Related: Shanghai Declaration (full text)

    SHANGHAI, Sept. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The World Jurist Association adopted the Shanghai Declaration Friday at the closing session of its 22nd Biennial Congress on the Law of the World.

    The declaration calls on people of the world to make concerted efforts "to build, through the rule of law, a harmonious international society which is the common aspiration of the peoples for peace, development and cooperation."

    Some 1,500 jurists from more than 60 countries and international organizations participated in the meeting which was held in Beijing and Shanghai from Sept. 4-10.

    WJA congress calls for sustainable development

    The World Jurist Association (WJA) has called on all countries to strive to realize the goal of sustainable development at the end of its 22nd congress here Friday.

    "The Congress urged countries to develop the law regulating natural resources and the environment, drawing upon international legal principles for guidance and direction. They must strive to realize the goal of sustainable development," says a "Shanghai Declaration" adopted by the congress at the closing session.

    The WJA held its Twenty Second Biennial Congress on the Law of the World in Beijing and Shanghai, beginning on September 4, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the victory over Fascism and the founding of the United Nations.

    More than 1,500 eminent jurists from more than 60 countries andinternational organizations participated in the WJA congress in Beijing and Shanghai from September 4-9, 2005. 

   WJA congress reaches broad consensus

    The Twenty Second Biennial Congress on the Law of the World reached a broad consensus on concerns ranged from International Terrorism to Human rights, according to the "Shanghai Declaration" adopted at the end of the meeting Friday.

    The Congress delegates deliberated extensively on 22 critical topics of international concern around the theme of the Congress "Rule of Law and Harmony of International Society" and broad consensus was reached, says the document.

    "These concerns ranged from International Terrorism, U.N. Reform, and International Trade and Investment to Local Government, Judiciary and the Media, International Environment, Human Rights, and Alternative Dispute Resolutions," it says.

    WJA shows concern over gulf between rich, poor countries 

    The congress showed its deep concern over the widening gulf between rich and poor countries in the "Shanghai Declaration".

    "The Congress expressed deep concern over the widening gulf between rich and poor countries caused by the current structure of the international economic system which perpetuates existing disparities and the consequent poverty, deprivation, and diseases currently suffered by a large mass of humanity," says the declaration.

    Believing that all countries must have equal access to the economic opportunities created by globalization, the Congress called upon international economic institutions, including but notlimited to, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization, to undertake appropriate measures toward the creation of an equitable and just international economic system, according to the document.

    "It called upon all countries to make every effort to successfully conclude the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization. It is equally imperative that the Millennium Development Goals set by the UN Summit in 2000 be met," it says.

    WJA congress highlights China's progress in rule of law

    World Jurist Association (WJA) highlighted China's progress in implementing democracy and rule of law in the "Shanghai Declaration".

    "Recognizing China's recent remarkable achievements in the economic, social and cultural fields, and its enviable progress in implementing democracy and the Rule of Law, the Congress profusely thanked the Chinese government and the Chinese people for their most gracious hospitality," says the document.

    In the declaration, the participants "especially expressed their deep gratitude to the Chinese Organizing Committee for their hard work and dedication in planning the Congress and for a most efficient execution."

    WJA calls for mutual trust, goodwill in int'l co-op

    The Association (WJA) has called for mutual trust and goodwill in international cooperation.

    "To create a peaceful and just world the Congress considered international cooperation based on mutual trust and goodwill among the world's civilizations and cultures as the foundation stone," the document says.

    "An effective United Nations, strict adherence by states to norms of international law, and peaceful resolution of international disputes are prerequisites for such a world," it says.

    It urges all countries to respect and vigorously preserve the diversity of world civilizations on the basis of equality and mutual understanding through dialogue and exchanges. Enditem