Press release of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
New York, 30 August 2000
N° 3

Today the President of the Inter-Parliamentary (IPU) Council, Dr. Najma Heptulla, opened the first Conference of Presiding Officers of National Parliaments, at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York in the presence of UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan. The Conference is attended by more than 150 Presiding Officers from over 140 national parliaments.

In her opening speech, Dr. Najma Heptulla said that "this conference is a historic first in bringing together the heads of Parliaments across the world. This is the Inter-Parliamentary Union's contribution to provide a parliamentary input to the Millennium Assembly of the United Nations. I am deeply convinced that our parliaments and we, as their Presiding Officers and members from across the world, collectively can play a ccrucial role in forging global consensus on all vital matters facing the world community."

"Today, - she declared - we meet to reiterate our commitment to these glorious ideals of democracy. Divergent voices are encouraged to be raised within nations and across continents. For the first time in history, we are witnessing people's initiative for dialogue among cultures and civilisations. History itself is becoming people-centric. This millennial anniversary is the best time to give impetus to these initiatives. We know how ambitious this task is."

The President of the IPU Council recalled that "at this critical juncture, the United Nations can also play a pivotal role in resolving these issues. It is the most important inter-governmental organisation and has an irreplaceable role in international affairs. The Security Council has the major responsibility to safeguard world peace and security. It should be therefore broad-based and further strengthened to reflect the present global scenario. Its composition must reflect the global political reality. The Security Council must be democratised".

The Inter-Parliamentary Union brings together people's representatives from all sections of society and from all corners of the world. "It would be useful, therefore, if we could focus during this conference on ways in which the IPU can increase its interactions with the United Nations system and contribute to the formulation of decisions that will determine the destiny of humankind. The IPU has always supported the efforts of the UN. We have widened our focus from political issues to the economic, cultural and social. We should aim for a more comprehensive relationship with the UN and its various specialized bodies, to give it a parliamentary dimension" Dr Heptulla concluded.

The UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, declared that the meeting of Heads of Parliament "represents a unique chance for the voices for the world's peoples to be heard in the clearest, most direct manner. Over the next week, heads of State of more than 150 countries will meet in these halls to chart a new course for this Organisation and for the world. To succeed, they must summon the will to think anew about how to advance the interests of their citizens in a global era. No group of leaders is better placed to give expression to those interests than Heads of Parliament".

Mr. Kofi Annan added that "The fact is that we need the parliamentary vision of international relations more than ever before (...) As Heads of Parliament, you occupy a special place. As representatives of the people you are the principal repository of democratic legitimacy. Using your legislative powers and your democratic mandate, you can serve as genuine "tribunes of people" across traditional frontiers".

"I believe - added the UN Secretary-General - you have a unique role to play in bringing global institutions such as the United Nations closer to the peoples they are meant to serve (...) Together, we at the United Nations and you, the parliamentarians, can do much to break down this wall of suspicion - by explaining the global changes to our peoples, and, above all, by ensuring that those changes redound to their benefit. To succeed in this critical effort, we need a United Nations that is effective and responsive. I am all the more grateful, therefore, for the strong support for the reform of our Organisation expressed in your Declaration."

Concluding his remarks, the UN Secretary-General said "I have over the last three years sought to strengthen the UN's bonds with IPU, because I believe we need to draw renewed inspiration from the peoples we are meant to serve. I am grateful for your cooperation in this endeavour and look forward to making our United Nations even more responsive to your needs as representatives of the global public."

As the Conference started its work, it was informed of the decision taken by the United States government to deny visas to the presiding officers of Cuba and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. On the proposal of the Conference Steering Committee, the Conference adopted the following statement, presented by the President, Dr. Najma Heptulla:

"We Presiding Officers of National Parliaments recall that this Conference was convened as an expression by parliaments of support to the United Nations, and that it is imbued with the spirit of dialogue which, regardless of differences, is fundamental to democracy and international cooperation.

We deeply regret the decision of the United States Government to deny visas to Speakers of national parliaments that are members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Their exclusion runs counter to the spirit on which the IPU and the United nations - co-organisers of this Conference - are founded and is contrary to the principles underlying the functioning of parliament. It is all the more regrettable in that it has occurred on the occasion of this historic parliamentary summit.

While continuing with this unique Conference, we wish solemnly to confirm the fundamental principle of the Inter-Parliamentary Union whereby "(...) it can only hold meetings if all its members are invited and if their representatives are assured of receiving the necessary visas for participation".