Press release of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
Havana, 2 April 2001
N° 4

The theme Contribution of the world's parliaments to the struggle against terrorism, in conformity with resolution 55/158 of the United Nations General Assembly has been selected as a supplementary item at the 105th Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference in Havana. The item, adopted with 1229 votes in favour, 59 against and 265 abstentions by the 701 members of national parliaments (including 150 women parliamentarians) who have come to Cuba representing 124 countries was submitted by the Cuban parliamentary delegation.

Another item proposed by the German Parliament entitled International action to meet the emergency situation in Afghanistan, compounded by the recent destruction of cultural heritage by the Taliban will be debated as an emergency supplementary item during the Conference. The proposal received 984 votes in favour, none against and 365 abstentions.

The two other items which will be discussed are: "Securing obobservance of the principles of international law in the interests of world peace and security", and "Education and culture as essential factors in promoting the participation of men and women in political life and as prerequisites for the development of peoples".

The Speaker of the Cuban National Assembly of the People's Power, Mr Ricardo Alarcón, has been elected President of the 105th Conference which will run at the Havana Convention Center until 7 April.

Ms. Sharon Capeling-Alakiga, Executive Coordinator of the UN Volunteers, addressed the gathering today. Guest speakers include Mr Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, who will speak on Thursday 5 April.

Before the opening of the Conference, the IPU Council, the Union's governing body, accepted a request for re-affiliation from the Parliament of the Sudan.

The IPU now has 141 national parliaments affiliated and 5 regional parliamentary assemblies as associate members.