Wang Zhongyu, president of the China Economic and Social Council, was elected in Paris on June 10 as president of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS).

Wang, also vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, will replace outgoing AICESIS President Jacque Dermagne.

Addressing the closing session of the ninth meeting of the AICESIS, Wang said the organization has contributed a lot to the economic and social development of relevant countries and regions since its establishment in 1999.

Noting that unstable factors in international relations are on the rise and the gap between the North and South is widening, Wang said cooperation and dialogue between governments and non-governmental organizations, as well as cooperation and dialogue among non-governmental organizations, should be strengthened so as to meet these challenges.

Wang said the AICESIS should play a bigger role in the process of globalization.

He pledged that the China Economic and Social Council will, in the coming two years, work hard to make the AICESIS more pragmatic and active, thus contributing more to world economic and social development.

A statement issued by the meeting said the AICESIS will work for "the elimination of all kinds of discrimination against women."

It said the organization "insists on the necessity to conclude in 2006 within the World Trade Organization the agenda of Doha for development."

Source: Xinhua