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President's Message

Scarred by the tragedy of September 11th, the year 2001 has become a turning point in the world history. The focus on counter-terrorism and security must be retained in balance with respect for civil liberties and Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) must take a prominent role in ensuring that in each of our parliaments the balance in maintained.

In the light of September 11th, PGA's 23rd Parliamentary Forum, The Role of Parliamentarians in the Development of E-commerce and the Internet, scheduled to take place in the fall of 2001 in Sweden was postponed until January 2002 and modified to highlight a Special Parliamentary Session on Counter-Terrorism. Organised in Stockholm, on January 26th, the Special Parliamentary Session culminated in a parliamentarian declaration chat called for an international initiative to address the root-causes of terrorism and undertake effective political, social and economic measures aimed at preventing and combating terrorist networks. In order to avoid rhe terror of terrorism transforming itself into the terror of the State, the fight against terrorism must be executed in compliance with the essential human rights.

PGA's International Law and Human Rights Program has devoted most of its time to the goal of universal ratification and establishment of the ICC. The programme has had a busy year of events through which it has made significant contributions to the goal of worldwide ratification by conducting conferences on ICC Ratification by Lusophone and SADC countries in Portugal and Namibia, and holding sub-regional briefings and consultations in Brazil, Ghana, Italy, and many European countries.

Throughout the year 2001, 21 states ratified the Statute bringing the total number of States Parries to 48 (as of 31 December 2001). PGA projected that the 60th ratification would be deposited in the first half of 2002 and thus, that the Statute would enter into force in the summer of 2002. Work was also done on implementation in those states already party to the Rome Statute as well as in other countries where such work could contribute to the momentum for ratification of the Statute. In particular, PGA organized two sub-regional conferences as well as several briefings and consultations at the national level. Given the importance of securing worldwide support for the Court and increasing representation in the Assembly of States Parries, PGA began planning a Sourh Asian Regional Conference on the ICC and began a campaign on ratification and implementation of the ICC in such regions as the Commonwealrh of Independent States, Eastern and Southern Asia, Africa, as well as the Middle East.

During 2001 PGA's Peace & Democracy Program has continued its work of peacemaking and strengthening democratic stability through its Task Force on Peace and Democracy. The Task Force has undertaken a number of activities in Core d'Ivoire towards the peaceful resolution of conflicts between the government and the opposition. At the request of rhe President of the country, PGA conducted the first parliamentary preventive action mission in February 2001. Following contentious presidential and parliamentary elections along with a failed coup d'etat, the opposition has threatened to boycott the municipal election. The delegation persuaded the opposition to participate in local elections, and convinced the government not to apply all aspects of controversial electoral code. In March 2001, an international team of members observed the municipal elections to ensure that the process was democratic and transparent without fear of voter intimidation. The opposition won the election and now has a stake in the country's stability.

In June 2001 PGA delegation to Tanzania continued the dialogue on democratic oversight of the military as well as good governance issues and government/ opposition party relations commenced in 1999. The assessment concluded that further discussions on parliamentary capacity building would be on a sub-regional level to encourage continued government and opposition relations.

In addition to the work in Africa PGA has organized a roundtable discussion, hosted by the Swedish Parliament, between Greek and Turkish MPs on issues of joint watermanagement cooperation involving environmental, economic, cultural, education and tourism issues. The two delegations signed a resolution at the conclusion of the meeting.

PGA through its Sustainable Development & Population Program, has remained actively involved in the development of the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action since its inception, and through its worldwide parliamentary network, has worked to implement the Program at the national level. Junior Professional Officer OPO) Program, organized by PGA in collaboration with Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has finished its first three-year pilot project in Ghana and Senegal with a tremendous success. We now look forward to the program's work in Mali and Nigeria in 2002.

Although, the progress achieved by the work of PGA in 2001 has been extraordinary, there's still much to be done. In the years I have been with PGA, first as a parliamentary member, then as an International Councilor and Treasurer, I remained confident that it is a crucial organization for parliamentarians. I am very proud that my government came forward with the first core funding grant for PGA and initiated the first JPO programme at PGA. I urge all my colleagues to give full support to PGA's work. On behalf of my predecessor, Mr. Allan Rogers MP (UK), who stepped down from the UK Parliament in June, I would also like to commend the work led by him and members of PGA Board and International Council. He brought in the system of rotation, gender rule, regional balance, that has made our Board a vibrant and renewed institution. Also I would like to extend my gratitude for the hard work of the staff of PGA under the excellent leadership of PGA Secretary General, Ms. Shazia Rafi at our Secretariat in New York.

The end of the year meeting of Executive Committee postponed to January 2002 has resulted in the election of new Executive Committee, presided by Hon. Kenneth Dzirasah, Second Deputy Speaker, MP (Ghana), who will continue to work with PGA International Council and Secretariat to broaden our horizons in the years to come.

PGA's President, Mr. Karl-Göran Biörsmark, MP, (Sweden)