A/RES/S-21/2 Page 4 immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic has led to rises in mortality in many countries, in particular in sub-Saharan Africa. Mortality and morbidity among adults and children from infectious, parasitic and waterborne diseases, such as tuberculosis, malaria and schistosomiasis, continue to take their toll. Maternal mortality and morbidity remain unacceptably high. Adolescents remain particularly vulnerable to reproductive and sexual risks. Millions of couples and individuals still lack access to reproductive health information and services. An increase in adult mortality, especially among men, is a matter of special concern for countries with economies in transition and some developing countries. The impact of the financial crises in countries of Asia and elsewhere, as well as the long-term and large-scale environmental problems in Central Asia and other regions, is affecting the health and well-being of individuals and limiting progress in implementing the Programme of Action. Despite the goal of the Programme of Action of reducing pressures leading to refugee movements and displaced persons, the plight of refugees and displaced persons remains unacceptable. 11. Achieving the goals and objectives of the Programme of Action will require sufficient domestic and external resources, committed government action and effective, transparent partnerships. In order to implement further the Programme of Action, a number of financial, institutional and human-resource constraints must be overcome. Implementing the key actions of the present document and addressing the full range of recommendations of the Programme of Action will require greater political commitment, development of national capacity, increased international assistance and increased domestic resources. Effective priority-setting, within each national context, is an equally critical factor for the successful implementation of the Programme of Action. 12. In implementing and taking forward the Programme of Action, an integrated approach should be adopted towards policy design, development planning, service delivery, research and monitoring to utilize scarce resources for greater added value and to promote intersectoral coordination. 13. The present document draws on the results and findings of intergovernmental reviews under the auspices of the United Nations, including the annual and quinquennial review and appraisal by the Commission on Population and Development and meetings and reports of the United Nations regional commissions regarding progress made and constraints faced in the implementation of the Programme of Action. 14. In recommending the key actions contained in the present document, Governments affirm their renewed and sustained commitment to the principles, goals and objectives of the Programme of Action. Governments and civil society at the national level, in partnership with the international community, should join in efforts to ensure that the goals and objectives of the International Conference on Population and Development are accomplished as soon as possible, with special attention to those that should be met within the twenty-year time-frame of the Programme of Action. II. POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS A. Population, economic development and the environment 15. Governments should: (a) Intensify efforts to equip planners and decision makers with a better understanding of the relationships among population, poverty, gender inequity and inequality, health, education, the environment, financial and /...