It is therefore only natural and also pleasing to note the significant efforts being placed to satisfy the needs of both sexes, including notably through the physical care of women, particularly during pregnancy, and also through studies, and civil society actions, in order to arrive at optimal standards regarding the treatment of women and male-counseling. Yet another key feature deserves special mention. This is the fact that the programmes are largely implemented utilizing local expertise and talent. This provides testimony to the tremendous human resources capabilities existing in Algeria, singularly the most valuable resource of any nation. My pleasure is all the more great when I take stock of the impressive results that have already been attained.
Much work remains to be done in order to address current maternal and infant mortality rates.
And I am fully confident that it is simply a matter of time to successfully attain the ICPD goals in their respect too, taking into account the impressive track record of achievements. This could not have been possible without the seriousness of purpose, combined with the hard work, of colleagues in the Ministry of Health and Population as well as in the Population Directorate. My heartiest congratulations to you all, as well as our project collaborators present here today who so responsibly, conscientiously and faithfully carried out their duties. Finally, I hope that the present financial constraints we are facing only represent a temporary set-back to our mutual endeavours. I note that in some instances staff of the Population Directorate, together with my Algiers Country Office staff, are visiting project installations together with interested potential collaborators amongst the international community, in order to mobilize additional resources.