Basis for action

16.14. Activities undertaken at both the subregional and regional levels have been an important aspect of preparations for the Conference. The outcome of subregional and regional preparatory meetings on population and development has clearly demonstrated the importance of acknowledging, alongside both international and national actions, the continuing contribution of subregional and regional action.

Objective

16.15. The objective is to promote implementation of the present Programme of Action at the subregional and regional levels, with attention to specific subregional and regional strategies and needs.

Actions

16.16. Regional commissions, organizations of the United Nations system functioning at the regional level, and other relevant subregional and regional organizations should play an active role within their mandates regarding the implementation of the present Programme of Action through subregional and regional initiatives on population and development. Such action should be coordinated among the organizations concerned at the subregional and regional levels, with a view to ensuring efficient and effective action in addressing specific population and development issues relevant tothe regions concerned, as appropriate.

16.17. At the subregional and regional levels:

1. Governments in the subregions and regions and relevant organizations are invited, where appropriate, to reinforce existing follow-up mechanisms, including meetings for the follow-up of regional declarations on population and development issues;
2. Multidisciplinary expertise should, where necessary, be utilized to play a key role in the implementation and follow-up of the present Programme of Action;
3. Cooperation in the critical areas of capacity-building, the sharing and exchange of information and experiences, know-how and technical expertise should be strengthened with the appropriate assistance of the international community, taking into account the need for a partnership with non-governmental organizations and other major groups, in the implementation and follow-up of the Programme of Action at the regional level;
4. Governments should ensure that training and research in population and development issues at the tertiary level are strengthened, and that research findings and implications are widely disseminated.

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