2002年-世界发展银行全球_Third_Annual_Conference_of_the_Parliamentary_Network_on_the_World_Bank_Bern_May_9-11_2002___Keynote_Speeches_40页_6mb

Third Annual Conference of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) Summary

Overview

The Third Annual Conference of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) took place in Bern, Switzerland, from May 9 to 11, 2002. Hosted by the Parliament of Switzerland, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the conference aimed to enhance parliamentary engagement with international development initiatives, particularly the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Doha Trade Round. It featured keynote speeches, thematic discussions, and breakout sessions focused on poverty reduction, governance, trade, education, and the role of parliamentarians in global development.

Core Content

Key Themes

• Implementation and Governance: The conference emphasized the need for effective implementation of international development agreements and the strengthening of governance structures in developing countries.
• Parliamentary Engagement: Parliamentarians were urged to play an active role in international development, including monitoring progress, ensuring transparency, and supporting legislation aligned with global goals.
• Global Partnerships: The importance of collaboration between parliamentarians, international institutions, and civil society was highlighted, especially in the context of the Monterrey Declaration and the Doha Trade Round.

Keynote Speeches

• James D. Wolfensohn (World Bank President): Stressed the importance of parliamentary engagement in development, noting that the Bank consults with parliamentarians during its country visits. He called for parliamentarians to focus on implementing the international consensus from Doha and Monterrey and to work closely with their governments.
• Abdoulaye Wade (President of Senegal): Presented the NEPAD initiative as a model for African development, emphasizing the need for a partnership approach to achieve sustainable progress.
• Mike Moore (WTO Director-General): Highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in multilateral institutions and called for parliamentary input in shaping trade policies.

Main Sessions and Discussions

Session 1: Reaching the Millennium Development Goals

• Focus: The role of parliamentarians in achieving the MDGs.
• Key Points:
  • Parliamentarians can support the MDGs through legislation on education and population control.
  • Transparency and accountability in governance are crucial for effective implementation.
  • Donors and international institutions must align their programs with the MDGs.

Session 2: Doha Trade Round

• Focus: The role of parliamentarians in trade negotiations.
• Key Points:
  • Parliamentary oversight is essential for ensuring that trade agreements reflect the interests of developing countries.
  • The Doha Round demonstrated the importance of dialogue and the need for parliamentarians to be involved in the process.
  • The WTO should be more transparent in its negotiations, and parliamentarians should be engaged in the debate.

Session 3: Monterrey and Beyond

• Focus: Follow-up to the Monterrey Declaration on Financing for Development.
• Key Points:
  • The Monterrey Declaration emphasized the need for a holistic approach to development financing.
  • Parliamentarians must ensure that commitments are respected and that follow-up mechanisms are in place.
  • A 'Parliamentary Implementation Watch' system was proposed to monitor progress on development commitments.

Breakout Sessions

• Fighting Poverty: Highlighted the importance of parliamentary support in poverty reduction initiatives.
• Education: Emphasized the need for scientific education and the role of parliamentarians in promoting quality education.
• Environment: Called for greater parliamentary involvement in global environmental discussions, especially ahead of the Johannesburg Summit.
• Business and Investment: Discussed the role of parliamentarians in creating a favorable investment climate.
• Anti-Corruption: Identified lack of political will as a major obstacle and called for collaboration with civil society and donors.
• Health: Highlighted the challenges of addressing HIV/AIDS and the need for coordinated action.

PNoWB Activities and Future Directions

• The PNoWB has grown into a global parliamentary network with 42 member countries.
• Activities such as field visits, a website, and a handbook on the World Bank have been developed to support parliamentary engagement.
• The Steering Committee, which includes Tony Worthington (UK) and Monica Frassoni (European Parliament), pledged to continue these initiatives.
• The network aims to expand its role by fostering collaboration and using the World Bank's resources, such as data and training programs, to strengthen parliamentary action on development.

Conclusion

The conference concluded with a strong call for parliamentarians to be more proactive in international development. It emphasized the need for informed and activist engagement, particularly in areas such as governance, trade, and education. The PNoWB was recognized as a vital platform for parliamentary cooperation and was encouraged to continue its work in supporting development goals and enhancing transparency and accountability in international institutions.

Key Outcomes

• A proposal for a 'Parliamentary Implementation Watch' system was made to monitor progress on development commitments.
• The need for parliamentary networks to be involved in global environmental and trade discussions was highlighted.
• A global network of Parliamentarians against Corruption (GOPAC) was proposed.
• The PNoWB Steering Committee welcomed new members and pledged to continue its activities.

Participants and Partners

• Hosts: Parliament of Switzerland, SECO, and SDC.
• Participants: 104 MPs from 42 countries.
• Partners: World Bank, IMF, WTO, and various civil society and development organizations.