INSTRUCTIONS -- UNGA SECOND COMMITTEE RESOLUTION

UNCLAS STATE 164390 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC UN UNGA KWMN SOCI SUBJECT: INSTRUCTIONS -- UNGA SECOND COMMITTEE RESOLUTION ON "WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT." ¶1. Action on "Women in Development" is expected either on Thursday, December 6 or Friday, December 7. ¶2. Paragraphs of concern. -- PP 2 reaffirms the outcomes of the Beijing Conference on Women and its five-year follow-up sessions. -- PP 5 contains the term "sexual and reproductive health." -- PP 11 begins with "Recognizing further, in this context, the importance of respect for all human rights, including the right to development ...". -- OP 21 reiterates the language of subparagraph 57(g) of the World Summit Outcome Document. ¶3. Instructions for USDEL. Mission should join consensus on the resolution with an Explanation of Position. Mission can draw on the following points for the U.S. Statement. BEGIN POINTS. For PP 2, PP 5, and OP 21. -- The U.S. understands that there is international consensus that none of the wording in this resolution creates any rights and, in particular, does not create or recognize a right to abortion. The wording cannot be interpreted to constitute support, endorsement, or promotion of abortion or the use of abortifacients. For PP 11. -- The U.S. understands that PP 11 does not imply that States must implement obligations under human rights instruments to which they are not a Party. Of course, the U.S. joins in the call for full and urgent implementation by States of obligations under instruments to which they are Parties. -- Moreover, the U.S. understands the term "right to development" to mean that each individual should enjoy the right to develop his or her own intellectual or other capacities to the maximum extent possible through the exercise of the full range of civil and political rights. For OP 21. -- OP 21 reiterates the language of subparagraph 57(g) of the World Summit Outcome Document. Unfortunately, the UN Secretariat has sometimes attempted to define implementation SIPDIS of this and other such commitments without the agreement of all Member States. -- The U.S. understands that there is an international consensus that the language in OP 21 does not create, recognize, or support a new goal, target, or indicator within the internationally agreed goals known as the Millennium Development Goals. This language is identical to language in the World Summit Outcome Document, a carefully negotiated and well crafted document that sought to balance strongly held views. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that respect for this delicate balance be maintained. To this end, it is important to reaffirm that the objective set forth in subparagraph 57(g) of the World Summit Outcome Document was seen as a means of achieving the goal of reducing maternal mortality and other MDG goals, rather than being a goal in and of itself. -- There are many elements that will be necessary to achieve the goals of reducing maternal mortality, increasing maternal health, reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, combating HIV/AIDS, and eradicating poverty. For instance, increased attention must also be paid to preventable and/or treatable conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis, upper respiratory infections, and immunizable diseases. -- While neither these objectives nor the health objective in OP 21 constitutes a goal, target, or indicator in the context of the MDGs, all are important to achieving the goals aimed at reducing maternal mortality, increasing maternal health, reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, combating HIV/AIDS, and eradicating poverty. END POINTS. RICE