resources, we can'ttalk about population or its quality in a meaningful way. Th
ere is no running away from the fact that Parliamentarians have to tackle the p
opulation numbers and disproportionate consumption patterns and wastage, if one
is to seriously address water resources, or food security or environmental iss
ues. Population numbers and rate of increase in population is one key factor af
fecting all other considerations.
The origins of the Parliamentary movement on population and development was in
Asia. This is the region that has consistently built on its records and has hel
ped to expand the parliamentary movement to the other parts of the world. We co
ngratulate you for addressing systematically not only the question of populatio
n numbers but also all of the related issues. You have not only obtained the in
volvement of official Parliamentary groups, but have also helped respective gov
ernments to appreciate the dynamics, and inter-relationship of population to ot
her aspects of life, such as food, water, environment etc..
The last two days discussion have touches on many important issues linking wate
r resources to the global environment, agricultural development and safe drinki
ng water and the consequences to the health of the nation. These are important
issues which policy makers in this part of the world have to consider as they m
ove into the next century.
I believe we have had a very productive and beneficial discussion, which now ne
eds to be further reinforced at the national level. Only by addressing these fr
om the regional to the national levels, can we look forward to the better manag
ement of water resources, which will inevitably mean a closer look at the dynam
ics of population, both in terms of its numbers and growth rates.
While congratulating you on a successful meeting, may I also offer a suggestion
for the future. The Asian Parliamentarian as a group has come a long way. It m
ay now need to shift gears by moving into a new phase. This must be a phase whe
re each national parliamentary group begins a process of strategic thinking - o
r what population and population relates issues are of most concern to them - s
o that the APDA can address them systematically and thus be of immediate and di
rect help. By gathering together the key national parliamentarians association
concerns in population and development, the Asian Forum can get a range of issu
es and address them through presentations by internationally identified eminent
scholars on these subjects, and south - south exchange of successful approache
s. To facilitate this dialogue early identification of the subjects to be cover
ed, circulation of papers, and focused comments from other countries with relev
ant experiences, will be of benefit. I believe this will be a further step in t
he right direction.
One again congratulations for productive meeting and wish you all a safe journe
y home.
