STATEMENT DELIVERED ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. ANDRIES OOSTHUIZEN, PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, IN SUPPORT OF THE UNDP/UNFPA 2006-2010 COUNTRY PROGRAMME FOR THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (New York, 26 January 2006)

Mr. President,

As this is the first time that I am taking the floor, let me congratulate you and the Bureau on the excellent manner in which you have been concluding the proceedings of the Board.

I take this opportunity to speak on behalf of the members and observers of the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board who are members of the Group of G77 and China. The Group is supportive of the work by the UNDP/UNFPA in their various forms, including at the country level, assisting developing countries, at their request, in meeting their development challenges. We are also appreciative to our donor partners, whose contributions are critical in helping developing countries to achieve their development goals.

Also allow me to thank and congratulate Ms Obaid for the report presented today, as well as for the guidance she has provided to the UNFPA during the past year. We are looking forward to continue working with her.

Mr President,

My intervention is made following statements made by others relating to the new country programme for the People's Republic of China.

With regard to this new programme designed for China, we would like to indicate our support to this programme. It is our believe that UNFPA's presence in a country, which has a 1.3 billion population, in itself has great significance. We appreciate UNFPA's cooperation with the government of China. The reproductive health activity supported by UNFPA has resulted in changes in many aspects in China. While the messages of the ICPD has been widely publicized and rooted in geographical areas where UNFPA is working, the client-centered service not only provided choices to many ordinary people, particularly women, but also improved the reproductive health situation in these areas. Although the program is small, ($4.5 million a year), the impact is felt by many.

The Chinese program assisted by UNFPA, is in full conformity with the principles of the ICPD, monitored by external experts, and is helping China to achieve the goals set out in the ICPD. The programme has contributed to the improvement of reproductive health and family planning services, strengthened the capacity of family planning workers and has enhanced the access of women to quality services and informed choices.

Based on the past experience achieved from the implementation of reproductive health activities on the ground, the new Program for China was carefully designed, developed and focused on issues such as reproductive health services, HIV/AIDS prevention and control, aging, south-south cooperation and gender. The program incorporated comments and recommendations from all stakeholders, technical experts, implementing agencies, including research institutions and NGOs from China and abroad.

The new program for the People's Republic of China reflects the principles of the ICPD Plan of Action, and the activities of the country program are within the mandate of UNFPA. The program not only fits the priority of the government, but also target grassroots people whom are in desperate need of such reproductive health care. UNFPA's support to the people in the communities provides the opportunity to improve their reproductive health. This rights based country program deserves our strong support.

I thank you.