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The Canadian delegation was composed of the following members: From the Senate: Hon. Nick Sibbeston, Senator (co-leader of the delegation) and Hon. Mac Harb, Senator. From the House of Commons: Mr. Deepak Obhrai, MP (co-leader of the delegation) and Hon. Bryon Wilfert, P.C., MP (co-leader of the delegation). Staff: Mr. Rémi Bourgault, Delegation Secretary. The Hon. Nick Sibbeston, Senator, and Mr. Deepak Obhrai, M.P., led the Canadian parliamentary delegation that participated in the 13th Annual Assembly of the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians’ Conference on Environment and Development (APPCED) held in Islamabad, Pakistan, from February 26 to March 3, 2007. Delegates from 19 parliaments attended the 13th Assembly. The Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Conference on Environment and Development (APPCED) was established by the Korean Parliament in June 1993. APPCED is designed to provide ample opportunities to share ideas, experiences and policies being considered by parliamentarians to strengthen legislative activities for sustainable development. The aim of APPCED is to achieve the sustainable utilization of natural resources, reduction of environmental pollution and the maintenance of ecological balance in the Asia and Pacific region. The Conference, which is the only parliamentary conference dedicated to the environment and development, is held every year and is composed of the member parliaments of 46 countries. The theme of the 13th Assembly was: water conservation and sustainable development. In addition to attending a meeting of the executive and the presentation of country papers from the participating countries, delegates attended the following presentations: · Water Conservation and Management Practices · Water and Environmental Security · Trans-Boundary Water Issues The Canadian delegation gave a presentation on fresh water management in Canada. The Conference was an opportunity for parliamentarians to hold lively discussions and resulted in the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration. The text of the declaration adopted is set out in Appendix A. Conclusion The Canadian Parliament is a member of the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on Environment and Development (APPCED). The Conference gives Canadian parliamentarians an opportunity to engage in dialogue with their counterparts from other countries on important issues relating to the environment and development. The Canadian section of APPCED will be pleased to participate in the 14th Annual Assembly in Sri Lanka in 2008.
A summary of the expenses incurred for this activity is attached.
Respectfully submitted,
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