Speech at the launch of the United Nations Population Fund 'State of World Population 2007' report
6.15pm, 27 June 2007, West Foyer, Parliament Buildings

Some of you may be asking why the Minister of Energy and Climate Change Issues is accepting a report on behalf of the government, on urbanisation, development and population issues.

The answer is simple – climate change and the fight against global inequalities and poverty, are defining issues of our time. Access to affordable clean energy, and its efficient use, are increasingly recognised as central to sustainable development. History will judge us against the progress we, as a global community, make on these challenges.

They are also issues which are inextricably linked. Environmental issues join us together. We all rely on the environment for food, water and shelter; to regulate the climate and to absorb waste; and as a basis of cultural and spiritual connection.

Poor communities depend on the environment even more directly in their daily lives: the stream for water; the local reef, and the soils where they live, for each day’s food.

Poor people are therefore very vulnerable to changes in their environment and also have limited options for changing the use of their environment. Because of this, progress on both development and climate change depends on the developed world walking in side-by-side with developing countries towards a future that is fair and sustainable for everyone.

There is not an easy road ahead, and in many cases the path is not clear, but it’s a journey that needs our wholehearted support. The challenges are great, and the time to act is now.

This State of the Population report, which I am happy to receive tonight, focuses on one of the issues facing both developed and developing countries: urbanisation. Well-managed urbanisation can bring many benefits, but left unfettered it can bring hardship, suffering, instability and environmental degradation in large and rapid doses.

There are no easy answers to the questions rapid urbanisation brings forward.

If, as predicted, the urban population of the developing world doubles in just one generation – where will these people live? How will they access clean water? How will they build strong communities?

Will urbanisation on this scale be the catalyst for misery and suffering? Or will it be the catalyst for dynamic growth, strong social organisations and environmental sustainability?

Hard questions; and New Zealand, through NZAID, and wider policy decisions is working hard to help our developing country partners find sustainable solutions to the challenges of a changing world.

NZAID has recently published An Environment for International Development – the agency’s policy statement on environment issues within development. The policy focuses on sustainable development; and in practice this means that finding ways to balance a healthy environment with people’s social and economic goals will be central to our aid work. I think that’s important.

And it is being put into practice:

The small Pacific nation of Kiribati comprises 33 atolls spread across 3000 kilometres, with over half of the 100-thousand strong population now living on one small part of Tarawa Atoll.

Rapid population growth is placing significant pressure on the fragile atoll environment and limited resource base and there are problems ranging from overcrowding, environmental degradation and pollution as well as growing levels of alcoholism, violence and youth crime.

NZAID has recently committed to helping the Government of Kiribati to meet this challenge through a Sustainable Towns Programme. The Sustainable Town Programme is the first comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing the wide range of development challenges and problems faced by Kiribati in its urban areas.

Working towards a vision of developing ‘dynamic, liveable and sustainable towns in Kiribati’, New Zealand’s support will help the programme engage urban communities by encouraging them to take a central role in shaping and implementing urban development activities.

NZAID is also assisting Pacific communities to manage urban water supplies, by supporting activities under a regional partnership for improved access to water and sanitation. Pacific countries have identified environmental pressure caused by urban water supply systems as a priority concern. Many countries have problems with losing more water through leakage than is able to be delivered to the tap. This in turn puts unnecessary pressure on limited local water supplies and natural ecosystems.

With NZAID support, SOPAC, (the Secretariat for the Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission) and other regional partners are helping Pacific countries to develop urban water management plans, and to repair and maintain reticulation systems over the long-term.

NZAID and other New Zealand government agencies are also working with Pacific countries to integrate clean and efficiency energy policy into sustainable development plans. I attended an Energy Ministers meeting on this topic in Rarotonga recently, and expect these issues will feature prominently in the Leaders' Forum meeting later this year.

The examples I have spoken of focus on the work New Zealand is doing at the regional or country-to-country level. In the Pacific, we can be very effective in bilateral mode. Our relationships are strong, our connections are many and varied, and it’s the part of the world where, a small country like New Zealand can make a difference.

Further afield it's New Zealand’s strong and unwavering support to the agencies of the United Nations that helps make sure words get put into action and progress is made on global issues.

Our support to this report’s authoring agency, UNFPA, is an example of this commitment. UNFPA is a core-agency partner for NZAID and in-line with the agency’s Multilateral Engagement Strategy we contribute $4 million a year to UNFPA. The reasons for our commitment to is clear when you look at what UNFPA does.
UNFPA promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.
The agency supports countries in using population data, including the rich information contained in this report, for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDs, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect. Our support assists with the delivery of programmes to give poor people access to reproductive health services, including family planning.
I am sure you will agree that New Zealand’s long and enduring support to the agencies of the United Nations, such as UNFPA, is something we should be proud of.
I’d also like to acknowledge the work the NGO that is hosting us tonight – FPAID. FPAID’s work brings a focus on population and sexual and reproductive health issues, here and in the Pacific, and by raising the profile of development in this House through their work with the Parliamentarian’s Group for Population and Development.
Finally, as the report’s title ‘Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth’ suggests, the reward for our action is significant. The untapped potential of these new urban dwellers is surely great. With access to clean water, nutritious food, education and a healthy environment, children will thrive – and can go on to be inventors, political activists, teachers, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs or conservationists – living peaceful and fulfilling lives.

Thank you.