January 30th, 2007

The Honorable Steen Gade

Member of Parliament

Parliament of Denmark

Christianborg K-1240

Copenhagen

DENMARK

 

 

Dear colleague,

 

I am delighted to formally invite you to participate in the Seventh Annual Conference of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank. The conference will take place in Cape Town at the invitation of the Government and Parliament of South Africa on March 15-17, 2007. 

 

This year’s conference, outside Europe and in Africa for the first time, will bring some 200 parliamentarians together with leaders in development. To this end, we already have confirmation from World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato as well as African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka, the heads of three key international financial institutions. In addition, South African Finance Minister and Chair of the G20 Trevor Manuel will attend and participate in the dialogue with parliamentarians.

 

The 2007 PNoWB Annual Conference in South Africa provides an excellent opportunity for legislators from around the globe to take the lead in putting Africa and poverty reduction at the heart of the global agenda. Our host South Africa will chair the G20 whereas both the G8 chair and the EU presidency will be held by Germany with Africa as a high priority. The PNoWB Annual Conference will reflect on the role of parliamentarians in major development issues of the day, including reform of international financial institutions, governance and anti-corruption and illegitimate debt.

 

The continued growth of the Network means that the Conference will also double as an opportunity for our members to take stock.  PNoWB has grown in strength in recent years, setting new standards for legislators and effective oversight of international financial institutions (IFIs).

 

We would be delighted if you can attend this Annual Conference and join the discussions on how to contribute to effective poverty reduction.

 

I hope that you will be able to join us in Cape Town, and look forward to a fruitful dialogue.

 

Sincerely,

Bert Koenders

MP, The Netherlands

Chair of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank