Issued by the economic research; planning and population division economic development and cooperation department

Abstract

The Organization of African Unity (OAU) upholds the global view that population is an important factor of development as, indeed, man remains at the' center of development. It also recognizes that the ultimate goal of any development plan should be the improvement of the quality of life. In the light of the above, the OAU has been endeavoring to encourage Member States to formulate and implement appropriate national population policies, taking into account global and regional population and development frameworks. Recently, the OAU has facilitated the establishment of the African Population Commission, which as a permanent institution, is responsible for coordinating population activities in. the region as well as raising population issues on the agenda of the Assembly of Heads of States and Government and the Council of Ministers. To this, one might add that population constitutes an important chapter in the Treaty establishing the African Economic community. The OAU Population Newsletter is published every six months. It is a forum for new ideas and exchange of views on population and development matters. I therefore welcome contributions, comments and suggestions from Member States, population institutions and individuals. Popular participation is our motto for the success of the Newsletter