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Outcome of the G-8 International Parliamentarians' Conference on Development in Africa 2005 6-7 June 2005

The G-8 International Parliamentarians’ Conference on Development in Africa brought together members of Parliament and other key decision makers from G-8, African, and European nations to discuss the development challenges facing the African continent.  The Scottish Parliament hosted this high level event in Edinburgh  conference  in on June 6 and 7, 2005. 

At this conference Parliamentarians heard from leaders such as the Gambian Vice President, the Ugandan Minister for Trade and from international organisations such as UNFPA, the WHO, World Bank, IMF, Commission for Africa, IPPF, PAI, Transparency International and many others on the key challenges facing Africa, with a specific focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV/AIDS.  Parliamentarians also discussed  the report of the “Commission for Africa,” which is a comprehensive blueprint for addressing the development needs of the continent.  The Commission’s report will help shape the agenda of the G-8 Heads of State Summit in July in Gleneagles, Scotland, in July 2005. 

This conference was the only event designed specifically to help Parliamentarians maximize their influence – and that of the hundreds of thousands of constituents they represent – at the G-8 Summit.  Conference participants addressed the vital issues of HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health and rights, supporting sustainable development and agriculture; building effective nations and good governance; promoting peace, security, conflict prevention and resolution; developing the private sector and strengthening the capacity to trade and aid, trade and debt relief: the role of donor countries all of which should be on the agenda of the July G-8 Summit. The nearly 80 Parliamentarians in attendance, who play a key role in advancing the development agenda, seized  the opportunity to act before the G8 Summit in July 2005 to develop a declaration providing a clear sense of direction on the implementation, monitoring and ongoing support of G-8 Summit commitments.  Over 40 parliamentarians also signed a personal appeal to President Bush and Prime Minister Blair on the need to take action on Africa in the run up to the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in July 2005.

View the procedings of the Conference on the Scottish Parliament broadcasting website at: http://www.holyrood.tv

Download the Final Edinburgh Declaration

Download G8 Parliamentarians' Letter to President Bush and Prime Minister Blair

Download Conference Report