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 Page 2 of 2 |
Introduction |
UNFPA’s income in 1997 (provisional) totalled $319.9 million: $290.1 million for general resources and $29.8 million for multi-bilateral co-financing activities. This represented a 6 per cent decrease in general resources from the previous year and a 63 per cent increase in resources to multi-bilateral co-financing activities. Approximately 95 per cent of these resources were contributed by Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and Canada. In 1997, a large number of major donors increased their contributions in terms of their national currencies, but unfavourable exchange rates resulted in a decrease in terms of the United States dollar. The resulting loss amounted to $13 million, which in turn translated into an overall decrease in total income by $7.1 million compared to the 1996 total income level of $326.9 million. However, it is important to note that UNFPA’s income over the last five years has increased by 32 per cent for general resources and by 75 per cent for multi-bilateral co-financing arrangements. The overall positive trend has been in direct response to the ICPD Programme of Action. The general outlook for UNFPA’s income in 1998 is positive. Even though some major donors did not increase their financial support for population, the following factors are expected to give impetus to resource mobilization efforts: (a) the focus of the world community in meeting the challenges of the ICPD Programme of Action remains strong; and (b) the fact that the Fund is well positioned to execute an expanded programme of assistance in response to the increasing demands from developing countries for population assistance. Moreover, the response of the private sector for supporting population activities is very encouraging. In particular, there are expectations of support from UNITRUST, a foundation established by Mr. Ted Turner for the benefit of United Nations development efforts, including population. The strong leadership of the Executive Board in the area of resource mobilization is also very promising. It is hoped that the Board will soon make recommendations on the ways and means for establishing a reliable funding mechanism for providing a predictable, adequate and secure resource base for UNFPA. This is absolutely necessary in achieving the far reaching goals agreed to in the ICPD Programme of Action. On the cover: Adolescent mother with child. The needs of such mothers present a growing challenge in many UNFPA programme countries.
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| Foreword | Introduction | UNFPA in 1997 | Programme Priorities | |