Successfully meeting population goals. Islamic Republic of Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved success in attaining several population goals noted H.E. A. Arabmazar, head of that country's delegation to the 53rd session of the Commission. During the last decade "the infant mortality rate declined from 44/1000 to 26/1000 live births. Life expectancy rose from 61 to 68 years and the literacy rate increased from 62.2% to 85%," he informed the Commission. Further, the population growth rate has declined from 3.2% to 1.7%, he added. Another Iranian representative at the Senior Officials segment of the meeting said that poverty alleviation measures implemented in recent years by the Government have dramatically reduced the incidence of poverty. The number of people living below the poverty line has fallen to 17% of the total population compared with 47% at the end of the decade of the 1970s. Among the measures implemented by the country is the provision of health care, including a very successful family planning program. Others are human resources development and creating productive employment opportunities. "Sustained employment is a major means of poverty alleviation," said the Iranian delegate. "It is essential that programs of human resources development aim at enabling the poor to become qualified for employment opportunities. Moreover, greater attention should be given to the expansion and improvement of social services and the empowerment and capability building of the poor." Currently, a poverty alleviation bill is being discussed by the Parliament and, if it is ratified, will be implemented from 1997.