Dates 1 Jul 2015 – 5 Jul 2015 | ||
 | ||
The MIKTA Speakers' Consultation 2015 took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea on July 1–5 under the theme "Parliamentary Leadership for a Global Future." Initiated by Chung Ui-hwa, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, the MIKTA Speakers' Consultation 2015 was the inaugural meeting of the parliamentary Speakers of MIKTA, a middle-power consultative mechanism.
Contents
Overview
The MIKTA Speakers' Consultation is a consultative body of the parliamentary Speakers of MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey, and Australia). The Speakers of the MIKTA parliaments gather together for a plenary and bilateral meetings on an annual basis. Discussions are underway for the possible establishment of other cooperative mechanisms. No rules and regulations are in place as yet to govern the date and venue of the Consultation. Decisions on the next meeting are made when the Speakers get together for the annual meeting. In the case of a bicameral legislature, participation is not restricted either to the upper or lower chambers. Members of parliament can join official delegations as well as diplomats based in the host country. The President of the Senate of the United Mexican States, the Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council of the Republic of Indonesia (upper chamber), and the President of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia attended the 1st MIKTA Speakers' Consultation, which was held in Seoul, 2015. The Turkish Grand National Assembly was represented by the Turkish Ambassador to Seoul due to the delayed schedule to elect a new Speaker, MPs, diplomats and academics.
History
Chung Ui-hwa, Speaker of the Korean National Assembly, took the initiative to create the parliamentary counterpart of MIKTA, an inter-governmental consultative body. The subsequent approval of the other Speakers led to the official launch of the Consultation. Speaker Chung Ui-hwa put forward the initial proposal to the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly in October, 2014 during the official visit of the Turkish Speaker to Seoul. The Turkish side agreed to the proposal. Speaker Chung followed up by sending letters to his counterparts in the MIKTA parliaments to gather views on the initiative. As the Speakers expressed their support, the proposal came to fruition. The 1st MIKTA Speakers' Consultation was held in Seoul on July 1–5, 2015 and the main conference took place on July 2.
Brief Timeline of the Preparation Process
Date and Venue
Participation
※ The Turkish Grand National Assembly was represented by H.E. Arslan Hakan Okçal, Turkish Ambassador to Seoul, as the Turkish Grand National Assembly elected its Speaker on July 1.
Sessions and Main Issues
1. Theme of the Consultation
2. Session Topics
Seoul Statement MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation 2015
<<Parliamentary Leadership for a Global Future>>
- We, the Speakers of the Parliaments of MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey*, and Australia) gathered in Seoul, Republic of Korea on July 1–5, 2015 for the inaugural MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation held under the theme “Parliamentary Leadership for a Global Future” and discussed how the parliaments of the MIKTA countries could contribute to the international community and strengthen relations among members.
- Taking note of our countries’ similarities including democracy, open economies, diverse culture, and keen participation in the discussion of global issues, we welcome the call and efforts to improve dialogue between the MIKTA countries that can add value to our partnership in years ahead. We recognized the role of parliaments in creating an atmosphere in which elected representatives can discuss and debate issues openly.
- Recognizing the varied and complex challenges facing the international community, such as: natural disasters; terrorism and transnational organized crime; climate change; maritime security; growing movements of displaced people and asylum seekers, including those triggered by regional instabilities; irregular flows of migrants; global poverty; and nuclear proliferation, we emphasize the significant role of the MIKTA countries in coordinated multi-dimensional responses at global, regional and national levels.
- Reaffirming that MIKTA was launched in 2013 as an informal mechanism to explore ways and means for consulting on global issues, we share the view that the MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation should serve as one of the platforms that contribute to the development of MIKTA.
- We will continue to build the network of the MIKTA Speakers by holding regular meetings, including on the sidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assemblies and other multilateral fora, and bilateral talks. We will also make efforts to forge cooperative relations with relevant government ministries to assist MIKTA in contributing to good global governance.
- Recognizing that the post-2015 development agenda, set to be adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September, 2015, is crucial for the future of the international community, the parliaments of the MIKTA countries will seek to promote the oversight of implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.
- Noting that the inaugural MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation served to promote understanding and cooperation on major issues facing the MIKTA countries and their regions, we will continue to identify topics and strengthen collaboration that enable the Consultation to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the MIKTA countries, their regions and the world. We highlighted the importance of cooperation between sectors, including business, academia, civil society, local governments, and community groups.
- Recognizing that resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and achieving a peaceful unification on the Korean Peninsula are critical to ensure peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and beyond, we appreciate and support the multi-pronged efforts of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, including an inter-Korean parliamentary Speakers’ meeting as well as an inter-Korean parliamentary meeting, to lay the foundation for a peaceful unification through dialogue and cooperation.
- Extending our sincere appreciation to the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea for the launch of the MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation and acknowledging the Consultation will contribute to the evolution of MIKTA, we agreed to consider holding the 2nd MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation in 2016.
Joint Press Conference
Special Advisors’ Review Session
＊Special advisors are academics and professionals specializing in the agenda of the Consultation. Each delegation is allowed to recommend one special advisor.