Hon. Saumura Tioulong, MP
Sam Rainsy Party, Cambodia

Her Excellency Annette Lu, Vice President of Taiwan,
Madam Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck,
Honorable  Members of Parliament from all over Asia,
Members of the Executive Committee of CALD
in particular our dear Secretary General Bi-Khim Hsiao,
Ladies and Gentlemen…

Welcome to the General Assembly of the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats focusing on the theme “Advancing Women in Politics: the Role of Political Parties”

I speak here before you not just to represent CALD but also as an original signatory of the Win with Women Global Action Plan, that, at the initiative of Madeleine Albright, was launched in December 2003 by a group of female political leaders from 27 countries to help political parties broaden their appeal by becoming more inclusive and representative.

We are pleased by the fact that Asia is the third region after Eastern Europe and Latin America where the Win with Women’s Global Action Plan was actually implemented through Liberal International. Due congratulations to LI because I understand that among the international political party groups, LI has been most successful in implementing this plan. Let the just concluded LI Women’s Workshop for CALD be another feather in your cap.

We are very proud to announce that CALD is present here in full force. We have with us impressive delegations from all CALD members, associates and observers from Burma, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and my native Cambodia.  We also have guests from India and Mongolia.

CALD has grown into a solid and strong organization of Asian liberal and democratic political parties and allied organizations. Since our founding in Bangkok almost twelve years ago, CALD has been an active organization that has made its presence in Asia felt. Through our conferences, workshops, campaigns and missions, publications and other activities, we have accomplished what we have set out to do. CALD has fostered the liberal values of liberty and social responsibility, justice, the rule of law and the free market economy. CALD has served as a dynamic forum where current as well as future political, social and economic concepts and developments in Asia are discussed and analyzed.

But admittedly, there is room for improvement. One area where CALD and more importantly, its members, can expand is in terms of women participation and empowerment.  

Today’s workshop is particularly close to my heart, as I remember that, a few years ago, the same topic –Advancing Women in Politics--, did not attract enough interest from CALD members, so a workshop was organized in Cambodia for the Sam Rainsy Party only. Indeed, we know the importance of greater women’s participation in the strengthening of our party. So, since 1999, we have been offering an intensive training program to our grassroots female activists to help them compete with their male counterparts on a more level playing field. As a result, the number of our female elected representatives has increased steadily and our male colleagues are more aware of the potential contribution that women can make to our common fight.

Last but not least, we would like to express our gratitude to the various organizations whose support and cooperation made this General Assembly of CALD possible.

Our thanks to our host, the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan. In Asia hospitality is a shared tradition amongst us; in Taiwan it is legendary.

My sincere thanks to Liberal International represented here by its former President Madam Neyts-Uyttebroeck and its new Secretary General Jasper Veen.  Special mention must be given  to the two workshop trainers from the British Liberal Democrats, Ms. Sarah Brinton and  Ms. Victoria Marsom.

Support for the workshop and conference was given by two important organizations.  One is the Taiwan Foundation for  Democracy  represented tonight by Ms. Maysing Yang who happens to be one of CALD’s founding members. The other is our life-long partner, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation represented by its regional director, Mr. Hubertus von Welck.

Our thanks as well to the conference secretariat consisting of the DPP Department of International Affairs  and the Manila-based CALD secretariat represented by its Executive Director John Coronel.

And of course, we would not have this level of participation without the cooperation of CALD members, observers and associates.

Again, in behalf of the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats, please accept our warm welcome and gratitude to all.