshop was on Policy Issues and Investment Options to Avert Hunger and Food
Insecurity in Asia and it’s primarily aim was to expand and strengthen the
regional alliance against hunger by addressing the policy and institutional
dimensions of agricultural and rural development. Mr. Shin Sakurai was
accompanied by Mr. Osamu Kusumoto, Assistant Secretary General, APDA. He
addressed the workshop on the opening day.



Mr. Sultan Aziz, Director of APD UNFPA Visits Bangkok and AFPPD


Mr. Sultan Aziz, New Director of the Asia-Pacific Division of UNFPA
was in Bangkok and met officers of UNESCAP, UNESCO, UNFPA. He also visited
office of the AFPPD and discussed programme for the coming year.



Fourth Council Meeting of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on
Population and Development – Ankara, Turkey


The 4th Council Meeting of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on
Population and Development was held in Ankara, Turkey from 1-2 April at the
Grand National Assembly of Turkey with a visit to Istanbul for the delegates
from 3-4 April. It was addressed by Ms. Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive
Director of UNFPA and Mr. Steve Sinding, Director General of IPPF. Representing
AFPPD was Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary General of AFPPD.
(Details in AFPPD Newsletter)



Mr. Sang Guowei of China attends 60th Session of UNESCAP in
Shanghai, China

The 60th Session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific (ESCAP) was held in Shanghai, China from the 22nd to the 28th of
April. The theme of the meeting was ‘Meeting the Challenges in an Era of
Globalisation by Strengthening Regional Development Cooperation.’ Discussions
focused upon regional, economic and social situations, poverty alleviation and
globalisation.The Asian Forum was represented by one of its Vice Presidents, Dr.
Sang Guowei MP China, who is also NPC Vice-Chairman of the Education, Science,
Culture and Public Health Committee.


APDA Resource Series on Water and Population


Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) Tokyo has
published it’s resource series No. 30 on Global Population and Water in
Japanese. Copies can be obtained from APDA Tokyo email: apdatyoj@....


AFPPD Alumni Becomes Sri Lanka Health Minister


Dr. Nirmal Sripala De Silva, MP of Sri Lanka, who represented AFPPD
at the Ottawa Parliamentarians Conference and a few others, have been
re-elected. He is now appointed as the Minister of Health Care, Nutrition. Mr.
Yoshio Yatsu, Chair of AFPPD has sent a letter of congratulations to Dr. De
Silva.



Philippines March for RH Rights

In April, 12,000 Filipinos holding signs and banners - many of which
bore the slogan ‘A vote for reproductive health is a vote for life,' - rallied
through the streets of Manila in support of reproductive health and rights.
PLCPD, in collaboration with several other NGOs organised the march. Senator
Biazon spoke as the chief guest. Prominent RH leaders including some government
officials (POPCOM) participated in this mass relay. In support of the population
and RH programme are UNFPA along with government, NGOs, international
foundations and AFPPD. PLCPD is a member of AFPPD. The Philippines will have
elections on the 12th of May.



Abortion Rights Protest March in Washington DC - Photo
Over one million pro-choice supporters marched on the 25th of April,
galvanised by what they see as an erosion of reproductive freedoms under
President Bush and policies that hurt women worldwide. The march was led by
entertainment world celebrities and seven organising groups: American Civil
Liberties Union, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Feminist Majority, NARAL
Pro-Choice America, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, National
Organisation for Women, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

A Great Loss for AFPPD and Friends


It is with deep regret that AFPPD informs you of the passing away of
Prof. Ton That Bach. Prof. Ton That Bach, Chairman of IMPO Vietnam died of a
heat attack at 58 years of age, while on a trip to monitor the health care
programme for indigenous and poor people in Northern Vietnam. He has always
been an active participant in AFPPD and IMPO activities through the years. We
would like to send our condolence to his colleagues, friends and family in
Vietnam.



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