>>> VERSION FRANÇAISE  
IPU logo SECOND WORLD CONFERENCE
OF SPEAKERS OF PARLIAMENTS

U.N. Headquarters, New York, 7 - 9 September 2005
Organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union
UN-60

 

The Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments was convened as a follow-up to the first gathering of presiding officers that had been organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in August-September 2000 on the occasion of the United Nations Millennium Assembly. The Speakers participating in the event called on parliaments and their members to assume increased responsibility in international relations and suggested that this objective could be achieved primarily by playing a more active role at the national, regional and global levels as follows:
  • At the national level, by reviewing, improving and making better use of parliament's procedures so that it can effectively influence policy on matters dealt with in international negotiating forums, be better informed of the progress and outcome of these negotiations, engage in the ratification of agreements and contribute actively to the implementation process;

  • At the regional level, by making best possible use of existing regional parliamentary organisations and, through them, seek to influence the corresponding inter-governmental bodies; and

  • At the global level, by consolidating the Inter-Parliamentary Union as the world organisation for inter-parliamentary cooperation and for relaying the vision and will of its members to intergovernmental organisations.
Nations with a comprehensive view, and at the highest possible level, of the contribution of the world's parliaments in strengthening the multilateral system and in furthering peace, security, democracy, human rights and development pursuant to internationally agreed commitments. The Conference provided a direct input into the High-level Meeting of Heads of State taking place at the same venue from 14 to 19 September 2005. Click on the photo to enlarge it

Substantive preparations for the Conference were made by the Preparatory Committee set up by the governing bodies of the IPU. The Committee met twice in 2004. Its third meeting was held in May 2005.

The overall purpose of the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments was to present the United Pursuant to a decision of the General Assembly (resolution A/RES/59/19), the Conference took place from 7 to 9 September 2005 in the General Assembly Hall of United Nations Headquarters in New York. A provisional list of participants was distributed together with the information kits. The final list is available on this site.

 

CONFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Summary record [PDF] New!
Declaration adopted by consensus [PDF] and [HTML] New!
List of participants [PDF]
Order of speakers [PDF]
Draft Rules [PDF]
Parliament and Democracy in the 21st Century. Preliminary Report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union. [PDF]
Report on Parliamentary Involvement in International Affairs [PDF]
Draft agenda [HTML] [PDF]
Programme [HTML] [PDF]
Revised Information Note [PDF]
Information Note [PDF]
General information about getting a visa to come to U.S. [PDF]
Preparatory Committee [HTML]
 
IPU PRESS RELEASES
Bridging the democracy gap in international relations: a stronger role for parliaments (9 September 2005)
United Nations Secretary-General thanks Speakers of Parliaments for their belief in multilateral solutions (8 September 2005)
Global gathering of leaders of parliaments opens in New York (7 September 2005)
Speaker of United States House of Representatives at the opening of the IPU summit of Speakers of Parliaments (31 August 2005)
Summit of Speakers of Parliaments to advance the principles and practice of democracy worldwide (25 August 2005)
 
RELATED SITES AND DOCUMENTS
First Conference of Presiding Officers of National Parliaments
Cooperation with the UN
United Nation Web Site
Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly A/RES/59/19 [PDF]

 
DRAFT AGENDA

  1. Adoption of the agenda and rules of the Conference

  2. Presentation of the report on Parliamentary involvement in international affairs

  3. Progress report on meeting the Millennium Development Goals

  4. Presentation of the report on Parliaments' contribution to democracy

  5. General Debate: Parliaments and multilateral cooperation: Meeting the challenges of the 21st century

  6. Adoption of the Declaration

Updated on 29 August 2005   
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
WEDNESDAY, 7 September
3 p.m.Inaugural ceremony, with statements by
- The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Senator Sergio Páez
- The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Jean Ping
- The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mr. Dennis Hastert
3.30 p.m.Item 1: Adoption of the agenda and rules of the Conference
 Item 2: Report on Parliamentary involvement in international affairs
Presentation by Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita, President of the National Assembly of Mali
 Item 3: Progress report on meeting the Millennium Development Goals
Presentation by Mr. Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator
 Item 4: Parliaments' contribution to democracy
Report on Parliament and Democracy in the 21st Century
Presentation by Senator Dulce María Sauri (Mexico)
4 - 6.30 p.m.Item 5: General debate: Parliaments and multilateral cooperation: Meeting the challenges of the 21st century
6.30 - 8.30 p.m.Reception for participants (Delegates' Dining Room, fourth floor) *

THURSDAY, 8 September
9 - 10 a.m.Group photo (for Speakers of parliament only)
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Item 5: General debate (continuation)
  • Panel discussion on Parliaments' contribution to democracy (Room 1)
3 - 6.30 p.m.Address by Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, followed by continuation of Item 5: General debate
3.30 - 6.30 p.m.Panel discussion on Role and responsibilities of parliaments as regards the work of the United Nations (Room 1)

FRIDAY, 9 September
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.Item 5: General debate (continuation)
10 a.m. - 12 noonMeeting of Women Speakers of Parliament (Room 7)
3 - 5 p.m.Item 5: General debate (continuation)
5 - 6 p.m.Item 6: Adoption of the Declaration
Rapporteur: Ms. Ingrida Udre, Speaker of the Parliament of Latvia

* The reception on 7 September, hosted by the President and Secretary General of the IPU, is the only official reception that is taking place during the Speakers' Conference.

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE
 
President
   Mr. S. Páez Verdugo, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Presiding Officers of National Parliaments
   Mr. H. Vaca Diez, President of the Senate of Bolivia
   Mr. G. Nzouba Ndama, President of the National Assembly of Gabon
   Mr. W. Thierse, President of the Bundestag of Germany
   Ms. K. Szili, President of the National Assembly of Hungary
   Mr. P.F. Casini, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy
   Mr. A. Majali, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jordan
   Ms. I. Udre, Chairman of the Saeima of Latvia
   Mr. I. Boubakar Keita, President of the National Assembly of Mali
   Mr. D. Fernández de Cevallos, President of the Senate of Mexico
   Mr. A. Radi, President of the Chamber of Representatives of Morocco
   Mr. T.-B. Gurirab, Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia
   Mr. W-K. Kim, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
   Mr. B. Gryzlov, Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation
   Mr. W.J.M. Lokubandara, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka
   Mr. B. von Sydow, Speaker of the Riksdag of Sweden

Members of the Executive Committee
   Mr. Francis K. Ole Kaparo, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya
   Mr. Lü Congmin, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress

Representatives of the British and French Groups, Founding Members of the IPU
   Mr. R. del Picchia, Executive President of the French IPU Group
   Mr. J. Austin, Member of the IPU Executive Committee

Senior representative of the United Nations Secretary-General
   Mr. M. Moller, Director, Political, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Affairs

Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
   Mr. A.B. Johnsson


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