The 23 countries represented at the 1972 Second Asian Population Conference adopted a Declaration of population strategy for Development. The action program outlined in this declaration covers areas such as labor utilization, land reform, pollution, planning mechanisms, and family planning. The conference sought to provide a better understanding of the central role of population in the achievement of development goals and to assist governments in determining and applying the most effective means of influencing population trends. The Declaration of Population strategy for Development notes that, while population has a direct effect on development and the human environment, conversely policies in the fields of education, healt, housing, social security, employment, and agriculture also have an impact on population. Thus, integrated national planning and coordinated action are required. Particular attention should be given to the need to bring about a more equitable distribution of income and opportunity. The priority of population and family planning should be recognized through the allocation of broad responsibilities in planning, evaluation, and analysis of programs in these fields to government departments. Information, education, and services that will enable families to realize their aspirations must be available, and small family size should be encouraged through intensive efforts in information and education. Steps should be taken to ensure that all pertinent information reaches policy makers, opinion leaders, and socioeconomic planners. The conference requested that its deliberations be taken into consideration in the drafting of the World Population Plan of Action. It further called upon the 1974 World Population Conference to consider global-level means for addressing the population problem.