Report on the Work of

Global Parliamentarians on Habitat
From the European Continent

1996 - 2008

Berlin, April 2008

 

Report on the work of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat
from the European Continent

 

At the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul in 1996, the European parliamentarians agreed to co-operate more closely to promote the implementation of the Habitat II objectives within the national parliaments and to support their governments in finding solutions to the growing problems of adequate shelter and human settlements development. Working groups should be set up within the national parliaments to support this process, to ensure that Habitat remains on the political agenda and increase public awareness of these issues.

 

Meetings of the Board of Directors

 

1st Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 15 October 1996, Bonn/Germany

The parliamentarians report on national parliamentary activities (setting up Habitat working groups, parliamentary initiatives on issues relating to Habitat, implementation of Local Agenda 21). The European parliamentarians agree to hold a First European Regional Conference at European level in 1997. Furthermore, the Board of Directors, to be elected at the Conference, will meet 2-3 times a year.

 

2nd Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 17 February 1997, The Hague/Netherlands

The main theme of this meeting is the preparation of the First European Regional Conference. Luxembourg is discussed as a possible venue, as Luxembourg is due to take over the European Presidency in the second half of 1997. It is agreed that contact will be established with Luxembourg in this connection.

 

3rd Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 18 June 1997, Brussels/Belgium

The First European Regional Conference is to take place in October/November 1997. It will also deal with preparations for the Second Global Forum of Parliamentarians at the beginning of January 1998 in Cancun, Mexico. Talks with Luxembourg about staging the Conference there have not yet been concluded. However, it is becoming apparent that the Conference will take place in another European country.

On the basis of the by-laws devised in Istanbul, candidates are proposed for election to the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat. These proposals should be put to delegates at the First European Regional Conference. It is also proposed that two permanent commissions be established, focussing on “Sustainable Human Settlements” and “Sufficient and Adequate Housing”.

The chairpersons of the permanent commissions are also to be elected by the delegates at the Conference. Proposals for the chairs are Turkey (“Sustainable Human Settlements”) and Romania (“Sufficient and Adequate Housing”).

 

4th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 1 September 1997, Helsinki/ Finland

At this meeting it is decided that the First European Regional Conference should take place in Bonn, Germany, from 3-5 November 1997, as it is not possible to stage the Conference in Luxembourg. It is agreed that letters will
be sent to the Speakers of the European parliaments to draw attention to the First European Regional Conference and to invite parliamentarians interested in the Habitat issues to attend.

 

5th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 3 November 1997, Bonn/Germany

This meeting takes place within the framework of the First European Regional Conference and is attended by the President of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Senator Oscar Lopez Velarde Vega (Mexico). Senator Vega will conduct the elections to the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent and to the permanent commissions.

 

6th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent (constituent meeting of the newly elected Board of Directors), 5 November 1997, Bonn/Germany

The members of the Board of Directors agree that the Conference was a great success in furthering the Habitat follow-up process. The members also emphasise the need for personal contacts and an exchange of views amongst European parliamentarians.

It is suggested that an international network be set up via the Internet to enable information on issues relating to Habitat to be accessed. A working group is set up to devise a strategy for the information system (Informational System of European Parliamentarians on Habitat, ISEPAH), chaired by Professor Branislav Ivkovic (Yugoslavia). It will draft proposals.

 

7th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 27 January 1998, Cancun/Mexico (within the framework of the Second Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat)

The main purpose of this meeting is to outline the first specific concepts for the ISEPAH information system (Informational System of European Parliamentarians on Habitat). Initially, comprehensive data will be researched using questionnaires to provide a basis for the information system. The funding of the project is a major problem. It is suggested that the project should be presented at European level and linked – also in financial terms - with information sources which may already exist there. The issue of cost and funding should be reviewed again.

The members of the Board of Directors report that information systems of this kind are already being considered at national level in some cases. It seems important to establish a link between them in order to ensure a regular exchange of information and to avoid duplication of work.

 

8th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 16 July 1998, Bucharest/Romania

A working document on the current state of preparations for the ISEPAH project is presented. As ever, the funding of the project is the major problem. On this issue, contact was also established with the UN Centre for Human Settlements in Nairobi and at European level. The possibility of adding to/expanding existing information systems is also being considered to increase the project’s chances of being implemented.

The members of the Board of Directors discuss the draft of the World Charter of Local Self-Government, which was drafted jointly by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements and the World Association of Cities and Local Authorities Co-ordination. They wish to co-operate intensively on implementing the World Charter of Local Self-Government. Parliamentarians from Germany, Croatia, Finland, Serbia, the Netherlands and Romania report on national activities and legislative proposals relating to Habitat.

In scheduling further activities, it is decided that the 2nd European Regional Conference should take place at the beginning of 1999 in a Central or Eastern European country in order to present the issues relating to Habitat to a wide audience there and to anchor them at national level.

 

9th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 1-2 December 1998, Turin/Italy (within the framework of the Habitat Follow-up Conference in Turin, “New Partnership for Action”)

The Board of Directors agrees to stage the 2nd European Regional Conference in Zagreb, Croatia, from 1-3 February 1999. The main theme of the Conference is to present and discuss the World Charter of Local Self-Government. The findings of the Conference should feed into the 17th Session of the United Nations in Nairobi at the beginning of May 1999. The ISEPAH project should also be presented to parliamentarians to seek their support and co-operation. The meeting continues on 2 December 1998 with the participation of Senator Oscar Lopez Velarde Vega, President of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat.

 

10th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 1 February 1999, Zagreb/Croatia

This meeting takes place within the framework of the Second Regional Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent. The meeting is attended by Senator Oscar Lopez Velarde Vega, President of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians, Mexico.

Details of the “Declaration of Zagreb” are discussed which will be adopted by the Conference participants. An important element of the “Declaration of Zagreb” includes the support of the efforts of the United Nations for a World Charter of Local Self-Government.

The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent become convinced that the goals of the Habitat Agenda can be achieved best with decentral structures and local self-government.

The Presidium decides to elect the new Board of Directors at the Third Regional Forum of Parliamentarians. It is announced that this conference will be held in Finland in the spring of 2000.

 

11th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 12 October 1999, Berlin/Germany

The meeting is held at the new seat of the German Parliament in the Reichstag Building in Berlin. President Götz welcomes as guest Mr. Pietro Garau, United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), Nairobi/Kenya. He thanks the Croatian Parliament and particularly the Croatian colleague Mr. Radimir Cacic, for the excellent preparation and successful implementation of the Second Regional Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent held in Zagreb/Croatia, February 1999.

The chaiman reports on discussions held by the EU-Commission in Brussels, March 1999. The talks had centred mainly on presenting the ISEPAH project, prepared by the project team in Belgrade, and discussing the question of whether a comparable system existed at the EU Commission, the objective being to create a possible link with the ISEPAH system of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent and to build up a joint information system.

The Turkish colleagues reports on the earthquakes in their country and the implications for the people, for the economy and for politics. In the framework of EXPO 2000 the Global Conference on the Urban Future “URBAN 21” takes place the 4 to 6 July in Berlin/Germany. The topics will be the worldwide problems about urban development – independent of national interests. The Presidium comes to the decision that the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat assume the patronage for the “Forum of Parliamentarians”, which is scheduled for Wednesday, 5 July 2000. More over they decide to carry out the next Presidium Meeting in the framework of the Global Conference.

 

12th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 23 February 2000, Vilnius/Lithuania

The Romanian colleague Mr. Radu Liviu Bara chairs the meeting, because the President is unable to participate. Mr. Bara underlines the importance of the Third Regional Forum, as a basis to support the European Parliamentarians to strenghten the goals of Habitat.

The Parliamentarians discuss the darft of a “Declaration of Helsinki”. The Turkish and Yugoslavian Delegation introduce their proposals to be included in the draft Declaration.

The Yugoslavian Delegation express that the greatest problem of implementing the ISEPAH project represents the lack of adequate funding.
Mr. Bara underlines the importance of the Third Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat in Manila which will precede the Istanbul+5 UN Conference and it will offer an excellent opportunity to define the specific position of the European Parliamentarians on Habitat matters.

At the end of the meeting Mr. Bara points out the next presidium meeting, to be held on Monday, 27 March 2000, before the Third Regional Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent.

 

13th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 27 March 2000, Helsinki/Finland

The meeting takes place in the framework of the Third Regional Forum of Parliamentarians in the Parliament of Finland. The Presidium deals above all with the personnel structure and contents of the conference and necessary final agreements.

 

14th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 29 March 2000, Helsinki/Finland

The Fourteenth Meeting represents the constituent meeting of the newly elected Presidium. In this meeting forthcoming activities, above all the preparatory conference in May in Nairobi, URBAN 21 in Berlin and the Third Global Forum end of July 2000 in Manila, are discussed.

 

15th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 5 July 2000, Berlin/Germany

The Meeting takes place in the framework of the Global Conference on the urban future URBAN 21 in the International Congress Centre (ICC) in Berlin.
The President thanks once more the Finnish colleagues, first of all Mrs. Tarja Kautto and Mr. Pentti Tiusanen, for the excellent preparation and organisation of the Third Regional Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, which took place 27th to 28th of March 2000 in the Finnish Parliament.

The President reports about the preparatory conference Istanbul+5, 8th to 12th May 2000 Nairobi/Kenya. Under the chair of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat the symposium “National Legislation in the process of Habitat” was carried out. The President also attended the “Dialogue on the Norms of Good Urban Governance”. For the following conferences to prepare Istanbul+5 it is important for the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat to be strongly represented. The team “Habitat Focal Point” from Belgrade presents in the Meeting the information system “ISEPAH”. The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat should transmit informations about their national legislation to the “Habitat Focal Point”. The ISEPAH-system will be present also in the framework of URBAN 21 in the foyer of the ICC.

The President informs the participants of the Meeting about the supporting acts of the Third Global Forum, to be held the 25th ot 28th of July 2000 in Manila/Philippines. Mr. Götz will present the Regional Report at the conference in Manila.

The “Forum of Parliamentarians” takes place in the framework of URBAN 21 on 5th July in the afternoon. The Forum is conducted under the patronage of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat. Following the introduction by Mr. Götz, Mrs. Dr. Assen as an expert from the Netherlands introduces the topic. Further experts are the Russian colleague Mr. Yashin, Mr. Pramböck from Austria and Mrs. Muwanguzi from Uganda. The Forum considers two issues: “World Charter of Local Self Government” and “Good Urban Governance”.

Mr. Götz draws attention to the excursion on Friday, 7 July 2000. The Waldstadt Wünsdorf Development Corporation has invited the Board of Directors to visit the Waldstadt Wünsdorf conversion project.
The Presidium agrees to carry out the next Presidium Meeting in autumn 2000. An approprate venue will be found.

 

16th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 3 April 2001, Ankara/Turkey

In this Meeting particpates the President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Senator Ernesto Gil Elorduy, Mexico, who was elected at the Third Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat in July 2000.

The European President, Peter Götz, reports on the Second PrepCom, which took place in February 2001 at the UNCHS (Habitat) Centre in Nairobi/Kenya for preparing the Conference Istanbul+5. The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent will take an active part in the UN General Assembly Special Session on Istanbul+5 scheduled for New York 6 to 8 June 2001. The European Parliamentarians agreed to carry out the Fourth Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat in an European country. The Global Forum will be held in Turkey in 2002.

 

17th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 19 February 2002, Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium, Brussels/Belgium

Alongside the members of the Board of Directors, the Alternate President of the World Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Mr Eloy Cantu Segovia from Mexico, also attended the meeting.

Director Michael W. Parkes reported on the changes and objectives at the UN Centre in Nairobi and the UN Habitat Office at the European Union. In particular, he drew attention to the activities planned for World Habitat Day on 7 October 2002 in Brussels and to the Urban Forum to be held in Nairobi from 29 April to 3 May 2002.

The Chair reminded the participants of the agreement that, following the Global Fora in Istanbul, Cancun and Manila, the 4th Global Forum would be held in Europe. It was also decided that the 4th European Regional Habitat Forum would be held in conjunction with the 4th Global Habitat Forum. Eloy Cantu Segovia presented his concept and objectives for the Global Forum: “Fourth World Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat – Safe and Governable Cities”.

It was decided that the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent would be actively involved in the World Habitat Day in Brussels on 07.10.02.

 

18th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 08 October 2002, Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium, Brussels/Belgium

President Peter Götz extended a special welcome to Senator Ernesto Gil Elorduy, Mexico, President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat. He thanked him for attending the meeting and for his speech at the celebration of World Habitat Day held by the United Nations at the Palais d`Egmont in Brussels on 7 October 2002.

Vicepresident Ms. Tarja Kautto (Finland) delivered her report on the UN World Summit in Johannesburg from 26 August to 4 September 2002. She referred above all to the targets agreed, which included halving the proportion of the world´s people without access to clean water by the year 2015, eradicating poverty and improving residential accommodation, basic sanitation, waste disposal services etc. The chairman thanked the Turkish members of the Board of Directors (Sedat Cevik, Seres Denes) once again for the commitment shown by their desire to organise the Fourth Global Forum of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat in Turkey. This would not come to fruition for various reasons.

After Istanbul/ Turkey (1996), Cancun/ Mexico (1998) and Manila/ The Philippines (2000), the Board of Directors decided unanimously to hold the Fourth Global Forum in May 2003 in Berlin/Germany. Parliamentary presidents and speakers should be invited as well as individual parliamentarians. From the United Nations, Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka and Prof.Dr. Klaus Töpfer should be involved.

The decision to hold the European Conference of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat during the Fourth Global Forum. The European Conference would only deal with routine business (elections etc.). Matters of substance would be dealt with in the framework of the Fourth Global Forum.

 

19th Meeting of the Board of Directors and the European Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat / 16 January 2003, Reichstag Building, Berlin/Germany

In this joint meeting was to discuss the content and organisation of the Fourth Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, to be held from 12 to 14 May 2003 in the Reichstag Building. The European President Peter Götz declared that the Fourth European Forum will be held in the framework of the Fourth Global Forum.

President Senator Ernesto Gil Elorduy stated that around 150 to 200 parliamentarians from around the world were expected to attend to the Fourth Global Forum. He presented in detail draft programme. He indicated that the conference fee of 200.00 euros was to be charged and the conference languages were to be Spanish, English, French and German.

President Peter Götz added that experts were to be invited to the panels. He had already contacted relevant organisations, to meet the costs of the experts. In return they could present their work in the Habitat-follow-up process.

Then, the discussion made clear how complex the topics were. Not all aspects could be discussed in the conference and the panels. The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat should restrict themselves to the “Habitat issues” of the topics. The Presidium agreed that there should be only one panel with various topics: One panel with the overarching subject and 3-4 sub-topics, followed by a discussion in the afternoon. The participants agreed on the title of the Fourth Global Forum “Governance for sustainable ciites”.

 

20th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent (constituent meeting), 29 September 2003, Council of Europe, Strasbourg/France

The Board of Directors was re-elected at the Fourth European Regional Forum, which was held within the framework of the Fourth Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat (Reichstag Building, Berlin, 12-14 May 2003). Peter Götz, Member of the German Bundestag, was confirmed in office as European President. The President invited the newly elected Board of Directors to Strasbourg for its first meeting.

It was agreed that the Fifth European Regional Forum would be held in the Netherlands. Dr Joanneke Kruijsen (Netherlands), newly elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, would make the preparations for the European Regional Forum.

 

21st Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 12 May 2004, UN-Habitat Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium, Brussels/Belgium

The European President, Peter Götz, thanked the Director of the UN-Habitat Liaison Office, Mr Jean Bakole, for kindly providing the facilities and attending the meeting.

The Board of Directors agreed that European parliamentarians would attend the World Urban Forum II (Barcelona, Spain, 13-17 September 2004). A representative of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent should also participate in World Habitat Day (Nairobi, Kenya, 4 October 2004). Mr Radu Liviu Bara (Romania), a member of the Board of Directors, would represent the European parliamentarians in Nairobi. The discussion also focussed on the Fifth European Regional Forum in the Netherlands. Dr Joanneke Kruijsen (Netherlands) was dealing with the preparations for the conference in The Hague. The conference should take place, if possible, in spring 2005.

 

22nd Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 14 September 2004, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Barcelona/Spain

The meeting of the Board of Directors took place within the framework of the World Urban Forum II (13-17.09.05) at the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Barcelona. President Peter Götz thanked the Consul-General, Dr Glotzbach, for this opportunity.

The meeting focussed primarily on preparations for the forthcoming Fifth European Regional Forum in The Hague.

This would be a two-day meeting, with the following items of business: election of a new Board of Directors for the European Continent, panel discussions, involvement of NGOs, excursion, and adoption of a " Hague Declaration", with UN Executive Director Dr Anna Tibaijuka and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Professor Klaus Töpfer, to be invited as speakers.

President Götz proposed undertaking a comparative study to determine to what extent the goals and principles of the Habitat Agenda are being implemented in legislation at national level (Habitat Project). The findings should be presented at the World Urban Forum III (Vancouver, Canada, 19-23 June 2006).

 

23rd Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 14 April 2005, German Bundestag, Berlin/Germany

The President expressed regret that colleagues Radu Liviu Bara and Ion Cirstoiu were no longer Members of the Romanian Parliament. Traian Constantin Igas and Ioan Tundrea were present as guests from Romania.

President Götz began by reporting on his participation in the Twentieth Session of the Governing Council of the UN Human Settlements Programme (Nairobi, Kenya, 4-8 April 2005). At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Executive Director Dr Anna Tibaijuka underlined the need for close cooperation with parliamentarians.

Dr Joanneke Kruijsen (Netherlands) reported on preparations for the Fifth European Regional Forum in The Hague. Exploratory talks were being held and contacts taken up. It was decided that the countries to be involved in the comparative study of implementation of the Habitat Agenda in national legislation (Habitat Project) should be the Netherlands, Finland, Turkey, Romania and Germany.

 

24th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 19 December 2005, UN-Habitat Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium, Brussels/Belgium

Subject of its 24th meeting are agenda details for the Fifth European Conference in The Hague/Netherlands. The Board of Directors agrees on a target date for the conference in spring 2006; the definite date remains to be set.

 

25th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 11 May 2006, Dutch Parliament, The Hague/ Netherlands

Meanwhile, the definite date for the Fifth European Conference has been set; it will take place 12-13 May 2006 in the premises of the Dutch Parliament, The Hague/Netherlands. Peter Götz, European President, invites the Board of Directors
to a preparatory meeting on 11 May 2006. On that occasion, candidacies for the European Board of Directors, that is to be newly elected, are subject of discussion.
Senator Ernesto Gil Elorduy of Mexico, President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, will join the meeting.

 

26th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 20 October 2006, UN-Habitat Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium, Brussels/Belgium
(Constituent Meeting of the new elected European Board of Directors, 12/13 May 2007, Fifth European Regional Forum)

After opening the meeting, Peter Götz extended a particularly warm welcome to the President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from Asia and Vice-President of the Board of Directors, Senator Rodolfo Biazon, Philippines. Mr Götz conveyed apologies from the President, Ernesto Gil Elorduy, who had to cancel at short notice on account of pressing commitments which had kept him in Mexico.

Participants agreed that the comparative study "Implementing the Goals and Principles of the Habitat Agenda, adopted in Istanbul in 1996, in the legislation of the Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Romania and Turkey during the period 1996-2005" carried out on the initiative of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent should not only concentrate on the aforementioned countries, but should be extended to include other European countries.

The Sixth European Conference is to be held in 2008. Mr Traian C. Igas and Mr Ioan Tundrea, both from Romania, offered to find out whether Bucharest would be a possible venue. Peter Götz reported on the World Urban Forum III (WUF III) in Vancouver/Canada, 19-23 June 2006. Those parliamentarians who took part said the conference was a great success.

The next meeting of the European Executive Committee will be held in Brussels on 2 March 2007. The Chairman again drew attention to the UN-Habitat Governing Council to be held in Nairobi between 16 and 20 April 2007.

27th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 02 March 2007, UN-Habitat Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium, Brussels/ Belgium

Peter Götz reported to the meeting on the outcome of the deliberations of the Board of Directors in Mexico on 6 February 2007 and the decisions on personnel matters taken there.

He said it had been decided that temporarily until the next regular elections, the President representing America, Senator Eloy Cantú Segovia, would head up the Board of Directors as Alternate President. The Senator had held the position of Alternate President for many years already. He was also preparing the world forum planned for South America.

Peter Götz also reported that he had received a proposal and request from the Mexican members for him to stand as President of the Board of Directors and that he was prepared to put his name forward as a candidate. The decision would be made at the appropriate time.

Peter Götz reported on the talks he and Dr. Anneke Assen had held with the EU Commission at the EuropeAid Co-operation Office in Brussels on 1 March 2007 on expanding the study and exploring the possibility of this expansion being financed as an EU project.

 

28th Extraordinary Meeting on 14 September 2007, Bucharest/Romania

In order to prepare the Sixth European Forum of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat on 14 September 2007 a meeting with Peter Götz took place in Bucharest headed by the Rumanian colleague Traian Constantin Igas.

The conference will be held within two days, namely 23 and 24 April 2008 on the premises of the Romanian Parliament. The following numbers of participants are expected: 90 to 100 in case of a European Forum and/ or 120 to 130 in case of a World Forum of Global Parliamentarians on Habitat.

The European President will invite to the European Forum; the President of the Board of Directors will invite to the World Forum.

 

29th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 29 November 2007, German Bundestag, Berlin/ Germany

In the meeting in preparation for the Sixth European Conference of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat Traian Constantin Igas (Romania) and Daniela Georgian (Parliamentary Counsellor, Romania) took part.

Further issues as regards content and organisation were defined. The conference will be entitled “Good Laws for a better life in cities”. Three workshops are to be held: “Climate Change and its impact on Cities”, “Clean energy in cities” and “Implementing objectives worked out in the Habitat Agenda in national legislation”. Besides, the future staffing of the European Board of Directors was discussed as its re-election is pending at the conference. The Romanian parliament didn’t decide yet if the World conference of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat can take place combined with the European conference.

The participants agreed on holding a meeting of the European Board of Directors on 22nd April 2008, i.e. the previous day of the conference, on the premises of the Romanian parliament, as well. Therefore, the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat will be invited.

 

30th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent, 19 March 2007, UN-Habitat Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium, Brussels/ Belgium

President Peter Götz thanked Mr. Jean Bakole, Director of the UN-Habitat Liaison office, for providing the premises and for his participation in the meeting.

Furthermore, the Romanian delegation headed by Traian Constantin Igas, Mrs. Dr. Anneke Assen, Netherlands, and Mrs. Jelleke Veenendaal, Netherlands participated in the meeting.

Last issues and details in preparation for the Sixth European Conference of the Global Parliamentarians to be held on Habitat on 23 and 24 April 2008 on the premises of the Romanian Parliament were coordinated. It becomes apparent that only the Sixth European Conference can be held.

On 18 February 2008, i.e. the previous day, a meeting with Dr. Dirk Ahner, Director-General, Directorate-General Regional Policy, European Commission took place in order to present the comparative study “Implementing the Goals and Principles of the Habitat Agenda, adopted in Istanbul in 1996, in the legislation of the Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Romania and Turkey during the period 1996-2005” and to call other European countries’ attention to the study with the aid of the European Commission, as well.

 

 

European Regional Conferences

 

1st European Regional Forum, 3 - 5 November 1997, Bonn/Germany

60 parliamentarians from 15 European countries attend the Conference. Other participants include Senator Oscar Lopez Velarde Vega, President of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Mexico; Darshan Johal, Acting Executive Director of UNCHS (Habitat), Nairobi/New York; Professor Klaus Töpfer, Federal Minister for Regional Planning, Building and Urban Development, Bonn; and Professor Rita Süssmuth, President of the German Bundestag, Bonn.

During the Conference, the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent and the chairpersons of the two permanent commissions are elected under the supervision of Senator Vega.

The two permanent commissions, “Sustainable Human Settlements”, chaired by Ahmet Alkan (Turkey), and “Sufficient and Adequate Housing”, chaired by Ion Cirstoiu (Romania) hold their first working meeting within the framework of the Conference. The permanent commission “Sustainable Human Settlements” concludes that co-operation between government, regional and local level (decentralisation) is necessary to achieve the objectives of the Habitat Agenda. The permanent commission “Sufficient and Adequate Housing” calls for secure and sustainable housing for all population groups, especially in cities, where sustainability is only viable in future in conjunction with the preservation of the eco-system.

The findings of the permanent commissions are reflected in the Bonn Agreement, which is adopted by the Conference participants.

 

2nd European Regional Forum, 1 - 3 February 1999, Zagreb/Croatia

The Conference is attended by 41 parliamentarians from 15 European countries, as well as numerous participants from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Other participants include Senator Oscar Lopez Velarde Vega, President of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat; Lars Ludvigsen, European Office of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Switzerland); and Dr Katica Ivanisevic, President of the House of Counties of the Croatian National Parliament.

Dr Hoffschulte, First Vice-President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (Germany) gives a presentation on the draft of the World Charter of Local Self-Government to the parliamentarians. Parliamentarians inform the plenary about national activities relating to the implementation of the Habitat Agenda in their countries.

During the Conference, participants have an opportunity to see the reconstruction of housing areas destroyed during the war and to learn how Croatia is managing the reconstruction process. The Conference concludes with the adoption of a “Zagreb Declaration” which also reflects the objectives of the World Charter of Local Self-Government.

The parliamentarians view the Habitat Agenda “as a political mandate to work worldwide to ensure that the principle of local self-government is recognised everywhere as a cornerstone of democracy, and that it is incorporated into national constitutions outside Europe as well in order to place local self-government on a clearly defined and stable basis in law”.

 

3nd European Regional Forum, 27 - 28 March 2000, Helsinki/Finland

The President of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Senator Oscar Lopez Velarde Vega (Mexico) and Prof. Dr. Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), Nairobi/Kenya are expected to attend the meeting.
Dr. Claus Hachmann, President of ICA – Housing Cooperatives of the European Region, Germany, will report on the progress in housing policies after Habitat II. Dr. Raija Hynynen, Ministry of Environment, Finland, will report on joint activities of the Baltic states in implementing the Local Agenda.

The parliamentarians are invited to deliver short country reports on the implementation of the Rio Declaration and the Habitat Agenda.

The parliamentarians ratified the „Declaration of Helsinki“. This document draws attention to the rise in natural disasters of global concern. Many of them occur because of local deficiencies in disaster prevention and preparedness. With the „Declaration of Helsinki“ the parliamentarians wish to highlight the contribution of cooperative organizations in implementing the Habitat Agenda.

During the Third European Regional Forum the Parliamentarians will also reelect the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent.

 

4th European Regional Forum, 12 May 2003, Berlin/Germany

A shortened Fourth European Regional Forum was held in the Reichstag Building, Berlin, within the framework of the Fourth Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, whose theme was "Governance for Sustainable Cities" (Reichstag Building, Berlin, 12-14 May 2003). The Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent was re-elected for the period 2003-2005. Peter Götz, Member of the German Bundestag, was confirmed in office as European President.

 

5th European Regional Forum, 12 to 13 May 2006, The Hague/ Netherlands

The Fifth European Forum of Global Parliamenatarians on Habitat was held from
12 to 13 May 2006 in the Dutch Parliament in The Hague.

The Conference is themed „UN-Habitat Agenda: Challenges for sustainable urbanisation“; Achievements and challenges after 10 years fighting urban poverty, the role of parliamentarians and other stakeholders“.

Parliamentarians from all European Countries were invited. Also the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, Mrs. Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, Nairobi; and the former Executive Director of UN-Environment Programms (UNEP), Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer, and the President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Senator Ernesto Gil Elorduy. Mexico.

Inter alia the comparative study on „Implementing the Goals and Principles of the Habitat Agenda, adopted in Istanbul in 1996, in the legislation of the Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Romania and Turkey during the period 1996 to 2005“ was presented. This study will also be presented in the UN-Conference World Urban Forum III (WUF III), which will take place from 19 to 23 June 2006 in Vancouver/Canada.

The parliamentarians also adopted the “The Hague Declaration”.

During the Fifth European Conference the new Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent was elected for the next period.

 

Global Conferences

 

1st United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (HABITAT II), 02 to 07 June 1996, Istanbul/Turkey

The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat reshaped their formation on the Istanbul Conference. As legislature, they agreed to strive for the Habitat Agendas implementation into political action as overall objective of their work and to ensure that Habitat remains on the political agenda and increase public awareness of these issues.

Senator Oscar Velarde Vega of Mexico was elected as President; Peter Götz, Deputy of the Federal Republic of Germany, was elected Vice President.

 

2nd Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, 27 to 30 January 1998, Cancun/Mexico

The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent participated in the Second Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, which took place in Cancun from 27-30 January 1998.

In his speech, European President Peter Götz referred to the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul in June 1996. He stated that both the Habitat Agenda and the Declaration drawn up in Istanbul, which had been endorsed by all the participating UN Member States, reflected the key principles, guiding visions and strategies for action that will shape our world tomorrow.

3rd Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, 25 to 28 July 2000, Manila/Philippines

The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent attended the Third Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat which took place in Manila from 25-28 July 2000.

They held an informal meeting during the Global Forum. European President Peter Götz, Member of the German Bundestag, presented the European Regional Report to the Third Global Forum. The parliamentarians participated actively in the panel discussion on "Sustainable Cities in the New Century: Making the Vision Work Through Responsive Legislation and Policies".

4th Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, 12 to 14 May 2003, Berlin/Germany

The Fourth Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, whose theme was "Governance for Sustainable Cities", was held in the Reichstag Building, Berlin.
The Global Forum took place at the invitation of Senator Ernesto Gil Elorduy, President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, and European President Peter Götz. Two hundred delegates attended from all over the world.

In her speech, Executive Director Dr Anna Tibaijuka introduced the panel discussion on "Governance for sustainable cities" and "Local self-government". International experts from Ecuador, South Africa, the Philippines and Germany took part in the discussion. The issues were then explored by the panel in more detail with the parliamentarians attending the Global Forum from all over the world. The Fourth Global Forum concluded with the adoption of the Berlin Declaration.

 

5th Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, 10 to 12 November 2005, Rabat/Morocco

The Fifth Global Forum of Parliamentarians on Habitat, whose theme was "Laws for Habitat", took place in Rabat, Morocco. It was attended by many parliamentarians from Europe.

 

 

European Activities

 

Global Conference on the urban future „Urban 21“, 4 - 6 July 2000 Berlin/Germany – Forum of Parliamentarians, 5 July 2000

In the framework of the EXPO 2000 and the Global Conference on the urban future “URBAN 21” to be held 04 to 06 July 2000 in Berlin, the “Forum of Parliamentarians” takes place 5 July 2000 under the patronage of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat.

The Forum considers two issuses: “World Charter of Local Self Government” and “Good Urban Governance”. The European President chairs the Forum. International experts, Dr. Anneke Assen (Netherlands), Alexander Yashin (Russia), Erich Pramböck (Austria) and Alice Muwanguzi (Uganda) contribute brief statements.

The “World Charter of Local Self Government” focusses on the relationship between central government and local authorities and advocates decentralization and local autonomy based on the principles of subsidiarity. The participants agree that local authorities are to be given greater autonomy in addressing their inhabitants´ issues. They require additional financial and other resources for responsive and participatory problem solving.

The “Declaration on the Norms of Good Urban Governance: Towards the Inclusive City” is to contribute to the eradication of urban poverty through improve urban governance. The campaign objectives of “Good Urban Governance” will promote broad-based participatory decision-making processes as the primary means of addressing urban issues. Responsiveness, transparency in decision-making and the use of funds are to be increased for the benefit of an economically viable strategy to tackle urban issuses. The results of the “Forum of Parliamentarians” are presented by the President at the Closing Plenary Session of URBAN 21.

 

Preparatory Committees Istanbul+5, 08 -12 May 2000 and 12 - 16 February 2001, Nairobi/Kenya

The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent take an active part in the the PrepComs Istanbul+5 at the UNCHS (Habitat) Centre in Nairobi. They agree that it is important to be strongly represented.

The first Preparatory Committee takes place on 08 to 12 May 2000. The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent participate in the dialogue „National Legislation in the process of Habitat“ and „Dialogue on the Norms of Good Urban Governance“. The second Preparatory Committee was scheduled 12 to 16 February 2001. The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent participate in the forum „Round Table on Housing Rights“.

UN General Assembly Special Session on Istanbul+5, 6 - 8 June 2001, New York/USA

The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent took an active part in the UN General Assembly Special Session on Istanbul+5 scheduled for New York 6 to 8 June 2001. They participate in the forum “Housing Rights”.

UN World Summit “Sustainable Development”, 26 August – 04 September 2002, Johannesburg/South Africa

The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent participate in the UN World Summit in Johannesburg to be held 26 August to 04 September 2002.

They support the targets, which included halving the proportion of the world`s people without access to clean water by the year 2015, eradicating poverty and improving residential accommodation, basic sanitation and waste disposal services.

 

World Urban Forum II (WUF II), 13 - 17 September 2004, Barcelona/Spain

The Global Parliamentarians on Habitat from the European Continent participated actively in the various dialogues at the World Urban Forum II. During the World Urban Forum II, various discussions were held with representatives of the United Nations and other organizations.

 

20th Session of the Governing Council of the UN Human Settlements Programme, 4 - 8 April 2005, Nairobi/Kenya

President Götz attended this conference. During the conference, a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat took place which was also attended by Dr Anna Tibaijuka. Dr Anna Tibaijuka cordially invited the parliamentarians to attend the World Urban Forum III in Vancouver, Canada, in 2006, stating that the cooperation with the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat was very important.

The Board of Directors agreed to carry out the 5th Global Forum in Morocco/Africa.

 

World Urban Forum III (WUF III), 19 - 23 June 2006, Vancouver/Canada

Members of the European Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat participated in this event. They also took part in the roundtable of Global Parliamentarians on Habitat “Human Settlement Legislation Development+30”.

At the conference, Mrs. Dr. Anneke Assen, Netherlands, member of the European Board of Directors, presented the findings of the comparative study “Implementing the Goals and Principles of the Habitat Agenda, adopted in Istanbul in 1996, in the legislation of the Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Romania and Turkey during the period 1996-2005”.

 

21st Session of the Governing Council of the UN Human Settlements Programme, 16 - 20. April 2007, Nairobi/ Kenya

Members of the European Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat participated in the Governing Council and the meeting of parliamentarians. They also had a share in the roundtables “Financing pro-poor housing and urban development” and “Towards an agenda for local action for poverty reduction”.

A meeting of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat was also held at the UN-Habitat Centre, attended by participants from Europe, Africa and Asia.

Peter Götz had a talk with Executive Director UN-Habitat Dr. Anna Tibaijuka. He handed over a copy of the comparative study “Implementing the Goals and Principles of the Habitat Agenda, adopted in Istanbul in 1996, in the legislation of the Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Romania and Turkey during the period 1996-2005” to her.

 

UN-Habitat Conference on the State of Safety in World Cities 2007, 1 - 5 October 2007, Monterrey/ Mexico

Within the conference on 05 October the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat held a meeting. The focus lay on the future of the parliamentarian organisation. Furthermore, the next World Conference including the elections of the Board of Directors was discussed.

The today president Senator Eloy Cantú Segovia asks Peter Götz to run for president of the Board of Directors.

They agreed on holding the World Conference together with the Sixth European Conference on 23 and 24 April 2008 in Bucharest/ Romania, as possible.