More than 300 MPs are expected in Johannesburg for the parliamentary meeting organized by the South African Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on the occasion of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. They will reaffirm ththeir commitment to a more sustainable and equitable world and their intention to bring their influence to bear on the intergovernmental negotiations around the Plan of Implementation and the Political Declaration that the Summit is expected to adopt.

The two-day event entitled Sustainable development : The role of parliaments in ensuring implementation and accountability will take place on the premises of the Sandton Sun Hotel (Maroela Room), on 29 and 30 August 2002, in the presence of the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Dr. Frene Ginwala, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa, Mrs Naledi Pandor, the President of the IPU Council, Dr. Najma Heptulla, and the IPU Secretary General, Mr. Anders B. Johnsson.

The South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Valli Moosa, will deliver a message at the inaugural ceremony.

The parliamentary meeting is open to all MPs attending the World Summit. The members of parliament gathered in Johannesburg will adopt a Declaration outlining their own commitments to further implement Agenda 21, particularly in the key areas of financing, governance, partnerships, and human security. The IPU’s 142 national parliaments intend to give a parliamentary dimension to the multilateral institutions’ efforts in implementing the outcome of the Summit.

The President of the IPU Council, Dr. Najma Heptulla, will also participate in the panel on Community involvement and volunteering in sustainable development, which will be organized on 28th August by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the United Nations Volunteers, with the support of the IPU.

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Established in 1889 and with its Headquarters in Geneva, the IPU, the oldest multilateral organisation, currently has 142 affiliated national parliaments and five regional assemblies as associate members. The organisation of the world's parliaments also has a Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York.
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Mrs. Luisa Ballin, IPU Information Officer Tel. +4122 919 41 16/27 Fax: +4122 919 41 60, 919 41 97 E-mail: lb@mail.ipu.org or cbl@mail.ipu.org Mr. Lunga Ngqenglelele, Media Liaison Officer of the South African Parliament Tel.: +2721 403 24 65 Mobile: +27(0)83 275 95 11 E-mail: lngqengelele@parliament.gov.za