CONTINUING COVERAGE ON EECA YOUTH CONFERENCES AND OPENING OF REGIONAL OFFICE IN ISTANBUL
Multiple media outlets reported on 16-25 May on the recent UNFPA Regional conference, "Investing in Young People - the path of accelerated development,” and the recent opening of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office in Istanbul. Several outlets noted that UNFPA announced changes in its relationship with Russia during the conference. UNFPA Regional Director Thea Fierens noted that UNFPA’s work in Russia will concentrate efforts on technical assistance, rather than development programmes. UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin said, "For UNFPA Russia is very important and plays a strategic role in our work," and noted that he expects to visit Russia to discuss UNFPA assistance and demographic issues in the coming months. Read: Today’s Zaman. Read in Russian: Regions.RU, InRight, Euromag, Kreml and Interfax-Russia.Ru
YEMEN: Youth, Media and Reproductive Health in a Workshop in Sana’a
Al-Thawrah reported on 25 May on a three-day workshop that brought 30 young people from eight governorates to discuss the media’s perspective on reproductive health issues concerning youth. The workshop was organized by For All Foundation with the support of UNFPA and the cooperation of Save the Children Yemen. Read in Arabic: Al Thawra
ARMENIA: Parliament Member Refers to UNFPA Study in Address on Poverty
Lragir.am reported on 24 May on Parliament Member Viktor Dallakyan's public address on the issue of poverty. He noted that recent UNFPA studies contain evidence that there is widespread poverty in Armenia. Read in Armenian: Lriagir.am
VIET NAM: Vietnamese Parents Say One Child Is Enough
Viet Nam Net and VNA reported on 25 May that many young couples now prefer small families. UNFPA Assistant Representative Tran Thi Van said that the double income one kid trend, which has played out in many developed nations, was now making headway in Viet Nam. Financial burdens and pressures, the result of modern life in big cities, are given as the cause for the move towards having just one child. "Obviously, bringing up a child the best way possible makes young couples exhausted and hesitant to have more kids," she says. Read: Viet Nam Net
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UNFPA Supports Civil Society To Tackle Early Pregnancy
Tele-Congo reported on 25 May on a workshop jointly organized by the civil society organization Femmes Vaillantes du Congo and UNFPA to address early pregnancy. In the presence of Martin Itoua, President of the National Network of Congolese NGOs, UNFPA Representative David Lawson stressed the importance of the involvement of civil society organizations to reduce the number of unwanted and early pregnancies, including through family planning, in order to reduce maternal mortality. He said, "Sex must no longer be a taboo. In this world, sex is present everywhere and youth is particularly active. Therefore parents should not fear to discuss reproductive health issues and should provide them information and advice. Watch in French: Tele-Congo
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UN Women Might Open An Office In Brazzaville
Le Journal de Brazza and Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 24 and 25 May on the visit of Communication Minister Bienvenu Okiemy to UN Women Deputy Executive Dreictor, Lakshmi Puri, on the sidelines of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Gender UN Theme Group Chair and UNFPA Representative David Lawson also participated in the meeting. Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville and Le Journal de Brazza