NGOs disappointed at lack of representation
in PM's speech

Prior to the 2005 World Summit (14th to 16th September 2005) at the UN, Japanese NGOs submitted a petition to the Prime Minister's office and the Foreign Minister requesting Japan show clear commitment to reproductive health and rights (RH/R) in support of the MDGs.

A core group of five NGOs including JOICFP, as well as 14 other NGOs formed the petition.

In his brief speech before assembled world leaders, Prime Minister Koizumi mentioned that the UN needed to address extreme poverty, fight terrorism, and focus on the human-centered approach of 'human security'. Most of what he said concentrated on the need for UN reform, especially of the Security Council.

The NGO group is disappointed that his speech made no mention of RH/R.

UNFPA

In an open letter to NGOs on 28th September, Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA, said it was "… a major victory…" that the world leaders had in the draft outcomes committed themselves to "… achieving universal access to reproductive health by 2015, as set out at the Cairo ICPD, integrating this goal in strategies to attain the internationally agreed development goals, including those in the Millennium Declaration, aimed at reducing maternal mortality, improving maternal health, reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, combating HIV/AIDS, eradicating poverty."

Obaid asks NGOs to ensure that the commitment is translated into solid plans, programs and action that benefit women, men and young people. NGOs, she says, hold the key to whether commitment announced by leaders will be implemented or not.

NGO commitment

She also asks NGOs to ensure that reproductive health is reflected in national development strategies for implementing the MDGs. To date, Japan has already shown its commitment to RH/R in ODA policy through, for example, the Human Development Initiative, and the Gender and Development Initiative, both announced this year. This commitment is in part due to cooperation between NGOs such as JOICFP and the Japanese government.

In her letter, Obaid stresses that UNFPA wants to work with NGOs, to contribute to the current technical process to incorporate related targets and monitoring indicators under MDG 5 on maternal health.

Eight MDG goals were developed, with 18 targets and 48 indicators. Japanese NGOs as well as those from other countries would like to see another indicator, universal access to RH, added to goal 5.

JOICFP Appeals for Public Views Prior to UN Summit

A joint NGO-MOFA public forum was in held in central Tokyo on 30th August to gather opinions from the general public prior to the UN World Summit 14th to 16th September. Over 130 people attended, including representatives from NGOs and universities.

The forum comprised a plenary session and three group sessions, with discussions based around a document issued by Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General in March 2005. The document entitled "In larger freedom: toward development of security and human rights for all" comprised sections including 'freedom from want', 'freedom from fear', and 'freedom to live in dignity'.

JOICFP gave a presentation emphasizing the importance of promoting reproductive health and rights if the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are to be achieved.