Global economic crisis and climate change, key themes at Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF)

21 January 2010

Discussions about the current economic crisis and climate change have dominated the agenda at the APPF annual meeting currently taking place in Singapore.

Over 300 parliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific Region are attending this year’s meeting with the New Zealand Parliament represented by the Deputy Speaker, Lindsay Tisch, MP, and Labour Party MP Charles Chauvel.

“Parliamentarians in attendance are urging governments not to adopt protectionism as an anti-recessionary measure, and to ensure that they recognise the importance of climate change”, Mr Tisch said.

Both MPs have contributed to discussions, delivering speeches on topics such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, terrorism, the global economic situation, energy security and climate change.

The meeting opened on Sunday 17 January 2010 and concludes today with the signing of a joint communiqué.