World Summit for Children (Hansard, 18 July 1994)

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the 1994 United Nations Children's Fund report, "The Progress of Nations"; and to what extent he considers the report to be an accurate assessment of the objectives set out in the 1990 summit for the world's children and the progress made in achieving those objectives.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
"The Progress of Nations" is an interesting and encouraging account of real achievements by developing countries. It also highlights, however, those areas, such as the elimination of neonatal tetanus and improvements in child rights, where more work remains to be done.
An assessment of progress towards achievement of the summit's goals is expected to be made in the mid-decade review next year.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has(a) to increase contributions to UNICEF and (b) to press for a greater proportion of UNICEF's expenditure to be spent on meeting the objectives set out in the 1990 summit for the world's children.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
Our core contribution to UNICEF in 1994–95 will be £8.5 million. In addition, we will continue to consider each UNICEF appeal for supplementary and other funding on its merits.
A mid-decade review of progress on the world summit for children will be made to the United Nations Secretary-General. Progress on the summit's goals is a matter not simply of asking UNICEF to devote more resources but of ensuring a concerted effort by donors, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and, above all, national Governments, to achieve the goals.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the procedures for monitoring the achieving of the objectives set out at the summit for the world's children in 1990.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
Agencies of the United Nations take the lead in monitoring performance in respect of ale goals established at the 1990 world summit for children. These agencies produce regular reports which measure progress in such areas as child health, basic education and child protection.