Alliance Leader announces that Belfast is to host top international political conference

3.09.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Apr 2008

Alliance Leader David Ford has announced the excellent news that the party will be hosting a top international political conference in Belfast this summer. The Liberal International Congress will be taking place at the Europa Hotel between the 15-17 May this year, and will be examining issues like political conflict, human trafficking and environmental protection. Lord Alderdice, who is the current President of Liberal International, has also expressed delight at the Congress coming to Northern Ireland.

David Ford said: "Getting the chance to host this Congress is a massive boost for Belfast. It provides a great opportunity to show influential politicians from around the world that Northern Ireland is thriving.

"This is the first time that Northern Ireland has ever hosted the prestigious Liberal International Congress. This gives us the chance of a lifetime to showcase Northern Ireland to powerbrokers from across the globe. The Alliance Party's global links within Liberal International are extremely important, and I only wish all other parties in Northern Ireland took such a broad world-view.

"The timing of this event is perfect as former Alliance Leader Lord Alderdice is currently President of the group."

Lord Alderdice, current President of Liberal International, said: "I am delighted that Liberal International is coming to Belfast for this Congress. Liberal International is a substantial global network of about 100 political parties from all around the world. Its recent meetings have been in Taipei, Marrakech, Sofia, Manila, Cancun, Dakar, Budapest, Ottawa and Brussels, so you can see that the choice to come to Belfast means that our capital city now figures with some big names on the global conference circuit.

"There will be the whole range of motions on issues of concern from across the world, but we will focus on three main areas - dealing with violent political conflict, movement of people (migration, asylum and human trafficking) and the environment. There will be special sessions and papers on all three issues."

ENDS