International Work Programme

Note: This is the full text of the work programme for 2004/05 prepared as part of the International Strategy.  It was prepared in early 2004 and therefore some references are to work already undertaken.

The Work Plan for 2004/05 builds on the previous work of the Ministry and reflects the strategy, in particular, the emphasis on those obligations New Zealand has arising from the instruments of the United Nations. The most significant change in the work plan is the omission of work relating to the Gender Focal Point Network (GFPN) in APEC, in which the Ministry has previously been involved.

The work required in relation to key obligations under the United Nations framework means there is limited scope in this year for participation in APEC activity relating to the Gender Focal Point Network, particularly off shore. However, the Ministry will discuss with MFAT the benefits of jointly hosting a workshop for those agencies directly involved in APEC working groups to provide them with an overview of gender analysis and the work of the GFPN. It will also monitor the substantive work programme arising within APEC and identify any issues relevant to the goals set out in this strategy.

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Operational Issues

The Ministry will convene a meeting in October 2004 of those who attended the Minister’s meeting in July in order to establish the International Caucus and to discuss the draft Working Protocol for the Caucus and other issues relevant to working collectively to enhance New Zealand’s contribution to international fora.

The Ministry will also develop a communication strategy for international issues arising in the 2004/05 year. The strategy will ensure effective communication of information relevant to the Ministry’s responsibilities in relation to international issues and ensure effective dissemination and sharing of resources relating to international fora. It will also define processes for ensuring currency of information, such as that posted on the website.

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Key Events

The work programme for the Ministry in this financial year reflects the fact that New Zealand must address a number of international responsibilities in relation to women in that time. In particular, these relate to:

• 49th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CDW), March 2005
• contributing to New Zealand’s report to the Major Event
• preparing for submission of the sixth CEDAW report

Commission on the Status of Women
New Zealand does not always attend CSW and most recently participated by completing a written questionnaire prepared by the Commission. However, as 2005 is the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Platform we will attend the 49th session of the Commission. MFAT is responsible for the statement made by New Zealand to the Commission and the Ministry will work with MFAT to co-ordinate the contribution New Zealand makes to the session. The contribution will address the review of implementation of the Beijing Platform of Action and current challenges and forward looking strategies for the advancement and empowerment of women and girls.

Participation in such a forum provides New Zealand with an opportunity to assess its own progress in relation to implementation of the Platform of Action and to learn from the experiences of other nations. The review undertaken by the CSW and its appraisal of progress in implementing the Beijing Platform of Action will identify achievements, gaps and challenges that remain. It will also indicate those areas that require most urgent attention in order to implement the Beijing Platform of Action further.

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CEDAW
New Zealand’s sixth report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is due to be presented in 2006. To meet this timeframe it will be necessary to begin developing the report in the course of this financial year. In particular, it is important to develop a response to the recommendations made by the CEDAW committee following consideration of the fifth report as to further actions New Zealand could take to meet its CEDAW obligations.

The Ministry will develop a joint Cabinet paper with MFAT to seek Cabinet approval of the process to develop the CEDAW response, the government response to the recommendations arising from the fifth CEDAW report and the key themes for the sixth report. It is proposed that the paper be presented to the Cabinet meeting of 6 December 2004.

Membership of CEDAW has changed since the presentation of New Zealand’s fifth report, due to recent elections of members. The Ministry, therefore, proposes to work with MFAT to develop a strategy for presenting the report and to develop an understanding of the way in which the Committee will operate and the issues it will likely raise, in light of its new membership.

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United Nations Major Event
A Major Event is scheduled in September 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. Its focus will be wide ranging, including review of the structure and processes of the United Nations itself, but it will also review progress in relation to a number of specific international agreements, in particular the Millennium Development Goals. 2005 is also the 10 th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Platform of Action so New Zealand’s report to the Major Event will address issues relevant to implementation of the Platform of Action.

MFAT is responsible for co-ordinating New Zealand’s report to the Major Event and is seeking to develop a draft document by May 2005. The Ministry will not attend the Major Event but will liaise with MFAT to ensure that those issues relevant to the interests and well-being of women are included in the report. In particular, the Ministry will focus on promoting recognition of the inter-dependence between the Millennium Development Goals and the Platform of Action and on ensuring that the focus on the Millennium Development Goals does not displace the effort that has to date been focused on the Beijing Platform of Action.

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