ASSP conference concludes with promises to focus on women, youth development

The 7th Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians (ASSP) has concluded in Bandos Island Resort today with promises to focus on expanding the role of young people and women in the South Asian bloc, for the coming year.

Over 70 delegates from Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka took part in the three-day conference. Bangladesh and Nepal were absent.

Speaking to the press after the conclusion of the conference, Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha Smt. Meira Kumar described it as a successful gathering and said the association made important decisions over the expansion of the roles of youth and women in the South Asian region.

The conference saw amendments to the organization’s charter to include a forum for young parliamentarians and a Women’s Committee. The young parliamentarian’s forum is to consist of parliamentarian younger than 40 years of age.

Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament and the new chairman of Speakers Council of ASSP Abdulla Shahid noted that young people make up the majority of the population of South Asian and highlighted the importance of expanding the role of youth and women in the region.

A representative of Sri Lanka’s Speaker said the conference’s deliberations had been fruitful and many ideas were put forth on strengthening democracy in South Asia and Speaker of Lok Sabha Smt. Meira Kumar thanked the Maldives for an “exceptional” conference.

Sri Lanka is to host the 8th Conference of ASSP in 2014, and Bhutan is to host the 9th conference in 2015.