EQUATORIAL GUINEA:
conclusion of the parliament strengthening project, phase one.

Phase one of this project of assistance to the Equatoguinean Chamber of People's Representatives (CRP) came to a conclusion on 31 July following an IPU end-of-phase mission. The high point of the mission was the presentation of a "Member's Guide", recently published by the IPU for use by members of the country's parliament. The parliament continues to face major challenges in its efforts to modernize. In recognition of those challenges, the IPU, the European Commission and the Parliament have agreed to establish a follow-on project due to commence later in 2007. During this new phase, the IPU will continue to provide training to MPs and parliamentary staff and advisory assistance in a bid to streamline the parliament's functioning and make it responsive to the needs of society.

AFGHANISTAN:
Ongoing consolidation of fledgling parliament

In September 2007, the IPU and UNDP organized a study visit to the German Bundestag for the parliament's finance and administration staff, who had the opportunity to engage with their German counterparts on parliamentary budget preparation and execution issues. The visit also focused on work in connection with the administration of public funds and financial resources, as well as on the structure, areas of responsibility and powers of the parliamentary budget committee.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
modernizing the Federal National Council

The authorities of the United Arab Emirates have embarked on a far-reaching programme to modernize the parliament and bring it in line with the parliaments of democratic States. The Speaker of the Federal National Council having sought IPU assistance in this connection, the IPU sent a team of parliamentary experts to the United Arab Emirates from 9 to 15 June 2007 to assess the functioning of the parliament and make recommendations for improvement. The findings of that mission are currently under consideration by the parliamentary authorities.

TIMOR-LESTE:
preparing the ground for newly elected MPs

The IPU and the United Nations Development Programme organized a week-long orientation seminar in Dili from 27 August for recently elected members of Timor-Leste's parliament. The 65 MPs attending, assisted by resource persons from the parliaments of Mozambique and Namibia as well as from the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste and the United Nations Development Programme for Women, delved into the nuts and bolts of a functioning parliament. Among many other issues, they looked at the role of members as well as issues of parliamentary procedure. The IPU and UNDP will continue to help the newly elected MPs develop the rudiments of a well-functioning parliament in the context of an on going orientation programme.

BURUNDI:
creating a framework for dialogue within the Parliament.

In June 2007, the IPU organized a retreat in Gitega, Burundi, for the key actors of Burundi's parliament. Participants included the leadership of both houses, committee chairs and representatives of women MPs. All the political parties represented in the country's parliament were present at this retreat. Serving as resource persons for the event were MPs from Benin and Burkina Faso. Participants discussed and identified relevant practices and mechanisms to best promote inclusiveness in the functioning of parliament and become a key player in national reconciliation.