"Implementation of commitments on the least developed countries"

"The Inter-Parliamentary Union shares the view of this conference that progress in the least developed counties (LDCs) is occurring, but at too slow a pace", said the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Mrs. Anne S. Makinda, addressing the High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, in September, on behalf of the world organization of parliaments.

She mentioned that "what is needed is both a qualitative and quantitative leap forward if we are to raise living standards and lower inequalities in countries where the vast majority of people still go without basic necessities and are simply denied the opportunity to make a decent living, send their children to school, fight disease, live in peace and in a clean and safe environment, and participate in decision-making".

As a member of parliament from Tanzania, one of the 50 LDCs, Mrs. Makinda explained how, at the parliamentary level, "we can advance the Brussels Programme of Action in the next five years and beyond". For the world organization of parliaments, the crux of the matter is that the LDCs will only be able to mobilize their own human, natural, and financial resources for development, and make the best of external support, when their principal decision-making organ - parliament - assumes its rightful role in the development process. Mrs. Makinda went on to say that in spite of some progress in recent years – with more regular and fairer elections, and an overall improvement in the performance of parliaments – LDC parliaments are still very far from being able to exercise effective oversight of government action as well as their legislative and budgetary roles. Distortions in the political process have thus affected the economic and social spheres, explaining at least in part why income poverty remains basically the same as five years ago in most LDCs, in spite of higher economic growth.

"Parliaments in many LDCs continue to be faced with a series of grave difficulties among which is the overbearing attitude of the executive branch, sometimes backed by the military. Indeed, many LDC parliaments continue to endure the legacy of rubber stamping. They are also plagued by inefficient practices and working methods and lack of cooperation with civil society. There is also a disconnect between the people and their representatives and the latter are not always seen as articulating the interests of the former. In addition, independent media organizations, properly acquainted with parliamentary procedures, are scarce, making it difficult to have a balanced and fair view of parliamentary proceedings", said Mrs. Makinda.

Underlying all this is a lack of resources and skills to empower parliaments and their members. Resources are critically needed to acquaint newly-elected parliamentarians with the rudiments of their job, hire qualified support staff for constituency and legislative offices, build infrastructure like parliamentary libraries and research services, and enable parliaments to broadcast what goes on within their walls to the public outside. In this connection, the potential offered by the new information and communication technologies still needs to be harnessed with a view to greater efficiency. The international community needs to increase its technical assistance to parliaments as a share of total funding. Donors must be more focused on the critical role of parliaments in the further development of the LDCs and in the achievement of the goals of the Brussels Programme. It is crucial that funds earmarked for building the capacities of parliaments be given to and managed directly by them, thus facilitating their transition toward greater independence from the executive branch. This does not preclude the need to ensure accountable management of such resources.

Mrs. Makinda also stressed that "we should not underestimate the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation at the regional level, which in some cases is already bearing fruits. We need to help parliaments learn from one another, compare experiences, and exchange information on best legislative practices and policies. Parliaments should also be seen increasingly as forums that can assist in peace-building and conflict resolution in those LDCs that are either prone to or are emerging from conflict. She concluded her speech by pledging that the IPU would continue to support LDC parliaments with its expertise and by mobilizing additional resources in partnership with the United Nations.

 

	SESSION OF PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE ON WTO IN DECEMBER Members of the Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization (WTO), urged the members of the WTO to demonstrate strong political will to resume trade negotiations without further delay. The Parliamentary Conference on the WTO brings together members of parliament who specialize in trade issues and is convened by the IPU and the European Parliament. Meeting at The House of Parliaments, in September, the Committee noted that the decision taken in July this year to suspend the WTO negotiations has effectively dashed all hopes for the Doha Round to be concluded by the end of 2006. This situation has been a wake-up call for political decision-makers and legislators call upon the United States, the European Union, the G20 members of developing countries, and others to play a constructive role in achieving this objective and to deliver an outcome that is centred on development. The Parliamentary Conference will meet in Geneva on 1 and 2 December 2006 to assess the benefits of the WTO negotiations to all countries and how they meet their development objectives. Visit our webpage on Annual 2006 session of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO

 

	JAPAN RESPONDS TO IPU APPEAL FOR AFRICA The IPU thanked the Japanese delegation to the IPU for taking action to follow up on the call that was made at the 114th IPU Assembly in Nairobi for urgent food relief to combat drought-induced famine and poverty in Africa. The Japanese Government has decided to provide assistance to the Horn of Africa region, and specifically 550 million Japanese yen (approximately US$ 4.79 million) will go to Kenya to buy an estimated 7,407 tonnes of rice and 330 million Japanese yen (US$ 2.88) will be given to Uganda to buy an estimated 4,226 tonnes of rice. Both aid packages are expected to be provided through the World Food Programme (WFP).