The Secretary-General of the IPU, Mr Anders Johnsson, briefed the Group on the "Consolidation of the reform of the IPU" and "The draft convention on the IPU". He informed the meeting that the IPU does not conform to traditional legal doctrine according to which the term international organization was defined as those created by multilateral treaties. Although the IPU had a legal personality that allowed it to act in the international arena it was not based on an international convention. It was proposed that by inviting states to conclude an international convention that had the effect of conferring the formal legal status of an international organization, the IPU would "recreate" itself. In short, concluding an international agreement would demonstrate states commitment to work together - through their parliaments - to promote democracy at the national and international level. It would also give political and diplomatic support to the IPU and would strengthen its ability to promote democracy as well as place the IPU on an equal footing with other international organizations.