ASIA/PAKISTAN - Members of Asian Parliaments unite to rid the continent of poverty, hunger and terrorism

Thursday, 2 December 2004

Islamabad (Fides Service) - Representatives from more than 30 countries in Asia, from Turkey to Japan, are taking part in an Assembly of Members of Asian Parliaments in Islamabad, Pakistan, to discuss major challenges facing the continent: how to eliminate poverty and hunger, reach everyone with education, reduce infant mortality rates, fight AIDS and terrorism and guarantee everyone sustainable development.
The Assembly also intends to increase dialogue among MPs and create an Asian fund for the struggle to eliminate poverty.
“We are called to support objectives identified by the Millennium Declaration drafted by the United Nations and draw a sort of road-map to guarantee our peoples a dignified living standards”, said MP Jose de Venecia from the Philippines.
The members of Parliament will also discuss possible co-operation among various bodies which unite Asian countries in different regions: South East Asia, South Asia, Persian Gulf countries, Central Asia.
The assembly formed study groups to focus on five main areas of intervention: political; economic and social; peace and security; youth; women.
The MPs intend to promote better social, economic and political integration of Asia, intensifying co-operation on common problems including terrorism,, diseases, drug abuse and crime.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/12/2004 Righe: 26 Parole: 261)


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