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