These areas are clearly more able to offer sanitary, safe, and habitable environments. A major strategy employed the government has been to slow the population growth trend. Toward that end, a National Health and Population Council has been established. Aggressive Family Planning and related health education programs have targeted this area. Data based evaluations have been undertaken to monitor program success.
Preliminary findings are encouraging.
A study undertaken under the direction of the World Health Organization indicates a dramatic decline in the number of actual births in the Republic from 1988 to 1993, with a concurrent decrease in the crude birth rate. This finds was in direct opposition to census projections for the crude birth rate and actual number of births to increase substantially during this five year period. Another survey was initiated under the direction of the United Nations Family Planning Agency in 1994. Relatedly, the crude birth rate is reported at 43.1 births per 1,000 population 1994 study, down from 49.4 births per 1,000 reported in the 1988 census. Mr. President, In conclusion let us hope that this conference will give renewed impetus to the efforts to clean up the radioactive wastes and contamination that is threatening our further sustainable development and the sustainability of our human settlements.