Resolution on Poverty Alleviation
16th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA – PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
21 – 24 January 2008, Auckland, New Zealand
Resolution on Poverty Alleviation
APPF16/RES/13
(Sponsored by Indonesia, New Zealand, Russia, and Viet Nam)
THE SIXTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM,
Recognizing that poverty alleviation is imperative for the economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region and is essential for sustainable human development;
Emphasizing that poverty is a global problem and its solution relies on coordination between national, regional and international anti-poverty programs and noting that a dualistic economy contributes to the persistence of poverty, particularly in developing nations;
Noting that despite some spectacular progress in recent decades, poverty remains the most pressing issue facing Asia and the Pacific today;
Noting that Goal 1 of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals is to halve the proportion of people living on less than one dollar a day and the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015;
Urging APPF member parliaments to support the recommendation on poverty alleviation stipulated in the Millennium Development Goals and to engage developed countries in partnership by providing political and financial assistance;
Recognising that integration between the private and State sectors can play a critical role in providing stable employment opportunities for all, notably the poor, through investing in scientific research and development and innovation systems. Utilising technology can promote competitiveness, and expansion of trade, leading to the creation of employment opportunities that alleviate poverty;
Acknowledging that poverty has a more serious impact on women and children due to their social status, and the empowerment of women through improving access to education and health services, including reproductive health, which are necessary for individual advancement and balanced development;
RESOLVES TO:
- Urge APPF member countries to integrate women's interests and concerns into national social and economic policies and reforms on the basis of gender equality;
- Encourage APPF member countries to work cooperatively on the key issues including education, health, sustainable livelihoods, trade and development, human rights, governance, and leadership, which enable and empower developing countries and their people to live a sustainable and safe life;
- Recommend the implementation of debt swap and debt reduction programmes amongst the APPF member countries to reduce the burden of the debt ridden developing countries in the framework of poverty alleviation;
- Encourage APPF member countries to recognise the role that combating drug trafficking and corruption play in alleviating poverty; and to work cooperatively to reduce the incidence of these, to improve the likelihood of the people of member countries living safe and sustainable lives.
