UNFPA clarifies

UNFPA clarifies

I always value the sense of fair judgment of your editorial staff in quoting news resources and also their high commitment in presenting accurate information to the readers. However, I would like to clarify some statements from a news excerpt on Feb. 9, 2002 of the National Scene section. The excerpt mentioned that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is overseen by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and that the government has lobbied UNDP for increased aid for family planning programs.

Last week's visit of the Head of the Indonesian National Family Planning Board (BKKBN) to New York was to attend an executive board meeting of the UNFPA, whose Executive Director is Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. The UNFPA and UNDP are separate institutions. Similar to other United Nations agencies (UNICEF, ILO, WHO, etc.), UNFPA is an independent institution. Our mandate is to promote reproductive health including family planning matters. Hence our resources and our institution are not under the control of UNDP.

Our institution is the world's largest multilateral source of population assistance, which began in 1969. We have been a close partner with the Indonesian government since 1971 through our support of its family planning program, reproductive health and population programs. During our operation in Indonesia, our aid has reached US$105 million.

I would very much appreciate if you could correct the misconception that UNFPA is managed under the UNDP.

NIA PRATIWI

Advocacy Program Coordinator

UNFPA

Jakarta Office

Thank you for your correction. -- Editor