Closing Remarks
by
Mr. Fukusaburo Maeda
Chairman,
Asian Population and Development Association (APDA)


l wish to thank the distinguished participants of this meeting for engaging" in enthusiastic discussion for the last two days. Having had the honor of participation by His Excellency President Ramos In the opening ceremony, I believe that this year's meeting has been a memorable event for the parliamentarians from various countries. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated cooperation of the organizers in the Philippines, including Honorable Senator Shahani. As a result of the efforts made by all the participating parliamentarians, the Manila Resolution was officially adopted at this year's meeting, I offer my hearty congratulations. The Manila Resolution is a fruit of all the efforts that were made in Asia with regard to the women's Issues in response to discussions that have taken place since the 10th Asian Parliamentarians Meeting on Population and Development In 1994 until this meeting At the same time, it Is a significant result that takes Into consideration the discussions in the International Conference of Parliamentarians on Population and Development in Cairo, the International Meeting of Parliamentarians on Population and Social Development in Copenhagen, the Indochina Women's Conference, the AFPPD Women's Committee Meeting, which was held last year in Manila, and the International Meeting of Parliamentarians on Gender, Population and Development In Tokyo. This Resolution also sums up all discussions that have taken place among the more than 600 parliamentarians from over 2_50 participating countries. It is also a concentrated "Resolution" for solving the issues of women, gender, population and development that have taken place around the world in the last three years. It would be an extraordinary pleasure for us, as the sponsor of this meeting, if this Resolution could be personally handed over to your governments by you, and contribute to solving the issues of population and development in Asia. We also have a roundtable discussions on the second day to prepare for the World Food Summit which will be held by the FAO in November of this year In Rome. It makes the first step taken by Asia to address the issue of Population and Food Security -- an Issue that will determine the fate of humanity.

Population and food Is a very important Issue on which the survival of human race rests; it is also an Issue that cannot be solved without the effort and cooperation of all of you to whom the administration has been committed by the people of your respective countries. Although we, the Asian Population and Development Association, are a small organization, we will continue to make further efforts to support your activities.