Cape Town, 23 November 2013 – The Freedom Front Plus in Cape Town played host to the 16t Session of the UNPO Presidency on 22 November. Presided over by UNPO President Mr. Ngawang Choephel (Tibet) the meeting brought together the elected UNPO Presidency Members from all corners of the globe.

The UNPO Presidency meets several times every year, providing an essential element of continuity between the full assemblies of UNPO Members, and is mandated to supervise and assist in the implementation of the overall policy of the organization as articulated at the meetings of the General Assembly.

The agenda of the meeting covered a wide array of issues, including the review of membership status of several UNPO Members and new applications for membership. The General Secretary, Marino Busdachin, provided the Members an overview of the political activities of the organisation and brought forward new ideas on positioning the UNPO in a changing world. The Treasurer, Jeroen Zandberg, provided the Members with an insight into the financial position of the organisation and the projected opportunities in the upcoming year.

Discussions surrounding the activities of the organization in the past six months focused on emphasizing how to deal with the increasing demand for UNPO’s services and the ever changing face of international relations. New avenues were explored to complement the direction of the UNPO in organizing activities on a thematic basis where the focus lies on democracy promotion, the various implementations of federalism and the use of nonviolence.

In a warmly welcome move, Presidency Members emphasized their standing commitment to UNPO and its principles. While the mission of UNPO undoubtedly poses a major and difficult challenge, it is exactly this challenge, in addition to the ambition, virtue and energy behind it that compels UNPO Members to play and integral part in UNPO. Importantly noted, the relationship between UNPO Members and the organization is not a one-sided affair. Instead, the relations fostered provide exceptional opportunities for cooperation and mutual support.