CONFERENCE TO PUSH LEGISLATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- To preserve and protect the environment and
promote the cause of climate change, 24 countries Friday agreed to push for
legislation.

Leaders and representatives of 40 governing and opposition political parties
from the countries had earlier gathered at the International Conference of Asian
Political Parties (ICAPP).

United Malays National Organisation (UmnO) organising committee chairman
Shahidan Kassim said in this regard, the Climate Change Act, proposed jointly by
ICAPP and International Eco Safety Cooperative Organisation (IESCO), could serve
as a good basis of a model law for optional passage by parliaments belonging to
ICAPP member states, with provisions relevant to specific countries.

"We, therefore, appeal to all political parties, government, parliaments,
civil society organisations and the international community to strengthen their
disaster reduction activities such as speedy and correct information exchange in
a more concerted and coordinated manner.

"This can be done by implementing relevant international commitments and
frameworks, including the United Nation Millenium Declaration adopted in
September 2000 and the Resolutions adopted by the World Conference on Disaster
Reduction held in January 2005," he said.

He was reading out the Kuala Lumpur Declaration ICAPP Conference on Natural
Disasters and Environmental Protection here.

He said the ICAPP today also proposed that a meeting of ICAPP Medical
Emergency Forum (IMEF) become a regular feature of the ICAPP General Assembly,
meeting on the sideline to ensure that this issue was discussed at regular
intervals.

ICAPP is a forum of political parties of Asia-Oceania countries, which was
launched in Manila Philippines in September 2000.

Among the objectives of the conference are to promote exchanges and
cooperation involving the political parties of various countries, enhance mutual
understanding and trust among Asian countries, promote Asia's regional
cooperation through political parties and create an environment for sustained
peace and shared prosperity in the region.

This year, Kuala Lumpur is hosting the three-day forum which began
Friday.