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EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING
ASIA PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
10-13 JANUARY 2000
Joint Communique
Annex IIIResolutions adopted at the 8th Annual Meeting
Resolution Commending the Peaceful Agreement Reached by the
Governments of Peru and Chile
(APPF8/RES/1)
Submitted by the Canadian Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting in Canberra, Australia, in January 2000,
Recalling the APPF Vancouver Declaration, in particular its seven principlesgoverning relations among countries in Asia Pacific, which urges promotion ofpeace and stability in the region and increased mutual understanding andconfidence among the countries.
Welcoming the agreement reached between the Governments of Peru andChile concerning the execution of the 1929 Treaty between both countries,through the Act of Execution of pending issues of the 1929 Treaty, signed onNovember 13, 1999.
It is resolved to
Congratulate the Governments of Peru and Chile for the measures adoptedto support the negotiation process and the key decisions made in order toachieve a final agreement and execution of the Treaty of 1929, through the Actof execution of pending issues of the 1929 Treaty, signed on November 13,1999.
Pay high tribute to President Alberto Fujimori Fujimori of Peru and PresidentEduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle of Chile, who exerted strong leadership to realise thispeaceful settlement and to the legislative bodies of both countries whichconsistently contributed to the peaceful solution of the differences between thetwo countries.
Encourage the Governments of Peru and Chile to implement the contents ofthe agreement reached in order to demonstrate that it is an excellent modelfor peaceful settlement of international disputes.Call on our respective governments to seek a peaceful settlement in any caseof international dispute in the spirit of the Vancouver Declaration.
Resolution on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament*
(APPF8/RES/2)
Jointly submitted by Japan, Australia, Peru and the Philippines
The Eighth Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Concerned at the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in May 1998 and theirsubsequent move towards nuclear weaponization, which pose a challenge tointernational efforts to strengthen the global regime of nuclear non-proliferation;Noting the progress in commencing the discussions on START III betweenthe United States of America and the Russian Federation;
Welcoming civil society's effort towards nuclear non-proliferation anddisarmament such as the report of the Tokyo Forum for NuclearNon-Proliferation and Disarmament and "Joint Proposal on NuclearNonproliferation and Disarmament by Research Institutes of Japan, Germany,and the United States";
Welcoming the successful adoption of the Final Declaration of theConference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty held in Vienna in October 1999;
Concerned at the United States Senate's disapproval of the ratification of the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in October 1999;
Reaffirming the crucial importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation ofNuclear Weapons as the cornerstone of the international regime for nuclearnon-proliferation and as an essential foundation for the pursuit of nucleardisarmament;
Noting that funds allocated annually for nuclear weapons research andproduction could be redirected to other more important and pressing needs, Resolves to:
1.Reaffirm the importance of achieving the universality of the Treaty onthe Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;2.Call upon States not party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons, to accede to it at the earliest possible date andpending their adherence to the NPT, to place all their nuclear materialand facilities under comprehensive IAEA safeguards and to concludepromptly Additional Protocols to those safeguards agreements;
3.Urge the rapid and universal implementation of the IAEA'sstrengthened safeguards system by APPF countries and all otherstates, in particular the conclusion of Additional Protocols to IAEAsafeguards agreements by all States and other parties without delay;
4.Underline the vital importance of the Review Conference of the Treatyon the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons which will be held in Aprilthis year, and calls upon all States parties to that Treaty to intensifytheir efforts with a view to reaching an agreement on a new set ofprinciples and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmamentat that Conference;
5.Endorse the Final Declaration of the Conference on Facilitating theEntry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and inparticular;a.Call for the early signature and ratification of the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty by all States with a view to its earlyentry into force, and cessation of nuclear explosions pending itsentry into force, as well as continued, determined progress onimplementation of the Treaty, notably the establishment of theverification regime;
b.Note the ratification by two nuclear weapon States, and callupon the remaining three to accelerate their ratificationprocesses with a view to their early successful conclusion byReview Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation ofNuclear Weapons which will be held in April this year, and inparticular, encourage the United States of America to take theinitiative for the early entry into force of the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty;
6.Call upon all APPF member States and all other States to maintaintheir moratoria on nuclear weapons tests;
7.Call upon the United States of America and the Russian Federation tobring the Treaty on Further Reduction and Limitation of StrategicOffensive Arms (START II) into force at an early date, to commenceand conclude negotiations at an early date for START III and tocontinue the process beyond START III, and furthermore, in pursuit ofachieving nuclear disarmament, encourage all States, in particular thefive nuclear weapon States, to make every effort towards theprogressive reduction and ultimate elimination of all nuclear weapons;and
8.Call upon all APPF member States and all other States to commenceintensive negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on anon-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectivelyverifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclearweapons or other nuclear explosive devices and to conclude them at anearly date, and, pending its entry into force, encourage them to imposea moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.
* The United States Delegation and the Chinese Delegation do not necessarilyaccept all aspects of this resolution.
Resolution on the Protection of Cultural Goods
(APPF8/RES/3)
Submitted by the Peruvian Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Bearing in mind the 1970 Convention of the United Nations Education,Science and Culture Organisation on the "Means of Prohibiting and Preventingthe Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership Of Cultural Property",
Recalling the 1972 Convention of the United Nations Education, Science andCulture Organisation on the "Protection of the world cultural and naturalheritage",Recalling the terms of the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or IllegallyExported Cultural Objects,Resolves to:
1.Declare that the spoliation of the cultural heritage at the national levelis, in some cases, deeply related to the life conditions. Therefore,spoliation is not only an inadequate medicine for poverty but, in the midand long term, it is a cause of the cultural and economicimpoverishment.
2.Emphasise that the preservation, in its places of origin, of the vestigesfrom the past it is not only a right of the peoples but it is also acontribution to the hope of a better future. This enables impoverishedregions to become conscious of the value of the heritage they have,through the contact with cultural and scientific missions, allowing theestablishment of museums and other institutions dedicated to thestudy and preservation of their heritage. It is also important to underlinethe significant impact preservation has on the economy of thosepeoples due to the increase of cultural tourism and other relatedactivities such as handicrafts and cultural industries. The defence oftheir cultural heritage is, in fact, an important variable for the futuredevelopment and improvement of life conditions of those peoples and,at the same time, is the exercise of a responsible behaviour towardsthe past and its memory.
3.Encourage all member countries to promote the adoption of a regionalconsciousness about the need to preserve the cultural diversity of thepeoples from the Asia Pacific Region through the implementation ofdifferent mechanisms and strategies that should be enabled bymember States.
Resolution on Debt Relief in Poor Countries
(APPF8/RES/4)
Submitted by the Mexican Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Recommends devoting the 2001 Annual Meeting to the feasibility of bilateral
agreements to deal with debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries. Recognising we, representatives of the citizens of several countries in thePacific Basin area cannot help showing concern about the external debtafflicting many nations, some of them members of this Parliamentary Forum,and express our solidarity with them.
Acknowledging that solutions often should be created within a frame ofconsiderations for the whole wellbeing of individual persons and the societiesin which they live. This is precisely what is being jeopardized by the severeburden of a debt.
Resolves that this forum should, therefore, express its concern with theproblem of foreign debt.
This proposal will only be feasible on the basis of dialogue andconsensus-seeking, thus eliminating financial and macroeconomic instabilityin the Asia-Pacific countries by ensuring economically sound policies atnational and international levels. This will enable us to strengthen our financialsystems, which have been negatively affected by the painful process ofstructural adjustment, basically in the countries with external deficits, the aim
of which is to stabilize and make structural changes to foreign debt servicing.
In keeping with these major headings, we propose a summit meeting todiscuss our financial differences, based on the principle of acknowledging thedifferent levels of development in the region and the obstacles in our path as aresult of said phenomenon.
Aiming at the objective of restructuring the international financial system, thisdoes not imply repudiating or unilaterally cancelling the current debt, mainly ofthe developing countries. Rather, the reform we are proposing should considera substantial change in current criteria for extending credit and in operatingrules, as well as the restructuring of payments and measures to relieve theburden of said payments in the most highly indebted countries.
Considering that one of the best ways to show global solidarity could be forgovernments and financial entities holding the rights on those debts to agreeto cancel those of poor countries in its entirety, or at least to lessen themsignificantly, allowing for indebted nations to invest in those areas of greatersocial impact such as education, health, food programs, production and tradeinfrastructure. What we propose is not a handout but a way to impulseresponsible commitments on the side of the indebted nations. Reforms shouldbe implemented by the favoured countries to guarantee truthful democraticprocesses in the political, economic and social fields. In the long run, thisinvestment in the common good of human kind will only bear fruits of progressfor all, turning nil the possible financial losses of the creditor countries andfostering a more equitative growth for all and every person.
Proposes the creation of an APPF ad hoc working group1 which shoulddevote itself, first of all, to collecting the proposals put forward byparliamentarians and technicians in different national and international forumssuch as the one held on October 3, 1998 by the Intergovernmental Group ofthe 24 developing Countries or the efforts to create and impulse the works ofthe Consultative Body at the level of finance ministers and central bankgovernors in the APEC region and the Financial Stability Forum. This will allowus to take advantage of the experience accumulated to date so as tocontribute to finding a feasible solution to the problem of the debt of thepoorest countries, which are in a vulnerable position on account of highlyvolatile financial flows.
1 Alike the Technological Working Committee
Resolution on War-Affected Children*
(APPF8/RES/5)
Submitted by the Canadian Delegation
We, the Parliamentarians of the APPF, gathered at the 8th Annual Meeting in
Canberra,
Deeply concerned by the abuse and targeting of children both as fightersand as victims of armed conflict as one of the most disturbing human securityissues facing the world today;Recognizing the work of the United Nations system to assist and protectwar-affected children, through the Security Council, the General Assembly,the office of the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict, andthe UN Agencies;
Resolve to:1.Take all feasible measures to protect and assist children affected byarmed conflict, promote their needs and prevent the targeting of suchchildren, inter alia,by respecting and promoting the rights and welfare of all childrenaffected by armed conflict, including the right to education,health, birth registration, family reintegration, and protection fromviolence and exploitation,
by addressing psycho-social as well as physical needs ofwar-affected children,by seeking to ensure that the needs and rights of children areintegrated in the provision of humanitarian assistance.
2.Advocate the successful completion of a strong Optional Protocol tothe Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Childrenin Armed Conflict for the 10th Anniversary of the coming into force of theConvention on the Rights of the Child.
3.Invite all Parliamentarians, civil society, young people and otherrelevant actors to work in partnership, both domestically andinternationally, to realize these goals.
* The United States Delegation does not necessarily accept all aspects of this
resolution.
Resolution on Climate Change*
(APPF8/RES/6)
Submitted by the Peruvian and Singapore Delegations
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Bearing in mind the negative effects verified in the life of peoples andsocieties, and the economic damages produced as a consequence of globalclimate change,
Convinced that the United Nations Framework Convention on ClimateChange and the Kyoto Protocol are useful instruments to address thatproblem,Resolves to:Call on the international community to find equitable and transparentmechanisms through international negotiations that will let us confront, withthe necessary urgency, the challenges of climate change for mankind.Encourage the member States of the Asia Pacific region to achieve theprompt entry in force of the Kyoto Protocol, at the same time, to stress theimportance of dealing with the definition and implementation of the "cleandevelopment mechanism" based on the principles of equity, transparency andthe principle of common, but differentiated responsibilities. Urges Member States of the Asia Pacific region to keep in mind the two-foldbasic objectives of assisting developing country Parties in achievingsustainable development and contributing to the ultimate objective of theConvention as well as assisting developed country Parties in achievingcompliance with part of their quantified emission limitation and reductioncommitments under Article 3 of the Protocol.* The United States Delegation does not necessarily accept all aspects of thisresolution.
Resolution to Create an Internal Mechanism within the Asia Pacific
Parliamentary Forum (APPF) to Share Information on Environment
Protection Programs among APPF Member Countries
(APPF8/RES/7)
Submitted by the Philippine and Canadian Delegations
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum.
Deeply aware that the survival of all forms of human life on earth depends critically on the successful implementation of sustainable environmentprotection programs;
Alarmed that the rapid pace of industrialization continue to pose grave threatto the environment leading to denudation of forests responsible for excessiveflooding, massive pollution, and the fast deterioration of flora and fauna andmany other adverse effects;
Cognizant of the efforts of environmentalists and non-governmental
organizations to maintain ecological equilibrium by preserving remainingnatural resources and at the same time, replenishing what had been lost;
Strongly appreciates the intensified efforts of some individual APPFmember-countries, as a matter of state policy, to save and protect theirnatural resources and environment;
Desiring to spread and maximize the effects of these environment protectionprograms within the Asia-Pacific region,
Resolves, as it hereby resolves, to create within the APPF an internalmechanism to share information on environment protection programs amongAPPF member-countries which would likewise serve as a conduit fortechnology transfer and information exchange for maximum benefit.
Resolution on Anti-Money Laundering
(APPF8/RES/8)
Proposed by the Thailand Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum
Recalling previous APPF resolutions calling for the implementation ofanti-money laundering measures;
Recognizing the need for concerted and effective efforts amongst all APPFmember countries to enact necessary legislations on anti-money laundering;
Welcoming the anti-money laundering measures put into place by variousAPPF member countries;
Resolves to
Call upon all APPF member countries to give the highest priority toeffective measures to counter money laundering activities in theirrespective countries;
Further call upon those APPF member countries which have put inplace necessary laws, to provide the others with necessary informationand legal framework needed for the drafting of suitable anti-moneylaundering laws.
Resolution on Landmines
(APPF8/RES/9)
Submitted jointly by Australia and Peru
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Recalling the Resolution on the Ban of Antipersonnel Land Mines adopted bythe 7th meeting of the APPF;
Noting the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on theirDestruction (the Ottawa Convention) on 1 March 1999;
Noting the entry into force of the Amended Protocol II of the Convention onCertain Conventional Weapons on 3 December 1998;
Recognising the role of the United Nations Mine Action Service and the
United Nations Development Program in coordinating and implementinginternational demining, victim assistance and mine awareness programs;Appreciating the work of non-government organisations in implementinginternational mine action programs and energising international action toaddress the humanitarian and socio-economic problems posed by landmines;
Recalling the support of the international community for United NationsGeneral Assembly Resolutions on the Ottawa Convention, the Convention onCertain Conventional Weapons and international mine action activities;
Acknowledging the continuing problems posed by the millions of landminesstill in the ground, and those which will regrettably be laid in the future, andthe need for continued and concerted efforts to remove these mines to reducetheir devastating humanitarian and socio-economic consequences;
Acknowledging that certain member states are not in a position to accede tothe Agreement due to their current security situation.
Resolves to:
Encourage APPF member countries which have not yet acceded to theOttawa Convention to do so when individual circumstances permit or as soonas possible, with the ultimate aim of the Convention's universalisation;
Call upon APPF member countries which have already acceded to theOttawa Convention to implement the Convention's provisions as soon aspossible, including the destruction of national stockpiles of anti-personnellandmines;
Encourage the negotiation of a ban on landmines transfers to engage in theglobal anti-landmine regime countries not yet in a position to accede to theOttawa Convention;
Encourage APPF member countries which have not yet done so to accede toAmended Protocol II of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons;
Recommend that APPF member countries in a position to do so contributeto international mine clearance, mine awareness and victim assistanceprograms, including the establishment of national capacity building programsin landmine-affected countries.
Urge all Member States and other concerned parties to collaborate in theassistance, rehabilitation, and social and economic restoration of thelandmines victims, as well as in the removal and destruction of the landmines.
Resolution on Armed Forces Personnel in Peacekeeping Operations
(APPF8/RES/10)
Submitted by the Canadian Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum
Acknowledges the efforts of civilian and military personnel in peacekeeping
operations.
Recognises the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by thesepersonnel in security operations authorised by the United Nations and theircontribution to peace.
Calls upon APPF members to congratulate members of military forces andcivilian personnel of their respective countries in peacekeeping operationsauthorised by the United Nations throughout the world.
Resolution in Support of the Process of Peace in the Republic of
Colombia
(APPF8/RES/11)
Submitted by the Colombian Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Considering that it is the duty and the fundamental objective of all thecountries in the world to achieve peace and coexist peacefully between all thepeople of the land,
The route most accordingly to achieve the peace in the conflicts of thecountries, is the direct dialogue between the countries, with this,avoiding the violent confrontation and the loss of human lives.
Resolution
1.In a decided manner, support the process of peace that presently hasbeen carried out by Colombia, between the established NationalGovernment and the Rebellious Armed Groups. With the hope that thestated dialogues will have conclusions and clear agreements; to permitprompt solutions to be met in political, economical and social problemsthat distress the Colombian community.
2.To make a call to all the parties, to achieve prompt agreements whichwill favour all the civil population.
Resolution on the Protection of the Intellectual Property Rights
Relating to the Traditional Knowledge of Ethnic and Indigenous
Communities
(APPF8/RES/12)
Submitted by the Peruvian and Papua New Guinea Delegations
The 8th General Assembly of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Considering that both the introduction of intellectual property into theUruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations in 1986 and the ongoingevolution of this subject in the WTO framework have been based on a view ofeconomic and technological development that recognises intellectual propertyas a necessary ingredient and essential requisite for achieving thedevelopmental goals of global trade.
Considering that the system of intellectual property protection as recognisedtoday is the result of a continuous evolutionary process driven by the desire toachieve accelerated commercial and technological development, and that, overtime the scope of intellectual property has expanded through the recognition ofnew subject matters of protection.Recognising that the economic, commercial and cultural value the traditionalknowledge has for its possessors warrants and justifies a legitimate interestthat this knowledge be recognised as a subject matter of intellectual property.
Considering that the expectations those communities have in order to protecttheir traditional knowledge have received legal recognition in an increasingnumber of national, regional and international fora, and is quite as legitimateas the expectations which in the past justified the recognition of the newsubjects of intellectual property.
Noting that the international recognition of traditional knowledge as aprotected subject matter would afford its holders the legal possibility ofobtaining enforcement of their rights outside their own countries, thus enablingthem to share in the economic benefits derived from that knowledge.Resolves to:
a.Invite the governments of the Asia Pacific region to study the issueand undertake measures aimed at passing legislation as appropriatewhich would ensure appropriate recognition and protection to:
i.The intellectual property rights relative to the traditionalknowledge of local and indigenous communities in theirrespective countries; and
ii.The property rights and commercial benefit relative to the
undiscovered potential of environmental bio diversity andethno-science.
b.Encourage the member States to avail themselves of the assistanceof competent international organisations, such as the World IntellectualProperty Organisation (WIPO) and the International Labor Organisation(ILO), in their efforts to undertake these studies and to pass theaforementioned legislation as appropriate.c.Invite the governments of the region to support the discussion andpossible inclusion of the protection of traditional knowledge of ethnicand indigenous communities within the scope of the new multilateraltrade negotiations of the World Trade Organisation.
Resolution on Global Trade Liberalisation
(APPF8/RES/13)Submitted by the American and Japanese DelegationsThe 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Concerned by the lack of progress achieved at the third MinisterialConference of the World Trade Organization in Seattle, including:
The failure to launch a new round of multilateral trade negotiations thatwould extend the benefits of further trade liberalization to all WTOmembers;
The lack of agreement on tariff liberalization in certain sectors includingthose identified by APEC member economies as part of the voluntarysectoral liberalization initiative;The lack of progress on the issue of non tariff barriers; and
The resulting loss of momentum toward further trade liberalization;
Resolves to:
1.Call upon WTO members to achieve an early launch of a new round of
negotiations including agriculture, services and WTO rules on tradefacilitation, enhanced tariff liberalization including in sectors previouslyidentified by participating APEC economies; and the reduction of nontariff barriers;
2.Call upon WTO members to create a negotiating process that willeffectively address the concerns of all WTO members;
3.Call upon the WTO to enhance its transparency in order to addresslegitimate concerns over its activities, to encourage more activeparticipation in orderly negotiations by members and to promote thebenefits of international trade; and
4.Call upon APEC, under the leadership this year of Brunei, to take thelead in launching a new trade round by reinvigorating its regional tradeliberalization initiatives, including facilitating customs procedures.
Resolution on the Tenth United Nations Conference on Trade andDevelopment
(APPF8/RES/14)
Submitted by the Thailand Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum.
Fully aware of the growing momentum for trade liberalization and the impactof globalization on global trade and development;
Gravely concerned at the inconclusive Ministerial Conference of the WorldTrade Organization (WTO) in Seattle and the remaining unresolved tradeliberalization issues;
Realizing the urgent need for the world to adopt a transparent and balancedapproach to trade and development that addresses the legitimate concerns ofall parties to trade;
Realizing further the role of laws in modern trade and development;
Welcoming the timely convention of the Tenth United Nations Conference onTrade and Development in Thailand during February 12-19 2000 as being thefirst world level conference on trade at the beginning of the new millenniumthat could rectify the shortcomings of the Seattle WTO conference. Encouraged by the joint initiatives of the National Assembly of Thailand andthe Inter-Parliamentary Union to organize in parallel with the UNCTAD Xconference, the parliamentary meeting on the occasion of UNCTAD X fromFebruary 10-11 2000 in Bangkok to chart out a parliamentary strategy fortrade and development in the face of new challenges to the global economy,posed by liberalization, globalization, and the Asian Economic Crisis.
Resolves to:
Support the fruitful and extensive discussions of the parliamentarymeeting on the occasion of UNCTAD X and the UNCTAD X conferenceto achieve outcomes acceptable to all.
Monitor the implementation of the UNCTAD X’s Plan of Action and the parliamentary strategy for such action in the APPF member countries.Urge APPF member countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union to havea strong regional representation at the highest possible level andparticipate actively in the dual UNCTAD X meetings.
Resolution on Strengthening the International Financial Architecture
(APPF/RES/15)Submitted by the Japanese and the Philippines Delegations
Amended by Canada and Indonesia
We, the parliamentarians of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF),
gathered at the 8th Annual Meeting in Canberra, Australia, in January 2000,
Aware of the adverse effects of the recent international financial crises whichbegan with the Asian crisis in 1997, on the global economy, especially onindividual economies in the emerging markets and the developing world,
Recalling that as a result of the recent crises, the need for all countries toadopt more transparent policies in corporate and fiscal accounting and showgreater capacity to embrace economic reforms has become more apparent,
Taking note that the recent financial crises occurred partly due to the patternof capital movements and insufficiency of supervision,
Considering the pertinent UN resolutions and recommendations made inseveral studies which emphasize the need to strengthen international,financial and monetary systems at national, regional and international level,with a view to preventing recurrence of the financial crisis and to helpeconomies address the risk of full liberalization,
Encouraging the world financial markets to take advantage of the currentenvironment where globalization is underway, the volume and value of worldtrade have increased, and capital movement is more deregulated,
Recognizing the necessity of developing a global financial and economicmodel that benefits of sustainable development are shared by all,
Welcoming the following international developments performed to achieve therecovery and stabilization of the economies in the Asia Pacific region:
The economies of the Asia Pacific region, including the countries andregions hit by the currency crisis, are recovering, regaining stability,and striving for new economic growth thanks to the suitable policyefforts taken by each country in the region.
At the Cologne Summit, the G7 Finance Ministers released a reportwhich indicated a comprehensive, concrete plan of reform to strengthenthe international financial architecture.
A consultative body at the level of finance ministers and central bankgovernors was created to facilitate dialogue among systemicallyimportant countries for the international financial architecture, sharingcommon awareness with our resolution last year that a consultativebody should be established to promote dialogue, prevent crisis throughan early warning mechanism and implement cooperative initiatives.
The Financial Stability Forum was created, sharing commonawareness with our resolution last year that existing internationalinstitutions are asked to work closely together to strengthen themechanism to monitor the short-term capital flows and activities ofinstitutional investors.
A considerable number of countries in the Asia Pacific region areparticipating in the above-mentioned consultative body and theFinancial Stability Forum.
The Asia Pacific region has appropriately dealt with the Y2K computersoftware problem by the earnest efforts of the government and privatesector of each country, and international organizations.
Resolve to:
1.Seek the following in order to achieve sustainable growth in theeconomies of the Asia Pacific region that are recovering and regainingstability:
To encourage Asia Pacific countries to further develop theinfrastructure needed to recover and regain new economicgrowth.
To encourage major industrialized countries to take appropriatepolicies so that they can achieve sustainable domesticdemand-led growth.
To encourage emerging market economies to adopt soundmacroeconomic policies and appropriate exchange rate regimesand to strengthen their domestic financial architecture inaccordance with their own national conditions.
2.Ask Asia Pacific countries to carry out initiatives to further strengthenthe APEC, the Manila Framework, and other regional cooperationactivities in order to build a stronger international financial architectureand to make the capital flows stable and sustainable. Moreover, ask topromote dialogue through the Financial Stability Forum and theconsultative body at the level of ministers and central bank governorswhich aims to facilitate dialogue among systemically importantcountries, and to take the following initiatives in cooperation withinternational organizations and regional cooperation bodies, such asthe WTO, the OECD, and the European Union, as necessary:
To call on the International Community to hasten the process ofdeveloping a New International Financial Architecture, asendorsed in Vancouver in November 1997.
To support all bilateral, regional and multilateral efforts whichwould hasten the process of reform of the international financialarchitecture.
To encourage both developed and developing countries toconduct orderly and fairly, while stressing the universalprinciples of honesty, transparency and accountability, with aview to promoting good governance and good corporategovernance.
To develop an early warning and cooperation mechanism forcrisis prevention, like the survey supervisory systems of aFinancial Stability Forum identifying financial sector problemsbefore they become crises.
To enhance the transparency of all market participants,especially to further examine policies to strengthentransparency of highly leveraged financial institutions, such ashedge funds.
In major industrialized countries, to improve risk assessmentand risk management of creditors and investors.
In emerging market economies, to perform appropriate debtmanagement in addition to strengthening monitoring ofinternational capital movements and supervisory regime.
To call for a continuing dialogue between and among developing,
emerging and industrialized economies on major economicissues.
To request all Parliamentarians to support efforts promoting fullaccess of nations into the global market, using transparentcriteria, aimed at protecting welfare of nations and citizens.
To appeal to all states to help strengthen public internationalfinancial institutions in order to countervail transnationaleconomic power.
3.Call on the IMF to perform the following from the same viewpoint asthat in 2 above:
To deliver sufficient and flexible financial assistance to adverselyaffected member countries during the period of a crisis.
To improve the IMF surveillance and programs so that theybetter reflect changes in the world economy, in particularpotentially abrupt large-scale cross border capital movements.
To examine the possibility of a regional mechanism that willserve for exchanging views on economic policies, providefinancial support that complement the functions of the IMF, andcontribute to the stability of currencies and economies in thisregion.
To strengthen cooperation with the World Bank in the field offinancial sector reform, and together offer appropriate advice toemerging market economies.
Resolution on East Timor
(APPF8/RES/16)
Submitted by the Japanese, Canadian and Indonesian Delegations
The Eighth Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Recalling the Agreement between Indonesia and Portugal on the question ofEast Timor of 5 May 1999 and the Agreements between the United Nationsand the Governments of Indonesia and Portugal of the same date regardingthe modalities for the popular consultation of the East Timorese peoplethrough a direct ballot and security arrangements;
Reiterating its welcome for the successful conduct of the popularconsultation of the East Timorese people of 30 August 1999, and taking noteof its outcome through which the East Timorese people expressed their clearwish to begin a process of transition under the authority of the United Nationstowards independence.
Welcoming the decision of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assemblyon 20 October 1999 concerning East Timor;
Welcoming the contribution of Member States, the United Nations system,international organizations, and non-governmental organizations to addressthe humanitarian assistance needs of the people of East Timor;
Welcoming the United Nations Security Council's Resolution 1272 (1999) of25 October 1999 to establish the United Nations Transitional Administration inEast Timor (UNTAET) whose mandate includes the coordination and deliveryof humanitarian, rehabilitation, and development assistance, and the recentJoint Assessment Mission of the World Bank, United Nations agencies, thedonor community, the Asian Development Bank, and the East Timorese toassess the immediate and long-term rehabilitation, reconstruction anddevelopment needs of East Timor;
Concerned by the grave humanitarian situation, which has occurred in EastTimor, and stressing the importance of reconciliation between all EastTimorese people;
Reaffirming the need for all parties to ensure that the rights of refugees andinternally displaced persons are protected, and that they are able to returnvoluntarily in safety and security to their homes;
Appreciating the contribution made by the multinational force established bythe United Nations Security Council's Resolution 1264 (1999) of 15 September1999 towards the restoration of peace and security, and humanitarianassistance operations in East Timor, and also appreciating the humanitarianassistance by the States concerned among others;
Stressing the need for international assistance in rehabilitation, reconstructionand development in East Timor.Resolves to:
1.Emphasize the importance of close consultation and collaboration withthe East Timorese people and organizations in the planning anddelivery of humanitarian, rehabilitation, and development assistance toEast Timor;
2.Welcome the assurances given by the Indonesian authoritiesregarding the activities of the Office of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian organizations,including the security of the personnel of the Office of the HighCommissioner, and assurances regarding free access to all EastTimorese in West Timor;
3.Call upon all APPF member States to provide as much assistance aspossible such as cooperation with humanitarian organizations so as toensure the protection of civilians at risk, in particular children, the safereturn of refugees and internally displaced persons and the effectivedelivery of humanitarian aid;
4.Encourage all East Timorese people to respect the result of the directballot and to actively and unitedly participate in and cooperate on theprocess of transition under the authority of the United Nations;
5.Call upon all APPF member States to cooperate with UNTAET and toprovide rehabilitation and development assistance including assistancefor the establishment of law and order and capacity-building for selfgovernment in East Timor
Resolution on Peace and Regional Stability
(APPF8/RES/17)
Submitted jointly by the Australian and Indonesian Delegations
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum
Welcoming the agreement of the Australian and Indonesian delegations tocontinue their dialogue in the interests of peace and regional stability.
Resolves to:
Meet again at the 9th meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum inChile in 2001 to continue discussion of this issue.
Propose that a working group of Australia, Indonesia and one other membercountry be formed to work towards a resolution of this issue.
Invite the Executive Committee of the APPF to nominate an additionalcountry to participate in the working group.
Resolution Calling Upon the APPF to Promote InternationalCooperation in Educational Programs and Legal Reforms to Strengthenand Protect Family Life in Order to Fight Drug Addiction(APPF8/RES18)
Submitted by the Mexican Delegation
Aware and alarmed at the rapid growth of drug addiction amongst youngstersof the countries belonging to the Asia Pacific area,
Worried by the fact that the largest efforts of our Governments are focusedprimarily on the production and traffic of drugs, and by the fact that thoseefforts are being turned fruitless in face of the ever growing demand for drugs,
Recognizing the need for a much stronger effort on the part of ourGovernments to change the living and environment conditions which leadyoung people to the consumption of drugs,
Recognizing also that among the basic conditions which should bestrengthened in order to help keep our children away from drugs is the truerole of families,
Worried that many factors, some regional, some global, such as poverty,ignorance, influence of mass media, self perception of parental roles, andothers, are turning the experience of family life into a cause for drug addictioninstead of reinforcing its natural role of primary educator and protector of thedevelopment of youngsters,
Wishing to help restore the natural role of the family as a means to keep ourchildren away from the addiction to drugs,
Resolves hereby to call on all APPF member countries to take the necessarysteps to establish an international forum to:
a.Develop education plans and programs focused on the prevention ofdrug abuse among children, beginning from early childhood. Suchprograms should include teacher and parents training courses,
parent-teacher cooperation activities.
b.Establish education plans and programs through which childrenbecome aware of their own dignity and worth, and coordinate jointefforts of P.T.A., local authorities and other social entities, in order tohelp children live healthy and fulfilling lives.
c.Recognize the importance of the family, by means of laws that protectand foster the environment in which children are raised.
Resolution On Humanitarian Assistance
(APPF8/RES19)
Submitted by the Australian Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Recalling previous resolutions of the APPF supporting humanitarian
assistance,
Recognising the need for effective coordination of humanitarian and disasterrelief activities,
Welcoming the measures already put in place by the United Nations and thehigh level of cooperation and coordination between UN organisations, themilitary and NGOs responding to current crises,
Calls upon all APPF countries to develop and maintain a dialogue and todevelop cooperative measures to ensure the effective coordination of allaspects of humanitarian and disaster relief activities.
Resolution on the Proposed APPF Forum of Public Accounts
Committees
(APPF8/RES20)
Submitted by the Australian Delegation
The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parrliamentary Forum,
Mindful of the pressures placed on the efficiency and integrity of publicadministration and of national financial and political institutions byglobalisation and by the challenges of internet commerce;
Concerned at the effects on regional (international) economic and politicalstability of any perceived lack of transparency and accountability ingovernment and public administration;
Confident that improvements in public accountability and parliamentaryscrutiny will increase public confidence in political and financial institutions;Aware that internationally accepted public sector accounting and auditingstandards are increasingly being adopted as the foundation of good corporategovernance in both the public and private sectors of member nations;
Resolves,
To hereby establish a forum of the public accounts committees (or equivalentcommittees) of APPF member nations with the outcome of sharing informationand expertise in the areas of parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability.