[26/April/2004]

SANA’A, April 26 (Saba) – Arab and African senates and second
chambers on Monday designated the capital Sana’a as the
center for their association.

According to sources in the 1st conference of the Afro-Arab Senates
and Second Chambers in Africa and the Arab World told Saba that the
meeting unanimously agreed on Sana’a as the headquarter of the
association.

The meeting also changed the association’s name to the "Association
of Senates and Shura Equivalent Councils in African and World Arab ,
instead of the former name ‘Association of Senates and Equivalent
Councils in Africa and the Arab World’.

The delegates approved several amendments to the assocition’s
charter that is due to be voted in the final session of the
conference on Tuesday, said the sources.

The three-day gathering brought together delegations from 27 Arab
and African countries and international organizations.

The draft charter advocates the bicameral model, strengthens
cooperation between nations and advances the efforts of senates
toward further involvement of the public in decision-making.

KM/NS