UNITED NATIONS, New York -The Swedish Government yesterday announced its decision to grant a further 20 million Swedish kronor (approximately $2.1 million) to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The country's contribution for 2002 will thus increase from 165 million Swedish kronor (SKr) to 185 million SKr.

"We cannot accept UNFPA's important efforts to improve women's rights and reproductive health being undermined by the United States' decision to withdraw its support to the organization," said Jan. O. Karlsson, Sweden's Minister for Development Cooperation, Migration and Asylum Policy in a statement. The United States Administration announced its decision last July to withhold $34 million appropriated for UNFPA by Congress.

"Efforts to prevent unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, deaths in childbirth, venereal diseases and increased child mortality will now be impeded," Mr. Karlsson said. "By increasing Sweden's support to UNFPA, we hope to help change this disturbing situation. Sweden has actively contributed to the increased focus on issues relating to gender equality, sexuality and HIV/AIDS in the United Nations and other forums. We must do what we can to safeguard the progress that has been made."

Sweden joins the Netherlands and New Zealand in making additional contributions to UNFPA for 2002.

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UNFPA is the world's largest multilateral source of population assistance, with programmes in 140 countries in 2001. Since it became operational in 1969, the Fund has provided some $5.6 billion to developing countries to meet reproductive health needs and support sustainable development.

Contact Information:

Abubakar Dungus
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5031
Email: dungus@unfpa.org