Morocco hosts preparatory meeting for world parliaments conference

Parliament speakers from several countries are meeting in Morocco this September 8-9 to prepare for the international parliaments conference due at UN headquarters in New York in 2000.

During their two-day meeting, which opened Wednesday, speakers will debate a number of issues related to the agenda of the next world parliaments conference, the future of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), cooperation prospects between IPU and the UN for the consolidation of democracy and the possibility of setting up a new world parliamentary body adapted to the challenge posed by the new world order.

The meeting is attended by speakers of the parliaments of Morocco, South Africa, Austria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Chile, Egypt, Spain, Russia, Italy, Jordan, Pakistan, Rumania, Sweden and a representative of the UN secretary general.

Prince Moulay Rachid chaired Wednesday a dinner hosted by King Mohammed VI in honor of the world parliaments speakers.