Summary of the Proceedings of the XIX SIRG
(Remarks by Canada at the Regular Session of the Permanent Council
of the Organization of American States, October 11, 2000)
On October 1-3, 2000, Canada hosted a meeting of
the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG) in Québec City. This
meeting launched the process of negotiation leading up to the April
2001 Summit of the Americas to be held in Québec, which will bring
together the heads of state and of government of the hemisphere.
They will discuss the goals of strengthening democracy, creating
prosperity, and realising human potential across the Americas.
Delegates at the SIRG emphasised the importance
of ensuring that the Summit process is a continuous one in which
each new Summit builds upon the success of the last. Nations also
expressed their commitment to the strengthening of the
inter-American system. Through intensive cooperation and
coordination, inter-American programs and institutions can be made
to serve the populations of our countries even better. All countries
made a valuable contribution to the discussion, and the meeting also
welcomed the input of inter-American bodies such as the Organization
of American States, the Inter-American Development Bank, the UN’s
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the
Pan-American Health Organization.
The focus of the SIRG meeting in Québec City was
the first pillar of the upcoming summit, Strengthening Democracy.
National representatives discussed numerous themes in the
improvement of democratic conditions. Countries agreed that in
advancing the cause of democracy, it is important to recognise the
strong link between democracy and development. Democracy can better
take hold in a climate of financial stability than amid financial
crisis and devastating poverty. The rule of law is also crucial to
the development and maintenance of democracy. National delegations
discussed ways of achieving strong, fair and impartial justice
systems and protecting the security of the individual. In addition,
there must be transparency and accountability in government
institutions, and in the electoral process, for democracy to
flourish. All delegations agreed on these broad points. Countries
will continue to work to find consensus on the sensitive issues of
freedom of expression and of the media, especially as they relate to
electoral periods.
Government representatives also affirmed that
citizens are better able to contribute to their community’s
political life when they are informed about the issues that affect
them and about their rights. Discussions on these important issues
will continue at the next SIRG in together with a dialogue on the
third pillar of the Summit, Realising Human Potential.
Included in this pillar are the important issues of education,
health, gender equality, indigenous populations, cultural diversity,
and children and youth. Civil Society Organizations will be invited
to express their views and submit their suggestions on these
questions at the meeting of the Special Committee on Inter-American
Summits Management (CEGCI) on November 7. This open meeting of CEGCI
will precede the next SIRG to be hosted by the Inter-American
Development Bank in Washington, DC, on November 28-30, 2000. |