Press Releases
18 November 2000 - SUPU Sustainable Use Parliamentarians Union
The First General Assembly of the Sustainable Use Parliamentarians Union (SUPU), was held today in Nelson, New Zealand, in conjunction with the 3rd Annual General Assembly of the World Council of Whalers.
U.S. Congressman Richard Pombo chaired the meeting with representatives from the parliaments of St. Lucia, The Home Rule Government of Greenland, and Japan.
Members from countries including Canada, Norway and others were unable to attend due to their Parliamentary duties. Congressman Pombo said: "The purpose of the SUPU is to provide information and recommendations on international issues regarding the sustainable use of renewable resources."
Discussion among members included wildlife and marine resources that are important to food security and the economic well being of people and the need to respect the cultures and traditions of all people. The SUPU reconfirmed its commitment to public education and increased understanding of these issues.
Because the meeting was held in conjunction with the Assembly of the World Council of Whalers, the SUPU adopted two resolutions dealing with the issue of the sustainable use of whale resources. The resolutions express strong support for Japan's whale research program in the North Pacific and urged the International Whaling Commission to reject the proposed whale sanctuary for the South Pacific and consider revoking the Southern Ocean Sanctuary that was created in 1994.
One of the goals of SUPU is to hold a conference in Washington, D.C. prior to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 2002. "There will be of course many sustainable use issues coming before the Parties at CITES and we believe that SUPU has an important role to play in these matters," Congressman Pombo said.
The Congressman indicated that SUPU would eventually have members from over 80 countries. ENDS