The first conference of the World Association of Press Councils of the 21st Century, hosted by the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Press was held in Cairo Sheraton Hotel from 26th and 29th of April, 2000.

Delegates from about 25 countries and from all UN continents attended the conference. The themes of the conference were:

* The challenges of the 21st century
* Press freedom and the press council in Egypt
* Media rights and responsibilities
* Press Councils and Similar Bodies in selected UN member states.

The organizing of the conference in the city of Cairo, a major cultural, intellectual and financial capital, provided an appropriate venue for the examination of issues confronting the press, including technological and ethical questions.

The conference was inaugurated with a message from His Excellency Mohamed Hosni Mobaruk, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. This was delivered by the Speaker of the Senate and Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Press of Egypt, Dr Moustafa Kamal Helmy. During the opening ceremony, there were very encouraging messages supporting WAPC global initiatives to promote democracy, the free flow of ideas, the right of freedom of expression and of the press, the need for high media standards and the important role of independent press councils.

These came from the :

* Hon. Mr. Abid Hussein, UN Special Reporter On The Promotion & Protection Of The Right To Freedom Of Opinion & Expression, United Nations Office, Geneva
* Hon.Dr. Mofeid Shehab, Minister of Education and Chairman, Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO
* Hon. Mr. Safwat El Sherief, Minister of Information of Egypt

The Supreme Council of Press of Egypt, as well as the Egyptian press, were well represented at the conference. During the conference, the WAPC Executive Council considered reports on developments in relation to press councils and media ethics in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Americas and Europe. The Executive Council recorded its appreciation to the Supreme Council of the Press of Egypt and sponsors of the Conference for the hospitality offered to delegates.

The Council considered reports from three Working Parties. First, the feasibility of a Transnational Complaints Mechanism. The Working Party had reported last February that there was no support for such a proposal and therefore the Council accepted this and decided to take no further action on the proposal. The second report contained suggestions on matters which could be included in any code of ethics that any press council was considering adopting. This is being circulated for comment. A third report related to a model voluntary press council intended as a useful reference for any interested group. This too will be circulated for comment.

The Ghana Media Commission was admitted as the Council's 20th Institutional Member. Mr. Ken Morgan, who for many years was the Director of the British Press Council, and who was the first Director of the British Press Complaints Commission, was admitted as an Associate Member.

The Council accepted a proposal to hold the next international conference in Bangladesh in 2001. It heard reports on a regional workshop and seminar to be held in North Cyprus in September - and proposals for other activities in South Africa, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Malaysia, Pakistan and Mexico.

The Council accepted that WAPC to proceed with appropriate action with the host and sponsors to arrange:

1. WAPC Regional Seminar-Workshop on The Independent Functioning of Press / Media Councils, 7-9 Sept, 2000 hosted by KIBRIS Turkish Press Council (North Cyprus) in conjunction with International Literacy Day.

2. WAPC Regional Conference on the Media, 3-5 May, 2001 to be hosted by the Press Ombudsman of South Africa in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day.

3. WAPC International Conference On Press / Media Councils & Similar Bodies to be hosted By Bangladesh Press Council 22 and 24 October, 2001, Dhaka, Bangladesh in conjunction with UNITED NATIONS DAY

4. Other meetings and workshops in countries contemplating to establish Media Councils and Similar Bodies. Immediate possibilities are Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Mexico etc.

This being the first Executive Council meeting held at an international conference since the first WAPC President passed away, the Council recorded its remembrance of the life and work, especially in the defense of the press freedom and the advancement of press responsibility of Lord McGregor of Durris, the first Chairman of the British Press Complaints Commission.