59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa Report The 59th CPC was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 28th August to 6th September, 2013. Due to ongoing Parliament Session Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha and Members of Parliament could not attend the Conference due to extended Parliament Session. Following delegates from State CPA Branches of India attended the Conference: Sl. No. Name of CPA Branch/Delegates 1 Arunachal Pradesh Shri Wanglin Lowangdong Speaker Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly 1. 2 Assam Branch Shri Bhimananda Tanti Deputy Speaker Assam Legislative Assembly 2. 3 Bihar Branch Shri Uday Narain Choudhary Speaker Bihar Vidhan Sabha 3. 4 Delhi Branch Dr. Yoganand Shastri Speaker Delhi Legislative Assembly 4. 5 Goa Branch Shri Rajendra Arlekar Speaker Goa Legislative Assembly 5. 6 Gujarat Branch Shri Ashwinbhai Kotwal, MLA Shri Shankarbhai Lagdhirbhai Chaudhary, MLA Gujarat Legislative Assembly 6. 7 Haryana Branch Shri Kuldip Sharma Speaker Haryana Vidhan Sabha 8 Himachal Pradesh Branch Shri Brij Behari Lal Butail Speaker Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly 9 Jammu and Kashmir Branch Shri Mubarak Gul Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly 10 Jharkhand Branch Shri Chandreshwar Prasad Singh MLA Jharkhand Legislative Assembly 11 Karnataka Branch Shri D.H. Shankaramurthy Chairman Karnataka Legislative Assembly 12 Kerala Branch Shri G. Karthikeyan, Speaker, Kerala Legislative Assembly 13 Manipur Branch Shri Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly 14 Meghalaya Branch Shri Abu Taher Mondal Speaker Meghalaya Legislative Assembly 15 Mizoram Branch Shri John Rotluangliana, Deputy Speaker, Mizoram Legislative Assembly 16 Nagaland Branch Shri Chotisuh Sazo Speaker Nagaland Legislative Assembly Shri Kiyanilie Peseyie Minister, Govt. of Nagaland Regional Representative -CPA Executive Committee 17 Puducherry Branch Shri V. Sabapathy @ Kothandaraman, Speaker, Puducherry Legislative Assembly 18 Punjab Branch Dr. Charnjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly 19 Sikkim Branch Shri M.B. Dahal Deputy Speaker , Sikkim Legislative Assembly 20 Tamil Nadu Branch Shri Palani Dhanapal Speaker , Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly 21 Tripura Branch Shri Ramendra Chandra Debnath Speaker Tripura Legislative Assembly 22 Uttarakhand Branch Shri Govind Singh Kunjwal Speaker Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly 23 Uttar Pradesh Branch Shri Mata Prasad Pandey Speaker Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly 24 West Bengal Branch Shri Biman Bandyopadhyay, Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly The arrival date of the delegates was 1st September, 2013. The Conference was officially inaugurated on Monday 2nd September, 2013 by Hon’ble Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma the President of Republic of South Africa. The vote of thanks was given by Vice-President of CPA Rt. Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibric. At the inaugural ceremony the President of CPA Hon. Mr. Mninwa Johannes Mahalangu, MP read out the message from Her Majesty the Queen which extended warmest wishes to the delegates of 59th CP Conference from about 170 Parliaments and Legislatures. The message appreciated that CPA has chosen a most relevant theme of the Conference “Effective Solutions to Commonwealth Developmental Challenges”. Her Majesty the Queen wished all success for the Conference. The President of CPA counted the challenges being faced by the Commonwealth in form of home, food for millions, socio-economic security and development of people, peace and stability in various regions of the Commonwealth. He also noted the challenges in the area of gender equality, women emancipation, sanitation, health of child bearing women. Parliament in its proactive role should strive to promote tolerance, responsive governance, good governance and development. He emphasized that 59th Commonwealth Conference would re-affirm our belief in Democracy, Rule of Law and Human Rights. Other dignitaries present in the dais were Mr. Jacob Zuma Hon’ble President of the Republic of South Africa; Shri Kamlesh Sharma, Secretary- General, Commonwealth; Mr. F.W. Shija, Secretary-General, CPA; Sir Alan Haselhurst, Chairperson CPA Executive Committee. Sir Alan Haselhurst in his speech termed ailing Mr. Nelson Mandela as the Hero to the whole world and wished his speedy recovery. He informed the delegates how CPA is promoting the cause of youth and women through its various programme. He mentioned that administration structure as well internal audit system are being modified within the CPA. He requested delegates to support a universally accepted status of CPA. In his opening address President Zuma welcomed all the delegates to South Africa and reminded them how CPA has promoted Parliamentary democracy throughout the world. He also described how South Africa has fought the colonial rule and also apartheid in its way to democracy. He eulogized the support of Commonwealth given to South Africa in its road to liberation. H.E. President emphasized that Commonwealth Communiqué and Commonwealth Charter are model document for the Commonwealth countries and requested the delegates to deliberate on this during the Conference. Hon. President also appreciated that CWP Conference has become a part of the main Plenary Conference. President requested the delegates to push for more funds to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. He mentioned that different countries have different starting point towards achieving MDGs goals. It is now agreed that some countries need more financing to achieve these goals. Hon. President pleaded for Parliamentary supremacy for deepening democracy. Democratic institutions should be enriched. Parliaments should oversight the world peace and Mr. President wished that the conflicts in Syria and Arab World will be solved through UN and without violation of any international law. Vice-President of CPA Rt. Hon. Cavaye Y. Djibric, Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon gave vote of thanks and welcomed delegates to visit Cameroon which will host the 60th Commonwealth parliamentary conference in Yaoundé next year in October, 2014. First Plenary Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary General, Commonwealth delivered his key note address in the Plenary. Mr. Sharma mentioned that a new global plan is already underway on a post 2015 sustainable development framework which will emphasise on gender equality and pro-poor development. Secretary-General, Commonwealth praised the role of CPA whose members are parliamentarians and it helps in strengthening the principle of Parliamentary Democracy. It promotes the ideal of learning from one another and gaining through the exchange of ideas, experience and insight. Mr. Sharma informed the delegates that Commonwealth is putting emphasis on gender issue, working with men and boys on gender sensitivity, women empowerment, adoption of clear objectives of sound governance, including free and fair elections for representative legislatures in a participatory democracy, an independent judiciary, a well trained public service, a transparent and accountable public accounts system and machinery to protect human rights. Secretary-General, Commonwealth was of the view that substantial progress has been made both globally and in the Commonwealth, a long road still lies ahead, for example, meeting targets on basic education, reducing maternal mortality and hunger and pushing for gender equality. Secretary-General, Commonwealth informed that delegates that CHOGM will be held in November, 2013 in Sri Lanka. This meet will explore how growth and development can be advanced. Secretary-General, CPA informed the delegates that CPA will adopt a full Conference Concluding Statement in the 59th CPC as decided by the CPA General Assembly last year in Colombo, Sri Lanka. To achieve this Discussion Leaders in all the Workshops/Plenary will submit a recommendation of up to 25 words on the main point of his/her presentation. Moderator will ask for consensus of the delegates and in case of consensus the recommendation will be adopted. In case of no consensus the recommendation will only be noted. These recommendations will be brought to the attention of the respective executives. Secretary-General, CPA also informed the delegates that CPA is making first ever Business Plan for 2013-2015 that will support implementation of the Strategic Plan. CWP Business Meeting During the CWP Business Meeting the election for the post of Chairperson, CWP Steering Committee was held. Following were the two contestants for the post: (i) Ms. Lisa Baker, MLA Western Australia, Australia (ii) Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadga, MP Uganda As per the procedure for the election all the women delegates were eligible voters. Bio-data of both the candidates were circulated well in advance to all the CPA Branches. Both the candidates were nominated and seconded without speeches. The nominated candidates were given 10 minutes time one by one to address the delegates. There were 105 voters and 98 valid votes were polled out of which one vote was spoilt. Ms. Lisa Baker, MLA, Western Australia got 29 votes whereas Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, MP, Uganda received 68 votes. Ms. Kadaga was declared the winner by the Returning Officer Dr. William Shija, Secretary- General, CPA. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga is a lawyer by profession. She is currently the Speaker of Ugandan Parliament. India Region had not participated in CWP Business Meeting as there was no woman delegate. During the Conference following eight topics were discussed in Workshop Sessions: A Land Access and Ownership: Progress and Challenges