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 United nations Development Program (UNDP) and the government has lobbied population aids to UNDP.

The Head of Indonesian National Family Board (BKKBN) visit to New York last week is to attend a UNFPA Executive Board Meeting in which I would like to elucidate that her pledge was directed to UNFPA: Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid as the UNFPA Executive Director. UNFPA and UNDP is a separate institution. 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 its operation in 1969. We have been a close partner with the government of Indonesia since 1971 in helping the government supports Family Planning; Reproductive Health; and Population programs. During its 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

Thankyou for your clarification. -- Editor