Report

Overview

The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C., Speaker of the Senate of Canada, and the Honourable Geoff Regan, P.C., M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, co-hosted the 24th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Vancouver, Canada from 17–21 January 2016. A joint delegation from the Canada–China Legislative Association and the Canada–Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group attended the Annual Meeting. It included:

• Honourable Victor Oh, Senator, Co-Chair of the Canada–China Legislative Association and Leader of the Canadian Delegation;

• Honourable David Tkachuk, Senator, then-Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group and Co-Chair of the 24th APPF Annual Meeting;

• Mr. Geng Tan, M.P., Co-Chair of the Canada-China Legislative Association and Co-Chair of the 24th APPF Annual Meeting;

• Honourable Donald Neil Plett, Senator, President of the APPF Executive Committee;

• Honourable Joseph A. Day, Senator, Chair of the APPF Drafting Committee;

• Honourable Mobina Jaffer, Senator, Co-Chair of the APPF Meeting of Women Parliamentarians;

• Honourable Jim Munson, Senator;

• Honourable David M. Wells, Senator;

• Mr. John Aldag, M.P.;

• Mr. Blaine Calkins, M.P.;

• Mr. Sukh Dhaliwal, M.P.;

• Mr. Earl Dreeshen, M.P.;

• Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P.;

• Mr. Ron McKinnon, M.P.;

• Mr. Joe Peschisolido, M.P.; and

• Honourable Alice Wong, P.C., M.P.  

Throughout the proceedings, members of the Canadian delegation engaged in dialogue with their counterparts on a range of issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific region. Delegates also addressed matters pertinent to Canadian foreign policy, including those relevant to the Annual Meeting’s overarching theme, Strengthened Partnerships for Prosperity, Security and Growth.

Background

The APPF is a forum of national parliamentarians from countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, 27 national parliaments of the following states are members: Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the United States of America, and Vietnam. Brunei is a permanent observer country.

As a regional parliamentary forum, the APPF enables parliamentarians to discuss issues of common concern, and to deepen their understanding of the region and the interests and experiences of its diverse countries. The forum addresses political, security, economic, social and cultural issues, thus furthering regional cooperation and fostering relationships between and among parliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific region.

The APPF was founded by former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, who is the APPF Honorary President. The purposes, principles and structure of the APPF were first set out in the Tokyo Declaration. Other milestone documents expanding on this declaration were adopted in Vancouver in 1997, Valparaiso in 2001 and Tokyo in 2012. The inaugural meeting of the APPF was held in Tokyo in 1993. The host of each Annual Meeting is determined at the preceding meeting. During the 23rd Annual Meeting in Quito, Ecuador, Canada was confirmed as the host of the 24th Annual Meeting.

Highlights of the 24th Annual Meeting: Canadian activities

1. Meeting of Women Parliamentarians   

The first-ever APPF Meeting of Women Parliamentarians was held on 17 January 2016, before the opening of the Annual Meeting. The initiative for convening this meeting originated with the Indonesian delegation to the 23rd Annual Meeting, who had proposed that the program for the next Annual Meeting include a distinct Meeting of Women Parliamentarians. This idea was fully supported and implemented by the Canadian Parliament. More than 40 delegates from 14 countries participated in the meeting, which was Co-Chaired by Senator Jaffer and the Honourable Dr. Nurhayati Ali Assegaf of Indonesia.

Participants discussed women’s participation in political and public life, with a focus on the following themes: challenges facing women’s representation in parliaments; measures that can help to increase women’s participation in public life; and, financing for women. The plenary also addressed women’s leadership in building disaster-resilient communities, an issue of particular consequence for the Asia-Pacific region – the most disaster-prone in the world – and for women, who are disproportionately affected by disasters.

In her introductory remarks, Senator Jaffer welcomed participants and thanked Dr. Assegaf for her contributions to the organization of this inaugural meeting. Senator Jaffer expressed her hope that the meeting would become a long-standing tradition within the APPF, providing a mechanism that would ensure that gender equality and women’s leadership would be addressed in all aspects of the APPF and its work, including in the realms of peace and security, economic and trade issues, and regional cooperation.

The Honourable Speaker Regan also welcomed the participants to Vancouver and acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the Co-Chairs to bring the meeting to fruition. Speaker Regan focused his remarks on the importance of partnership between women and men in strengthening women’s representation in decision-making positions, as well as advancing gender equality more broadly. Convening the APPF Meeting of Women Parliamentarians was a key step in ensuring that gender perspectives would be addressed consistently and comprehensively in the work of the APPF. As such, he emphasized that the results of the meeting would provide a legacy for future APPF meetings. The Parliament of Canada was, the Speaker stated, proud to have played a role in launching that process.

In her keynote remarks, Hedy Fry, M.P. focused on women’s equal representation and participation in the political arena, as well as women’s leadership in building disaster-resilient societies. Dr. Fry reflected on the evolution of the international community’s support for women’s empowerment during her 23 years in elected office, including from the perspective of the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women through to the recent adoption of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Dr. Fry explained that, while progress has been made, most parliaments still fall below the benchmark for women’s representation (30%) that, according to the United Nations, ensures a critical mass of women in parliament. In this regard, parliamentarians – as legislators and policy-makers – are in a unique position to support the full participation of women in all spheres of political, civil, economic and social life. In the parts of her speech that addressed natural disasters in the APPF region, Dr. Fry argued that the APPF’s member parliaments should prioritize the mobilization of women’s leadership in disaster prevention and response. Doing so would better prepare women, communities and societies for disaster recovery.

During the debate that followed, Alice Wong, M.P. made an intervention in which she focused on women’s participation in politics and women’s leadership in business and entrepreneurship from a Canadian perspective. Ms. Wong noted that there has been progress in increasing women’s representation in politics, thanks in part to some Canadian non-profit and non-partisan campaign schools that have been developed to provide mentoring and training to women. Ms. Wong also noted, however, that women remain underrepresented in corporate governance in Canada. In response to this situation, the federal government established in 2013 an Advisory Council of leaders from the private and public sectors with the goal of advancing women’s participation on corporate boards. The meeting concluded with a debate on the structure and purpose of future APPF Meetings of Women Parliamentarians, a forum that is not currently a formal aspect of the APPF. The input of all participants was sought in formulating a recommendation that would be made on their behalf by the Co-Chairs to the APPF Executive Committee later that afternoon.

2. Executive Committee   

Matters relevant to the management of the APPF are the responsibility of an Executive Committee, the only permanent committee of the APPF. It is chaired by the APPF President, who is appointed by the host parliament to represent the APPF from May in the year preceding the Annual Meeting to be hosted by that parliament until the following April.

As the APPF has no permanent secretariat, the host parliament assumes those responsibilities for the year, under the direction of the President. Duties include the development of the program and the draft agenda for the upcoming Annual Meeting, as well as the provision of all secretariat functions, in consultation with the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee comprises representatives of two countries from each of the APPF’s sub-regions. They are appointed for four-year terms; half of the positions are elected every two years. Also represented are the current and upcoming host countries. Current Executive Committee members are:

• Republic of Korea and Mongolia (Northeast Asia);

• Indonesia and Cambodia (Southeast Asia);

• New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (Oceania);

• Chile and Costa Rice (the Americas);

• Canada (host country);

• Fiji (host of the 25th Annual Meeting of the APPF); and

• Japan (appointed by the Honorary President).

As President of the APPF, Senator Plett chaired the Executive Committee meeting on 17 January 2016. He provided opening remarks in which he welcomed all participants to Vancouver and highlighted some of the key issues that would be addressed by the forum, including terrorism, displacement, nuclear proliferation, growth and prosperity, youth education, infrastructure and sustainable development. The Senator then introduced and spoke to the following agenda items:

• APPF members representing the APPF’s four sub-regions on the Executive Committee;

• Approval of the rules for the 24th Annual Meeting;

• Review and approval of the Draft Agenda for the 24th Annual Meeting

- Requests for the inclusion of supplementary items;

• Chair of the 24th Annual Meeting;

• Chair of the Drafting Committee;

• Draft resolutions submitted by APPF delegations;

• Future Annual Meetings of the APPF

- Rotation and schedule of host countries for future meetings;

• Other matters related to the work and management of the APPF

- Outcome of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians;

- Reports on previous APPF work;

• Report on the meeting of the Executive Committee[1].

Senator Day was nominated and approved as Chair of the Drafting Committee. He provided an overview of the draft resolutions that had been submitted by member countries, as well as the schedule and process that would be followed by the Drafting Committee and Working Groups in the consideration of those 48 items.

Dr. Assegaf and Senator Jaffer reported on the success of the first-ever APPF Meeting of Women Parliamentarians. They also presented the consensus proposal that such a meeting should be a permanent event at APPF Annual Meetings, and that steps should also be taken to increase women’s representation on the Executive Committee. Given that the formalization of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians as proposed would require amendments to the APPF Rules of Procedure, the Executive Committee decided that the Co-Chairs’ recommendation would be referred to the Committee’s meeting during the 25th Annual Meeting for further consideration.

  Each APPF Annual Meeting is organized according to an agenda, which is the focus of plenary debates. The agenda for the 24th Annual Meeting included the following themes:

• Political and Security Matters

- Strengthening peace and security in the Asia-Pacific Region;

- Addressing transnational crime and human trafficking;

- Combating terrorism;

- Building the tools of democracy and citizen engagement.

• Economic and Trade Matters

- Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Report by the Philippines, APEC 2015);

- Expanding regional trade and investment and optimizing global value chains;

- Promoting gateways and enhancing infrastructure;

- Fostering innovation and connectivity.

• Regional Cooperation

- Ensuring an optimistic and prosperous future for youth;

- Building resilience to disasters and crises;

- Protecting wildlife and advancing the sustainable management of land and marine ecosystems;

- Implementing the post-2015 development agenda and sustainable development goals.

• The APPF

- Outcome of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians;

- Reports on previous APPF work;

- Future work and hosts of APPF Annual Meetings;

- Adoption of resolutions and Joint Declaration.

More than 250 participants – including 113 parliamentarians – from 20 member countries and 1 observer country participated in the 24th Annual Meeting.[2]

As the host parliament, Canadian delegates fulfilled a number of institutional roles and participated actively in the plenary sessions, as well as the Drafting committee and Working Groups. These activities and interventions are summarized briefly below.

3.Plenary Sessions    

A. Opening Session   

The President of the APPF, Senator Plett, welcomed all participants to Vancouver. He highlighted the dedicated efforts of his parliamentary colleagues who had been involved in the preparations, as well as the guidance received from the APPF Honorary President, Mr. Nakasone, and the Parliament of Japan. Senator Plett reflected on the cooperative work that takes place during APPF Annual Meetings, something that he has experienced first-hand as a member of numerous Canadian delegations to the APPF. Following his opening remarks, Senator Plett introduced the other distinguished guests.

The Honourable Speaker Furey noted that the program for this year’s Annual Meeting provided delegates with a special opportunity to gather, in one place, with parliamentarians from across the vast Asia-Pacific region. Doing so would allow them not only to address issues of common concern, but to forge new bonds of cooperation and friendship. The Speaker highlighted Vancouver’s role as Canada’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific, and drew attention to the web of commercial, social and interpersonal connectivity that draws Asia-Pacific society together. He commented that, as the fastest growing region in the world, developments in the Asia-Pacific are having a significant influence on the overall trajectory of global prosperity and global affairs. Speaker Furey also noted that the cooperative work undertaken at APPF Annual Meetings is indicative of the important function of parliamentary diplomacy.

Remarks were also made by Ms. Heather Deal, Deputy Mayor of the city of Vancouver (on behalf of the Mayor of Vancouver), the Honourable Takuji Yanagimoto, Member of Japan’s House of Councillors and Head of the Delegation of Japan (on behalf of the APPF Honorary President), and Pam Goldsmith-Jones, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (on behalf of the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs)[3].

At the conclusion of the opening session, the Agenda for the 24th Annual Meeting was adopted. Senator Tkachuk and Geng Tan, M.P. were designated as the Co-Chairs of the Annual Meeting.

Political and Security Matters

During the plenary sessions, delegates from participating countries made speeches on the various agenda items, the progress of which followed the organization of the program.

As Co-Chair of the Annual Meeting, Senator Tkachuk opened the debate by underscoring the diversity, timeliness and relevance of the agenda topics. He provided an overview of the process that would be followed throughout the plenary sessions, emphasizing that interventions would be guided by the two foundational principles of the APPF: a commitment to frank and constructive dialogue, and equal respect for the views of all participants.

As the other Co-Chair of the Annual Meeting, Geng Tan, M.P. offered introductory remarks on the plenary’s first agenda item, “Building the Tools of Democracy and Citizen Engagement.” It was, he commented, fitting to launch an inter-parliamentary meeting with such a topic as it would provide the opportunity to discuss the very institutions and democratic principles that are at the heart of parliamentary work. Mr. Tan also highlighted the fact that the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a goal to “build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” He argued that such a goal will help to elevate the role and responsibility of parliamentarians in global efforts to promote good governance and to address democratic issues, such as the inclusion of marginalized populations, the fight against corruption and the protection of human rights.

Also as part of the plenary’s consideration of its first agenda item – building the tools of democracy – Earl Dreeshen, M.P. made remarks on parliamentary cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. He emphasized that the exchange of ideas among parliamentarians in the region can foster a common Asia-Pacific community, while helping to bring the greatest possible opportunities to the nearly three billion people living in the region.

Mr. Dreeshen also indicated that parliamentary diplomacy gives parliamentarians a more global perspective on their work when they return to their respective countries. Such activities can help to improve understanding of different issues, thus enhancing support for international action. During the plenary session on regional peace and security issues, Senator Munson delivered a speech on North Korea in light of the announcement that it had conducted a fourth nuclear test on 6 January 2016. This act, he emphasized, had been done in contravention of North Korea’s international obligations, including resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. He also drew attention to numerous reports documenting the North Korean regime’s systematic violations of the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of its citizens. Such wanton disregard for international law, Senator Munson stated, necessitates a concerted and comprehensive response on the part of the international community. The Senator concluded by highlighting the complementary draft resolutions submitted by Canada, as well as Japan and the Republic of Korea, on these issues, which he framed as powerful statements of principle and practical action.

After expressing condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack that had recently taken place in Jakarta, Senator Jaffer stated that such attacks reinforce the global nature of the challenge posed by terrorism. Moreover, she underscored that all members of society must be involved in efforts to counter terrorism, including women who must be empowered and provided with safe platforms to challenge violent extremism and radicalization in their communities. The Senator also emphasized the issue of financing, a subject on which Canada had sponsored a draft resolution. She called for a global effort to criminalize and suppress all forms of terrorist financing and the related problem of money laundering. Canada’s draft resolution, Senator Jaffer explained, was anchored by United Nations Security Council resolutions and Financial Action Task Force recommendations, and called for actions related to implementation, oversight and capacity-building.

Economic and Trade Matters

During the plenary session on fostering innovation and connectivity, Alice Wong, M.P. delivered a speech that highlighted the role of innovation in Canada’s development, from both a historical perspective and in the current context. In discussing the transition from an industrial society to an “information society,” she emphasized the increasing importance of information and communications technology. In that regard, Ms. Wong encouraged parliamentarians from APPF member states to work collectively towards an Asia-Pacific that is integrated, innovative and interconnected.

Hedy Fry. M.P. gave a speech during the session devoted to the expansion of regional trade and investment, with a particular focus on the optimization of global value chains. She observed that, with the globalization of production and the reduction or elimination of obstacles to trade, many firms have set up production locations in a number of countries, and are sourcing their production inputs worldwide. Consequently, Dr. Fry highlighted the important role that parliamentarians of Asia-Pacific countries must play to develop legislation, regulations and policies that support this new model of integrated international trade. Such initiatives can also help to maximize the benefits associated with global value chains, including their contribution to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Regional Cooperation in Asia-Pacific Senator Jaffer delivered a speech on women’s economic empowerment during the plenary session on Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. Economic empowerment, she stressed, must be understood as the ability to contribute meaningfully to economic growth and to ensure that this contribution is fully recognized in the whole society. Such contributions, she noted, allow empowered groups and persons to reap a fairer share of the benefits of growth and prosperity. Moreover, a higher level of gender equality in a country is associated with lower poverty rates and higher GDP growth. With the aim of advancing women’s economic empowerment in the region, Senator Jaffer underlined her belief that governments can act on three main fronts: education, equality in employment and entrepreneurship. She concluded by seeking delegates’ support for the adoption of Canada’s draft resolution on women’s economic empowerment.

As part of the session on regional cooperation in Asia-Pacific, Senator Oh spoke about the necessity of ensuring an optimistic and prosperous future for youth. He emphasized how important it is for young people to be able to adapt to rapidly changing technology and situations, while also stressing that young people need to be able to interact with people from other cultures as the world becomes more global. In that regard, Senator Oh explained how exchanges can encourage better understanding among people from different cultures. To illustrate that point, he provided examples of Canadian exchange programs. One is the more than 100 agreements that have been put in place between Chilean and Canadian educational institutions to encourage student mobility and faculty exchanges. Another example is the efforts that have been undertaken by the Embassy of Canada in Japan to set up a special exchange program to assist youth from the affected areas following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Senator Oh also delivered a speech on the conservation and sustainable management of the region’s shared ocean. He highlighted the socioeconomic importance of the Pacific Ocean as a source of fish stocks, minerals and energy resources; a conduit for trade and connectivity among APPF countries; and as an “invaluable cultural and spiritual asset” for the people of the APPF region.   In his recommendation of the Canadian draft resolution on a healthy ocean, Senator Oh discussed three critical issues of concern for APPF member states: pollution, overfishing and climate change. He urged all states to step up their efforts to manage oceanic risks, including urban, industrial and rural waste run-offs, marine debris, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The Senator also stressed the need to improve the region’s scientific and research capacity in order to better forecast and adapt to climate change, pointing out that collaboration and knowledge-sharing will be necessary to strengthen regional collective action. In conclusion, he reaffirmed that the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources is a matter of concern for food security and economic resilience in the APPF region.

B. Closing Session   

As Chair of the final session, Senator Tkachuk summarized the work of the plenary debates on political and security matters, economic and trade matters and regional cooperation. He reported that the interventions had been thoughtful and engaging, thus enhancing delegates’ understanding of the key challenges and opportunities facing the Asia-Pacific region in 2016 and beyond.

Senator Jaffer presented a report on the outcome of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians, emphasizing that the meeting had provided women delegates with an important forum within which they could express their voices and views, helped increase awareness of gender concerns among APPF member states, and served to mainstream gender considerations into the work of the Annual Meeting. A concrete outcome of these discussions was the adoption of a resolution on women’s participation at all levels of political and public life. Senator Jaffer also drew attention to the recommendation that had emerged from the meeting, namely that the APPF Meeting of Women Parliamentarians should be a permanent event at every Annual Meeting and that women should be formally represented on the Executive Committee. Offering her full support for the establishment of a permanent meeting, Senator Jaffer committed to ensuring that the recommendation would be referred to the next Executive Committee meeting to be held in Fiji in January 2017.

The President of the 24th Annual Meeting, Senator Plett, then congratulated the delegates and commended them for their important contributions to all of the plenary sessions, Working Groups and Drafting Committee, which, he emphasized, had ensured a productive, cooperative and inclusive Annual Meeting. That spirit and productivity, he noted, had reinforced the importance of strengthening parliamentary relationships and the ties that bind the diverse countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Such partnerships contribute to the advancement of common interests in fostering prosperity, enhancing security, and stimulating growth.

Senator Day, the Chair of the Drafting Committee, informed the plenary that the Committee was recommending 27 resolutions for adoption, the most ever adopted by an APPF Annual Meeting. Eight resolutions discussed various aspects of regional security, ranging from the promotion of peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, to the serious challenges posed by terrorism and transnational crime. Five resolutions focused on economic cooperation, with themes including the fostering of innovation and connectivity, as well as investment in gateways and infrastructure. Another, which had been the subject of collaboration by six sponsoring delegations, addressed the “economy, trade and regional value chains.” The fourteen resolutions on regional cooperation aimed to establish a durable foundation for security and prosperity in the region

Senator Tkachuk moved adoption of the 27 resolutions and the Joint Communiqué prepared by the Drafting Committee, which were approved by the plenary

Remarks were also provided by Mr. Yanagimoto, Head of the Delegation of Japan, on behalf of the APPF Honorary President

C. Drafting Committee and Working Groups   

Under the APPF’s Rules of Procedure, a Drafting Committee is established at the Annual Meeting on the advice of the Executive Committee. It prepares resolutions and a joint communiqué. All texts approved by the Drafting Committee – operating on the basis of consensus – are submitted to the Annual Meeting for final approval and release. This work is the lasting result, in concrete terms, of each Annual Meeting as it expresses the view of the APPF membership on key issues of regional concern, including with respect to needed actions in the realms of domestic and international policy.

In addition to the Drafting Committee, a number of Working Groups are established that meet concurrently to the Drafting Committee and report to it upon the conclusion of their deliberations. The main function of the Working Groups is to resolve instances in which multiple draft resolutions have been submitted on the same or similar topics with the aim of consolidating them into one agreed version for the Drafting Committee’s consideration. More generally, the Working Groups can also help to expedite the work of the Drafting Committee by examining the content of draft resolutions in detail. Representatives from all delegations can participate in the Drafting Committee and each Working Group.

Delegations had submitted 48 draft resolutions to the 24th Annual Meeting. During the organizational meeting of the Drafting Committee, Senator Day explained the process, rules and approach that would be followed by that Committee and the Working Groups in meetings to be held on 18, 19 and 20 January 2016.

As host, Canadian parliamentarians were responsible for chairing each Working Group. Additionally, one or more members of the delegation represented Canada in the negotiation of the draft resolutions that were on each Working Group’s agenda. The Working Groups were organized according to the following themes:

• Working Group 1: Peace and Security

- Chair: Senator Plett

- Canadian Representative: Senator Wells

• Working Group 2: Terrorism and International Crime

- Chair: Earl Dreeshen, M.P.

- Canadian Representatives: Senator Tkachuk and Sukh Dhaliwal, M.P.

• Working Group 3: Economy and Trade

- Chair: Alice Wong, M.P.

- Canadian Representative: Ron McKinnon, M.P.

• Working Group 4: Innovation, Infrastructure and Connectivity

- Chair: Hedy Fry, M.P.

• Working Group 5: Tools of Democracy

- Chair: Ron McKinnon, M.P.

- Canadian Representative: Senator Munson

• Working Group 6: Disasters and Crises

- Chair: Senator Jaffer

- Canadian Representative: John Aldag, M.P.

In Working Group 1, Senator Wells presented the Canadian delegation’s draft resolution entitled, “Achieving Denuclearization, Stability and Peace on the Korean Peninsula.” It expressed deep concern regarding North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and called for the full and transparent implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, as well as the commitments agreed by the Six-Party Talks. Its overall objectives were as follows: improved inter-Korean relations; abandonment of the DPRK’s nuclear weapons and related programs, and establishment of lasting conditions of peace and stability. Canada’s draft resolution also addressed human rights and humanitarian concerns.  

In Working Group 2, Senator Tkachuk presented the Canadian delegation’s draft resolution entitled, “Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.” It drew attention to the pernicious link between terrorism and transnational crime, problems that must be met with a coordinated response at the global, regional and national levels. It called for actions related to implementation, oversight, resourcing, reporting, and capacity-building. In particular, APPF Member States were urged to accelerate their implementation of all United Nations anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing conventions, resolutions and protocols, as well as the Financial Action Task Force’s recommendations on combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

In Working Group 3, Ron McKinnon, M.P. presented the Canadian delegation’s draft resolution entitled, “International Trade and Regional Value Chains.” The resolution focused on the role of global value chains in driving regional economic cooperation, the primary focus of the work of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The resolution highlighted the need for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in value chains. It also called for investment in trade-related infrastructure, as well as adherence to internationally recognized labour standards, and laws and regulations on environmental protection.

In Working Group 5, Senator Munson presented two draft resolutions on behalf of the Canadian delegation. The first one, entitled “Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Cooperation,” focused on regional parliamentary cooperation and the role that parliamentarians play in establishing conditions that can sustain prosperity, security and growth for all, which linked to the overall theme of the Annual Meeting. The operative section of the resolution aimed to ensure that the APPF itself is positioned to play an influential role in advocating for such cooperation, including by ensuring broad participation in, awareness of, and regular follow-up to its work. The second resolution, which was drafted jointly with Indonesia, was entitled “Ensuring Women’s Participation at all Levels of Political and Public Life.” It framed the realization of women’s participation in political and public life as a human right, the fulfilment of which can strengthen civic engagement, peace, prosperity and social cohesion. The draft resolution also addressed key barriers to participation, calling for actions that can overcome those impediments.

In Working Group 6, John Aldag, M.P. presented the Canadian delegation’s draft resolution entitled, “Strengthening the global response to humanitarian crises.” The resolution was drafted in anticipation of the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, to be held in May 2016, with the aim of recognizing that the global humanitarian system is under strain, and that current levels of humanitarian assistance are insufficient to address the needs of the historic number of people in distress. It urged APPF Member States to contribute to a humanitarian system that is effective and inclusive, focused on affected people and communities, and based on the prioritization of dignity, protection and resilience

As the representative of the Canadian delegation on the Drafting Committee, Blaine Calkins, M.P. participated actively in its many sessions, presenting and negotiating the Canadian delegation’s position on various draft resolutions and proposed amendments to them. All of the Drafting Committee sessions were moderated and facilitated by the Chair, Senator Day.

Ms. Wong, M.P. presented the Canadian delegation’s draft resolution entitled, “Women’s Economic Empowerment for Regional Growth and Prosperity” to the Drafting Committee. The resolution focused on women’s economic empowerment as a fundamental component of sustainable development and inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region. It called for measures that can ensure women have the right and the opportunities to contribute to economic life. Key measures identified by the draft resolution included the prevention of labour and workplace discrimination and steps that can ensure equal access to education, economic resources, financial services and social protection systems.

Furthermore, Mr. Calkins, M.P. presented the Canadian delegation’s draft resolution entitled, “Conserving and Sustainably Managing our Shared Ocean.” Its overall objective was to enhance efforts to conserve marine and coastal resources. The draft resolution addressed three main issues that the delegation considered to be significant threats to the oceanic health: pollution, overfishing and climate change. Overall, it called on all APPF Parliaments to recognize the imperative of protecting and preserving the ocean. It further expressed shared resolve to provide oversight of national implementation of international and regional conventions and commitments, and to work to mainstream ocean-related concerns in policy, legislative and budgeting processes. From its detailed consideration, first of the resolutions addressing stand-alone topics and then of all of the resolutions brought forward following the deliberations of the Working Groups, the Drafting Committee was able to reach consensus on 27 resolutions. Those documents were then presented and approved by the final plenary session in the afternoon of 20 January 2016. This total included seven of the resolutions – as amended and merged – that had been sponsored by the Canadian delegation.

The full list of resolutions adopted by the Annual Meeting is as follows:

• Women’s Economic Empowerment for Regional Growth and Prosperity (sponsored by Canada);

• Empowering Older Persons in Society

• Conserving and Sustainably Managing our Shared Ocean (sponsored by Canada);

• Acknowledgement of Indigenous Peoples;

• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

• Enhancing Cooperative Action on Climate Change;

• Sustainable Energy;

• Ensuring an Optimistic and Prosperous Future for Youth;

• Fostering and Strengthening Connectivity towards Economic Integration and Shared Prosperity in the Asia-Pacific Region;

• Fostering Innovation and Connectivity;

• Promoting Gateways and Enhancing Infrastructure to Facilitate Economic and Trade Goals;

• Promoting the Development of the Halal Ecosystem;

• Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (sponsored by Canada);

• Arms Trade Treaty;

• Political and Security Matters in Asia Pacific;

• Addressing Transnational Organized Crime, specifically Trafficking in Persons, Drugs and some Illegal (Unregulated and Unreported) Fishing;

• Economy, Trade and Regional Value Chains (co-sponsored by Canada, the Russian Federation, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico and Thailand);

• The Middle East Peace Process;

• Promoting Peace on the Korean Peninsula and Improving Inter-Korean Relations (co-sponsored by Canada, Japan and the Republic of Korea);

• Building an Inter-Parliamentary Network on Anti-Corruption;

• Building the Tools of Democracy;

• Ensuring Women’s Participation at All Levels of Political and Public Life (co-sponsored by Canada, New Zealand and Indonesia);

• Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers;

• Counter-Terrorism;

• Strengthening the Global Response to Humanitarian Crises (sponsored by Canada);

• Responsibilities of States and Parliaments Towards Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Humanitarian Crises; and

• Building Resilience to Disasters and Crises.

The Drafting Committee also finalized the draft joint communiqué that had been prepared for the Committee’s consideration by Senator Day. The Joint Communiqué was then signed by all participating heads of delegation during the final plenary session. It, notably, emphasizes the success of the inaugural APPF Meeting of Women Parliamentarians and participants’ support for the meeting’s continuation at future APPF Annual Meetings.  

D. Other Activities   

As Co-Hosts of the 24th Annual Meeting, the Honourable George J. Furey, Speaker of the Senate, and the Honourable Geoff Regan, Speaker of the House of Commons, held a number of bilateral meetings and hosted official events and receptions.

  Members of the Canadian delegation participated in bilateral meetings with delegates from the following countries:

• Australia;

• China;

• Ecuador;

• Indonesia;

• Japan; and

• Singapore.

These exchanges provided important opportunities for the Canadian delegation to develop stronger parliamentary ties with other countries. During these meetings, delegates were able to discuss issues relevant to bilateral relations and shared multilateral goals.

Conclusion

The Canada-China Legislative Association and Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group attach great importance to the work of the APPF, of which the Canadian Parliament is a founding member. The APPF enables Canadian parliamentarians to build relationships with their counterparts from across the Asia-Pacific, in a forum where they can work together to address the issues facing the region today. Canadian parliamentarians look forward to participating in the 25th Annual Meeting of the APPF in Fiji in January 2017.

Respectfully submitted,