[25/April/2004] Perhaps it was not accidental of the 1st conference for the Association of Senates and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the
Arab World to take place particularly Sana'a and more particularly in the wonderful spring season.

This city, remarkably gaining significance from day to day on the regional and international level, is emerging to be a city of conferences. There are many indicators in this direction. Not only the political atmosphere but the wonderful weather is getting more conducive for such spectacular events in this unique Middle East city.

The 1st Conference for the Association of Senates and Equivalent
Councils in Africa and the Arab World is of paramount significance. It is goes beyond the region in the concern about it, as it concerns Asia's neighboring continent, Africa.

It ushers in a new stage of cooperation and liaison that is inevitable among countries of similar development levels and a political momentum that develops in favor of democracy and human rights.

About four months ago, Sana'a hosted the Regional Intergovernmental Conference for Democracy, Human Rights and the Role of the International Criminal Court. Years earlier, Yemen has hosted an international conference for journalists. Both conferences produced declarations of commitment to the ideals of freedom and democracy.

This conference will produce a declaration that for strengthening the Afro-Arab cooperation through the senates and Shura councils that represent the legislatures of countries and hold the political powers in their countries.

The expected perspective of the conference will be oriented toward forging a new point of cooperation between the countries participating in the conference.

It will, in fact, mark the foundation of a special cooperation between the South Countries and make them rely more on cooperation within them than their cooperation with the North Countries.

Yemen, as a host of this event, is demonstrating a firm interest in making the cooperation between the Arab and the African countries be based on the commitment to the principles of freedom, democracy and human rights. Yemen is interested in the establishment of these ideals profoundly.

Once again, Sana'a affords an ideal environment for forums that use dialogue as a means of bridging the gap between societies of various civilizations.

It is only much expected for the politicians partaking in this conference to successfully bring advantage to the Association member countries.






SABA