UN Geneva - Multimedia Newsroom : World Conference of Speakers of Parliament: Inaugural Session

Now I would like to declare open the general debate on the theme of our conference, which is a world in turmoil, parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all.

You have before you, dear colleagues, a list of speakers drawn up in the order of registration, with due attention to regional and gender balance.

All Speakers are kindly invited to limit their interventions to 4 minutes so as to allow other distinguished Speakers of Parliament and Heads of Delegations to take the floor over the next 2 1/2 days.

That will be here.

I would like to also extend a coaches a reminder that this for the smooth functioning of IPU events and indeed of parliamentary diplomacy.

Defence on mutual depends rather on mutual respect, on the remaining attentive to what our peers have to say, but also on civil exchanges that rise above our differences.

And as you all have noted, we have to keep expanding our movement in the sense that we have to keep the doors open for people to come in, but also the doors are open for us to get out.

We can't do that if we are not civil to each other, if we don't rise above our differences.

That said, colleagues, I will now turn to the list of speakers who will be addressing us from now.

The first one would be Mr Faisal Akef El Fayez, the President of the Senate of Jordan, followed by Andreas Nolan, Speaker of Likshi Dagan from Sweden.

Mr Faisal Akef El Fayez, you have the floor.

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

This the microphone is on is not on hold.

So we are working to achieve democracy, global peace and promoting parliamentary work for prosperity that is required by the and this world in turmoil with escalating crises and conflicts and the lack of trust in international institutions that work for peace, peace in the world.

The worst that our world is witnessing right now is the results of conflict in terms of killing of innocent people.

The rise of number of displaced and forcefully displaced people and conflicts threaten international peace and security.

Today, unfortunately, we have the Russian Ukrainian war and its impact on the world, as well as the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

And what is happening in Gaza is a tragedy that we cannot imagine.

It's a crime against humanity.

And because of the expansionist policies of this country, the Middle East is living a dire situation where women, children and innocent people are the victims.

I would like to point out here that there are 7.2 million Palestinians who live within the historical borders of Palestine, including Israel occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, compared to 7.1 million Israelis.

So if Israel doesn't want a 2 state solution, then Israel as our King Abdullah the second said so Israel has to give the Palestinians all their political rights within one state.

If it doesn't do that it will not live in peace and the Palestinians will never get out their rights.

The question here is how can Israel govern over 7.2 million Palestinians if it doesn't give them their political rights?

Is it going to govern them with corruption, with force, with displacement?

Would the West with all its value accept this policy?

The question today is where is the role of parliaments and inter parliamentary unions, regional, international in stopping wars?

Unfortunately, the United Nations has failed in solving these wars.

Parliamentary cooperation can have a greater role in promoting international peace and security through parliamentary diplomacy, through constructive dialogue between different belligerent parties and through legislations that support peaceful resolution of all conflicts.

As parliamentarians here today, we are required to work in order to promote Social Security, social justice, healthcare and achieve balance between the South and the North.

We have to ensure an ethical use of modern technology, especially when it comes to protecting the privacy of people and guaranteeing the diversity, political, political diversity and to work together in order to uh, combat climate change and order to eradicate the umm the, the suffering of people caused by conflicts.

So we are called upon to increase our work in order to face all these conflicts, to face all these challenges.

We have to work with all international organisations in order to push towards the commitment to the international legitimacy resolutions.

International law, double standards will not achieve any peace and security in our world.

So we have to work to in order to us to respect the aspirations of our peoples to reach peace and security and to promote the cultural complementarity between populations and to guarantee their rights.

We have to stop racism and stop the hate, hate speech.

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Law must be respected and all violations with national law have to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.

Second, apart from the real wars that are waged, there are also several wars of propaganda going on, fuelled by disinformation and lies, not least on social media.

Again, Russia's war against Ukraine can illustrate this.

Russia tries to spread false narratives about the causes of the war and has been relatively successful in some countries.

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History has shown that when tariffs rise, there are almost no winners, only losers.

Free trade creates growth and innovation.

Protectionism leads to the economic stagnation and growing tension between countries.

4th Great powers are trying to impose their will on smaller states through threats and violence.

Russia is again a clear example, pursuing a 19th century imperialistic policy with the aim of dividing the world between great powers into spheres of influence.

5th Democracy is backsliding.

In many countries.

The pattern is often the same.

Attacks on freedom of expression and freedom of the media are followed by attempts to manipulate the electoral system and then by attacks on civil society.

6th gender equality is also backsliding in many parts of the world.

Rather than acknowledging that women's rights are human rights, work to promote gender equality is being questioned.

But in spite of all these challenges and many more, I remain an optimist.

I believe that eventually peace and democracy will prevail because of its inherent strength and the courage and commitment of so many individuals around the world.

Apart from the moral issue, there is also solid support for the notion that democratic societies are better than other societies, delivering growth and wealth to the benefit of all.

The laureates of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2024 highlight the connection between democratic institutions and economic development.

But nothing comes automatically.

I believe that countries with common values and common interests should work together closer.

IPU is 1 important platform for doing this.

I think it is very important to support struggling democracies and help them consolidate their institutions, not least their parliaments.

IP US Technical Support is invaluable in that work.

It is my firm belief that we as speakers of parliaments can promote peace and International Security and we can do it by standing up for democracy, human rights and the rules based world order.

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Thank you very much.

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Colleagues, I will now go to Speaker Adama Victorgo, Speaker of the National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire will be followed by Mr Le Zhao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.

Mr Victoria Togo, you have the floor.

President of the Inter Parliamentary.

Dr Julia, Madam, ladies and gentlemen, Speakers, Mr Secretary General of the Inter Parliamentary Union, Mr.

[Other language spoken]

Ladies and gentlemen, Speakers of Parliament, dear colleagues, it is an honour for me to take the floor today during this 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament of our Union, which is in this context of questioning of multilateralism with environmental challenges, with many different crises, the Palestinian crisis, Israel, Palestinian crisis, the Sudan crisis, the Ukraine, uh, Russia crisis, crisis in RU in Congo and many uh, trade crises.

I am really would like to congratulate the choice of this the the debate.

A world in turmoil, parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all.

Madam President, honourable parliamentarians, the current turmoil in the world calls on us for a strengthened parliaments.

Our differences should not divide us, but they should enrich us.

We should share our experiences, our challenges and our successes, and we can thereby find solutions that will transcend our borders.

It is urgent for us parliamentarians of the world to take on our historic responsibility, that of defending peace, to promote justice and a shared prosperity.

And it is only this way that multilateralism will take on its full sense and our multilateral institutions will be a platform for our common aspirations to create a better world for the happiness of our populations.

As parliamentarians, we really need to take action with the executive power to bring together our efforts to tackle the current challenges we are facing as a world.

We should make sure that our engagements that we take are converted into concrete action to guarantee peace for the world.

In the Cote d'Ivoire, we have made peace a permanent objective through creating dialogue and having equitable justice.

This is one of the fundamental aspects of my country that is highlighted by the President of the Republic, Mr Alison Owatar, and This is why we are going to carry on our relations out with our borders through multilateralism and cooperation with other parliamentarians.

Dear colleagues, the world is watching us and it is waiting for concrete actions together through a dynamic cooperation with our parliamentarians that is more inclusive, more dynamic and involves the public more.

We have to create an opportunity from this turmoil to create a more just and more beneficial future for the populations of the future.

History imposes this honours.

Thank you very much.

Committee of the National People's Congress of China will be followed by Miss Saiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan.

Mr Leji Zao, you have the floor.

Residency President Julia Oxen Residency Seekers of Parliament Dear colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen, 25 years ago, the Inter Parliamentary Union IPU held the First World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and made a solemn pledge to strengthen international cooperation and tackle global challenges together.

Over the past 25 years, legislatures the world over have deepened exchanges and cooperation, making a positive contribution to improving global governance.

Yet the world we live in remains far from being peaceful, and humanity's pursuit of peace and development is faced with grave challenges.

Legislatures have a responsibility to play a positive role in fostering a new type of international relations.

First, let us work together to uphold peace and tranquilly of the world.

We should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, respect the development paths independently chosen by the people of all countries, advocate bridging differences through dialogue and resolving disputes with cooperation, and contribute to the realisation of lasting peace and universal security in the world.

Second, let us work together to facilitate the global development and prosperity.

Legislation should place development and people's well-being front and centre and pursue mutual benefit and win win cooperation so as to provide a legal safeguard for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promoting common development of all countries.

Third, let us work together to advocate exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Legislatures should advocate respect for the diversity of civilizations, champion common values of humanity, and promote dialogues among civilizations and cultural exchanges so that different civilizations will inspire each other and prosperity.

4th, Let us work together to promote international fairness and justice.

Legislatures should firmly safeguard the international system with the UN and its core and the international order underpinned by international law and oppose all forms of hegemonic, high handed and bullying acts with a view to building a more just and equitable global governance system.

The National People's Congress of China highly values and actively supports the work of the IPUI wish to announce a donation of 1.5 million U.S.

dollars to the IPU.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti Fascist War.

It also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN.

China firmly defends the victorious outcomes of the Second World War and the post war international order.

We will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the IPU and fellow legislators of all countries.

We will work together to deliver on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.

Let us join hands to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

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Mr Lady Zhao, thank you so much for the announcement of the donation that you're going to make to IPU.

We really appreciate that commitment, but also the contributions that you have been giving to this institution.

Thank you very much, colleagues.

Now before us, we have Madame Sahiba Ghafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis from Azerbaijan.

You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Madam President, Honourable Speakers of Parliament, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it's a great honour and privilege for me to greet you all on behalf of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the six World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.

I would like to express my gratitude to the leadership of the Inter Parliamentary Union for their dedication and tireless efforts.

Thanks to them, this conference has become a meaningful and impactful platform for a dialect among parliamentary leaders, helping to shape the direction of our future into parliamentary cooperation.

Colleagues, since our last conference, the world has undergone significant change and unfortunately, not for the better.

At our previous conference, we focus largely on the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways to respond it.

Today, the number and complexity of global challenges have only grown.

These challenges demand immediate and decisive action.

Yet, in many cases, the lack of coordinated responses has allowed these problems to worsen and overlap.

As a result, the world is now more divided, less peaceful and less prosperous.

At the root of this troubling reality is the erosion of effective international cooperation and solidarity, the very foundation of multilateralism.

We are drifting away from the principle that only through collective action and joint responsibility, we can overcome global threats.

Dear colleagues, there is no doubt that a strong and inclusive multilateral system led by the United Nations had the potential to offer real and lasting solutions.

However, discussions on how to reform the United Nations system continue.

One thing is clear.

Any reform must result in a system where all nations, not just a few, have their voices heard, where international law is respected, double standards are rejected, and decisions taken are truly implemented.

Only under these conditions we can achieve the goals of peace, justice and prosperity for all.

Honourable colleagues, in this context, the growing role of parliamentary diplomacy is more important than ever.

It is encouraging to see the commitment of our parliaments to multilateralism and cooperation.

Our active participation is the work of the IPU, including this very conference reflects our shared vision and determination.

I especially appreciate the IP US close cooperation with the United Nations and its efforts to bring the voice of parliaments into the global conversation.

However, we must go further.

National parliament should become recognised stakeholders in the multilateral system because it's our people who are most affected.

When that system fails, they elected representatives who must be directly involved in renewing multilateralism.

This will make the system more democratic and responsive.

1 practical step forward could be to initiate inter parliamentary dialogue on reforms that better reflect the needs and of our citizens Distinguished colleagues.

Achieving peace, justice and prosperity for all requires more than institutions and agreements.

At its core, it's about building trust, confidence and mutual understanding between people.

We must embrace diversity not as a source of division, but as a strength that brings us closer together.

Encouraging dialogue between cultures play a powerful role in realising our shared goals.

In this context, I would like to mention the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which is part of the Baku process launched by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is Excellency Mr Ilhamali in 2008.

This Forum has been recognised by the United Nations as one of the leading global platforms for promoting intercultural dialogue.

I would like to highlight that during the 6th edition of the Forum held in May last year, our Parliament organised and inter Parliamentary conference, I think a valuable parliamentary perspective to these discussions.

With that in mind, dear colleagues, I would like to encourage the IPU to include intercultural dialogue as part of its future agenda and activities.

Thank you for your attention.

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We will now hear from Mr Norman Kurtumlus, who is the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkia, will be followed by Mr Wan Shin Wan, Speaker of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea.

Mr Kurtumlus, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, distinguished speakers of the Parliaments.

I extend my sincere thanks to the IPU and the UN for gathering us here today.

This venue is a symbol of multilateralism and peace building, embodying a century old commitment to the global cooperation we are passing through and increasingly turbulent time marked by conflicts and global challenges, from the Ukraine to Gaza, from climate change to deepen in inequalities, from the rise of discrimination and hatred to irregular migration.

The challenges which which we are grappling today are not subordinate to those of the past that shaped our institutions.

The current international system was built upon the promise of never again referring to the horrific crimes committed during the Second World War.

However, our world's remains a theatre of conflicts.

Gone are the days of the bipolar world.

Claims of unipolarity have also collapsed.

Before us lies the horizon horizons of the multi centric world order.

The rules and norms of this emerging era are still uncertain, further amplifying the fragility of the global order.

Faced with the growing number of the crisis and existential threats, the so-called rule based order is on the brink of the total collapse.

Our collective efforts therefore should focus on reforming global governance that has has failed to deliver justice and peace.

We must build an international order where the right, not the might, prevails.

Dear colleagues, today indifference has become dangerous.

More than ever, we are live living in a shared ecosystem socially, economically, politically and even ecologically.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to the justice everywhere.

When we tolerate inequalities, racial discrimination or ignorance of the fundamental tenets of the international law anywhere, we sow the seeds of unrest on stability everywhere.

Justice is not a privilege of the powerful, but the birthright right of all.

Dear friends, what is happening in Palestine right now is the universal issue of justice that concerns not only the Palestinian people, not only the Arabs, not only the Muslim countries, but all of the humanity.

It is a moral obligation for all of us to act collectively against genocide in making With this understanding, we as several parliaments have established the group of parliaments in support of Palestine in order to forge solidarity for Palestinian people and the support 2 state solution.

Apart from the urgent need to put an end to the unfolding genocidal campaign is Occupy in Occupy in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to bring perpetrators to justice.

We are of the view that the the Two State solution is the only path to establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.

As the United States Secretary General rightly underscored yesterday, statehood for the Palestinian Palestinians is a right, not a reward.

On this occasion, I invite all parliaments, all parliaments to join our group with the only condition that they embrace the vision of two State solution to make our voices heard more powerfully and effectively.

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Mr Wan XI Wu, Speaker of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea, will be followed by Mr Hugo Mota Wandeli Dan Nobrega, President of the Chamber of Deputies from Brazil.

Mr Wan Shi, who you have the floor.

Esteemed Speakers of Parliament from around the world, you are likely well aware of the political upheaval Korea has experienced over the past six months.

In December of last year, following a resolution by our National Assembly to lift martial law, I reached out to each of you with a letter asking for your trust in and support for the resilience of Koreas democracy.

And indeed, Korea has prevailed from the impeachment of a president who betrayed the Constitution and the trust of the people to the conduct of an early presidential election.

We overcame the crisis and peacefully restored constitutional order through procedures laid out by our Constitution and laws.

It is with pride in Korean democracy that I stand before you today, and I am truly pleased to see you all.

I also wish to express my deep appreciation for the interest and support extended by the international community during this time.

The Republic of Korea has shown that the true strength of democracy emerges when the active participation of sovereign citizens is joined by the responsible role of the legislature.

This truth reminds us that parliaments must also play a proactive role in addressing the global challenges before US war, the climate crisis, political polarisation, injustice and deepening socio economic inequality.

These challenges threaten peace, trigger humanitarian crises and jeopardise democracy itself and essential foundation for achieving social justice.

Allow me to highlight two key priorities.

First, we must strengthen coordinated legislative efforts among national parliaments to solve global problems.

Unlike executive branches, which consists of a few leaders, parliaments can demonstrate more democratic and inclusive leadership through legislation and budget authority.

Parliaments must help reduce inequality, ease social conflict, and promote social cohesion.

In particular, on transnational issues such as the climate crisis and artificial intelligence, it is essential to reflect the voices of various stakeholders, mediate conflicts, and share the experiences of our respective parliaments.

Second, we must enhance parliamentary diplomacy, especially multilateral cooperation, as a concrete Ave for addressing global challenges.

Last year at the G20 Speakers meeting, I formally proposed the launch of a speakers level forum dedicated to responding to the climate crisis.

This proposal led to the adoption of a joint declaration stating that we will continue to engage in climate cooperation at the highest parliamentary level this year.

As the Chair of the MICTA Speakers meeting, a platform for interregional cooperation, the Republic of Korea intends to lead discussions under the theme Parliamentary Cooperation for Peace Building and Humanitarian Assistance.

Fellow Speakers, I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your attention and support for the realisation of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2 and the founding of the United Nations, and it is fitting moment.

It is a fitting moment to once again amplify the message of peace.

This past Saturday marked the 72nd anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice Agreement.

It is the longest ceasefire in modern history and I sincerely hope that a message of peace can begin to emerge from the Korean Peninsula, where the war has yet to formally end.

Recently, there have been changes on the peninsula.

The loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at each other across the border, the leaflet drops and balloons carrying waste, the propaganda transmissions and jamming signals all have come to a stop.

These were acts that symbolise confrontation and hostility.

It is too soon to say what these changes will bring, but peace is something we must build.

And I believe that even in the coldest rivers and the frozen rivers, we do have water flowing in the bottom.

And I believe we do need to open up the window of dialogue.

And I believe that our shared determination for peace drives that effort forward.

I hope that this small step toward peace along the Inter Korean border may grow into greater peace on the Korean Peninsula and ultimately into peace and prosperity for the world.

And I look to the continued support and cooperation of the international community.

Thank you very much.

The flags a little bit, yes.

OK, So colleagues, now we will hear from Mr Hugo Mota Wanli Dan Nobrega, President of the Chamber of Deputies.

Brazil will be followed by Mr Tan Man Tran, President of the National Assembly, Vietnam.

Mr Wanli Dan Nobrega, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

Ladies and gentlemen, it's a hard satisfaction to represent the Parliament of Brazil in this six world corporate of speakers in Geneva, a symbolic city of international cooperation, in the year that we celebrate the eight years of the end of the World War and the creation of the United Nation.

The international context, it's marked by geopolitical tensions, intolerance, protectionism and weakening of the multilateralism we face.

At the same time, the challenge existential challenges of the climate change as well as a partition or digitalization of the life.

In this context, this challenge required more from us, not only dialogue, but we need more cooperation, not less diplomas.

It requires for the renovation of international bodies so that they can be more representative, efficient, effective for all.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil has been dedicated in a legislative agenda that respond to challenges of our time.

In terms of sustainability, we have compromised ourselves with energy, energy transition and ambitious targets of this globalisation.

We have made progress on green hydrogen, the full of the future and the resident system of emissions and the mobility as well as the adaptation climate in and offshore energy Corp 30 that Brazil would together with the United Nations will be hosting in the in Para in the heart of Amazon next year next month.

It will be an opportunity to show the world their big role that the Parliament of Brazil has in the development of the agenda.

We announced recently the the meeting of the parliamentary on in the in the COP state with the partnership or with the IPU in the digital world.

Parliament of Brazil will participate in the debate on the AI in order to promote innovation, safeguard rights and mitigate risks of its use.

Other proposals aim to protect children and daughter sins using the AI and promote consequence the technology at commercial level.

We have passed the law of economic repositiate and with the to combat discriminatory action with regards to Brazilian projects, but this steady response that it's aimed using commercial measures for rotationism and against interference of other count.

Ladies and gentlemen, Brazilian inter of inter Parliament in 2024, Brazil in partnership with IPU hold the P20 the the G20 Parliament.

We have promoted women, parliamentary women of G20.

We also hosted the bricks, strengthening the parliamentary cooperation and enlarging the representativeness of the South.

Global Ladies inch Ladies and gentlemen, we are in a very crucial moment in this international landscape.

We have the responsibility of making sure that the national government should respect the chart of the United Nations and make efforts to attain the SD GS and work for the implementation of the Act for the Future, which it was recently adopted by the General Assembly of it's.

We have also to have the architecture of the future that there is should be prevail fry and the understanding should be the ruling in this conference would like to take together.

Together we can make a brilliant world fair and sustainable for the good of all citizen, all citizen that we represent.

Thank you very much indeed, colleagues.

I'm now going to call on Mr Tan Man Tran, President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, will be followed by Madame Raymond Ghani, Speaker of the Senate of Canada.

Mr Tan Man Tran, you have the floor.

Honourable Chairman, esteemed delegates, the world is facing unprecedented upheavals.

Armed conflicts, rising geopolitical tensions, climate change, trade wars, growing economic in parties and worsening humanitarian prices are seriously frothing global peace and stability.

These challenges and sand borders spare new country and affect all people regardless of wealth, race and or religion.

They demand that we join hands and act together more than ever at the boys of our people.

Humans must take belief in promoting multilateralism and advancing peace, justice and prosperity for all.

Parliamentary cooperation is not simply about sharing legislative practises or adopting resolution.

It is the commitment to transform words into action, ideas into reality, and hope into opportunities for billions of peoples worldwide.

As a voice of the people's wills and aspiration, we must ensure that our policies and laws are anchored in the core of values of peace, justice and equality.

Ladies and gentlemen, to this end, I propose a few key directions for future parliamentary cooperation.

First, strengthening dialogue and building trust.

Parliaments should sustain regular FORA for open discussions on global issues, from regional conflicts to transnational challenges.

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This is the only viable path to building trust and fostering mutually beneficial corporations amongst nations and peoples.

2nd.

Promoting justice and equality.

We must prioritise policies that safeguard human rights, reduce inequalities and ensure that no one is left behind.

Parliament should strengthen their oversight role to ensure that governments hold their commitments to social justice.

Third, advancing environmental action and sustainable development.

Climate change remains an existential threat to our planet.

Columnies must lead in enacting legislations that protects the environment preserved by diversity and supports the community's most vulnerable to its impact.

4th Enhancing international Inter parliamentary corporations.

Parliaments are not only legislative bodies, they are also vital bridges between nations and peoples who enhance parliamentary diplomacy.

We can find a common denominator of interests amongst nations and people and help shape effective practical solutions to global challenges.

Distinguished delegates as an active member of the IPU, the National Assembly of Vietnam, to always affirm its strong commitment to multilateralism and parliamentary cooperation.

We believe that peace, justice and prosperity can only be achieved when all nations, large and small, uphold international law, equal partnership and place the interest of the people at the heart of their policies.

Today's conference offers a valuable opportunities for us to reaffirm the crucial role of parliaments in shaping a better world.

I urge all parliaments worldwide to seek common grounds, overcome differences and work together to build a future where everyone can live in peace, justice and prosperity.

In closing, I would like to express my unwavering conference in the power of international solidarity and the values of multilateralism and the rule of law.

By placing the interests of our peoples first, we can and will overcome the challenges of our time.

Let this conference serve as a meaningful milestone, marking the beginning of a stronger commitment, deeper cooperation and more decisive actions towards a brighter future for generates to come.

Wish the conference great success.

Thank you very much.

Madam Raymond Ghana, who is the Speaker of the Senate of Canada, will be followed by Mr Fukushiro Nukaga, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Japan.

Madam Raymond Raymond, Ghana, you have the floor.

Colleagues, it is a great pleasure to take the floor on this occasion, which is of great importance.

I would like to take the floor to speak on these very important issues that that face us today, which are of great importance.

In the first conference, our predecessors made a statement which underscored these the great difficulties regarding democracy, the rights of people and sustainable development.

Right from the beginning, they insisted on the importance of international cooperation to to meet these challenges.

They spoke about the importance of reforming the United Nations to allow our organisation to be the cornerstone of a multilateral system which is solid and effective.

But first and foremost, they stress the importance of Parliament in international cooperation.

In these words, we saw that they reflected the great concerns that faced the world.

Our world is at a turning point and nobody is saved by the crises and the new challenges.

Nevertheless, we can and we must be part of the solution.

We can all work to strengthen multilateralism and we can all strengthen the system of the United Nations, which is the pillar of our lives.

I have spoken with my counterparts and with other colleagues and discussed with other colleagues many issues, and there are two main issues which I would like to address with you right now.

Within the framework of the debate on multilateralism, the importance of regional cooperation is fundamental and accountability is fundamental.

Regional cooperation is essential for our bilateral and international efforts, guaranteeing that many issues are taken into account and indeed the right issues are taken into account to guarantee a better future.

There are many approaches to further regional cooperation.

Many of these are useful and must be preserved and strengthened, particularly if they are complementary with other mechanisms and particularly if they place the focus on multilateralism and cooperation.

We must work on accountability.

We understand the importance of accountability.

Our collective efforts to improve the multilateral system will indeed lack in a legitimacy if we are not accountable to all stakeholders.

As underscored previously, parliaments have an incredibly important role in guaranteeing accountability and this is the case now and has been the case in the past.

Each Parliament is unique and each Member of Parliament has the possibility of choosing how exactly they want to implement and follow international agreements, strengthening multilateralism.

To conclude, despite the challenges that we face on the global scenario, the global stage, our respective parliaments must understand the path ahead and we must carve this path ahead.

Our successors will meet up in the next conference and their discussions will address not only the potential improvements, but also the concrete achievements made thus far.

Thank you very much.

We now turn to Mr Fukuchiro Nukaga, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Japan will be followed by Mr Sarda Ayaz Sadiq, speaker of the National Assembly, Pakistan.

[Other language spoken]

Axon IBUIBA, President Axon, distinguished speakers from Parliament.

Thank you for gathering around the world.

It is a great honour to participate in this important assembly for the world have gathered.

Today, the international community faces a multitude of diverse and increasing conflict, challenging including conflict, poverty, health and medical care and climate change.

The issue is getting even more serious.

Guided by the principle of multilateralism centred on the United Nations, Japan has promoted the concept of human security, aiming to build a society in which all people can live in freedom from fear and want and in dignity, and to descend.

Japan has provided of ODA a strong focus of the human capacity development, including technology transfer and human resource training, and our total contributions have exceeded 600 billion U.S.

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With a strong belief and importance of working on the ground, I have made the promotion of ODA my life's work.

Before assuming the role of Speaker, I served for many years as the Chair of the Parliamentary League supporting Japan's international cooperation, and in my previous role as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, I have also actively advanced the Human Security policy as a government initiative.

This policy particularly emphasises the importance of the quality of education for all by focusing on the individuals who make up society.

One such initiative is the project launched in 2001, Asian Engineering Higher Education Network Project.

In this project, 26 universities in ASEAN and 18 universities in Japan collaborated to foster students and conduct joint research, leveraging each other's strength, and there was a virtual virtuous cycle of human and knowledge exchange.

Japan has invested approximately 100 million U.S.

dollars in this project and to date, over 1400 individuals have earned degrees through this programme and the network has continued to expand and deepen for over 20 years.

For example, one student studied through this project at the Tokyo Institute of Technology through this project and conducted research and communication systems that support modern society and earned A doctoral degree in 2012.

The student has since become a leading figure in Advanced Research in their home country and now serves as the president of a University of Technology in their home country.

And another student who studied Earth resource engineering spent five years from 2003 conducting research at Kyushu University in Japan.

Upon returning to his home country, he collaborated with a resource development company to promote the effective use of his country's resources such as nickel, aluminium and copper.

And in 2020, since he contributed to the advancement of industry, he was awarded his country's highest honour for engineers.

So, these are just a few of the many examples where human resources nurtured through this network have gone to lead scientific and technological research and education in respective regions.

The network, built in collaboration with ASEAN countries, have significantly contributed to strengthening education and research capacity in the region.

Enhancing education fosters future leaders and serves as a foundation of national economic development as well as the stability and the prosperity of the region around the world.

Japan will continue to provide for actively robust support in this area and further expanding such initiatives.

This will link to the sustainable development of the global community over time.

We have conducted this up to now and we will continue to conduct the support in this regard as parliamentarians entrusted by our citizens bear a heavy responsibility to deepen inter parliamentary cooperation and dialogue through discussion within the IPU and other international forums and thereby contributing to the advancement of international cooperation especially in the field of education.

I am very much obliged to meet face to face with the chairpersons across the globe and I call upon all Parliament to join forces and move forward together and I am more than happy to support.

In an educational basis and in this world, there are talented parliamentaries which are available today.

So in collaboration with each other, let's work at full force in order for the betterment of the world.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Colleagues, apologies, it became very difficult for me to cut him short because when he came in, he was very respectful and we all clapped for him.

I believe you all agree with me, right?

[Other language spoken]

So we now go to Mr Sarda Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, will be followed by Sir Lindsay Holley, Speaker of the House of Commons from the United Kingdom.

Mr Sadiq, you have the floor, Bismillah Rahmani Rahim.

Madam President, fellow Speakers of the Parliament from all over the world, parliamentarians, guests, ladies and gentlemen, Assalam Alaikumwa, Rahmatullaheva Barakatu and a very good day to all of you.

It is with sense of history that I addressed this historic gathering of the presiding officers of the national legislators from across continents of this beautiful city of Geneva, the international city of global diplomacy and a hub of multilateralism.

Geneva provides us an ideal location to discuss a world in turmoil, parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice, prosperity for all.

What is more, our presence in Geneva must also remind us of the fate of the League of Nations, born and buried in this very city, with when multilateralism failed to stop the surge of populism, rise of the right and narrow interpretations of nationalism.

Yet again, after nearly a century, we stand at crossroads.

The world faces a multi multitude of interconnected crisis threatening international peace and security, economic stability and sustainable development.

Situations of foreign occupation continue.

The tenants of UN Charter and international law are being violated with impunity by some who are willing to sacrifice international peace at the altar of the narrow electoral Gale and homogenic regional ambitions.

the United Nations and the multilateralism it represents are facing challenges from populism, ultra nationalism and unilateralism.

Despite the UN Charter promises of better standards of life for humanity, over 100 development countries are in debt distress or facing liquidity crisis owing to structural deficiencies in the international trade and financial architecture.

Climate change possesses an extentless threat more than ever.

Peaceful settlements of disputes through strengthening multilateralism is strategic, is a strategic necessity.

Peace cannot be achieved through cohesion or or unilateralism.

It needs dialogue, mutual respect, diplomacy and respect for the principle of UN Charter to restore trust in multilateralism from Palestine to Jammu and Kashmir.

We must ensure implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and double standards, as well as the weaponization of food, water and denial of all human rights.

The carnage in Gaza must end to address the vicious cycle of poverty and raising global inequality.

International financial infrastructure must be reformed to promote development and global financial equity.

Excellencies, as parliamentarians, we have a duty to confront these realities with moral clarity and political courage.

And as representative as as representative presiding officers, we must encourage advocacy or judge solutions and upholding of international law without exception.

This can only be achieved if pragmatism, accommodation, respect to reason guides us instead of populist slogans and demagogue.

It is thus high time we stop pointing fingers and join hands.

We put an end to blame game and create win win situation.

We stop using these platform from point scoring and let reason prevail.

The world has seen enough bloodshed.

It is time for new ideas.

It is time to promote pluralism.

It's time to accept diversity.

It's time for a new start.

I thank you all.

[Other language spoken]

We will now listen to Sir Lindsay Holy, Speaker of the House of Commons, United Kingdom, followed by Mr Abdul Rahim Abdullah, Speaker of the People's Majlis of Maldives.

Sir Lindsay Holy, you have the floor.

Can I just say to conference, there is breaking news from the UK.

The Cabinet meeting has taken place and the suggestion is the recognition of Palestine by September unless there is a ceasefire.

I would like to express some hard truths.

The United Nations in Inter Parliamentary Union rightly recognise the benefits of multilateralism.

There are multilateral in nature, born out of philosophy, providing frameworks that are meant to constrain optimistic behaviour and encourage coordination.

But does multilateralism work for the world?

We face the rise of populism, nationalism, protectedism in some countries has raised concerns about the future of multilateralism, it's effectiveness on international cooperation.

There is no doubt that the problems we face, the demands upon the multilateral cooperation.

For example, no single country can deal with the challenges of global warming or stop the global pandemic or establish a sound and just financial system.

But while no Singleton country can solve the problems, it is not enough to make multilateral agreements.

The political argument has to be won country by country through democratic means.

I am democratically elected independent speaker and elected parliamentarian for 28 years.

I am not part of the government.

I'm a defender of the rights and the voice of the backbench members of parliament to hold the government to account, regardless of what political party they come from.

I believe that democracy, with the separation of powers between the executive, legislator and judiciary has to be a system running in parallel with multilateralism.

And let us also face the reality of intergovernmental organisations are dominated by governments and officials who work for them.

There is nothing wrong with that.

We expect our governments to set and international policy goals, but that does risk a disconnect.

Those governments should be responsible to the parliamentarians via democratic legislators and ultimately the people who control the direction of the state.

It is crucial that parliaments are included in in conversation, but unless our electorate agrees, we will not achieve our aims.

I'm not going to pretend that the electorate always agrees with the majority of those in Parliament, but what we think in Parliament does matter.

It is certain that the electorate will be sceptical if the representatives feel that multilateral organisations have nothing to do with them, or these vital conversations are happening without the representations and representatives being involved.

For that reason, I welcome the fact that the Westminster Parliament engages with conferences such as these.

I'm proud of our engagement with the number of inter parliamentary bodies.

It is vital that we build ties with one another, that we speak about the difficult issues.

Because we seek to forge ties across the world.

We must do so link by link and individual parliaments are vital links.

We may differ, we may have different priorities and perspectives, but the differences could only be resolved by open and honest discussion.

I welcome the inclusion of the commitment of the last autumns.

You impact for the future deeper United Nations engagement with national parliaments, the United Nations into governmental bodies.

That engagement must be two way.

Multilateral organisations need to think about how we engage with Parliament.

We all want to achieve peace, justice, prosperity for all.

Let's talk about the best way to find that path.

[Other language spoken]

We must not forget about the problems we face.

My great hero was Doctor Martin Luther King.

[Other language spoken]

We should have a dream.

We should have a dream that the war ends in the Middle East, the war in Europe should end.

We should not forget about the suffering of the people of the forgotten war in Sudan.

But of course, we mustn't forget to remind Russia it is wrong to illegally occupy and attack a sovereign country.

What we need to see is peace.

We need that support.

[Other language spoken]

Let us have that dream for peace.

A war that we should be fighting is a war on poverty, climate change, equality, women's rights, young people, LGBT plus rights, democracy and freedom.

That is the war that we should be taking up.

Peace has got to be the answer.

Let us just not be tolerant with each other, but let us respect each other.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much, colleagues.

I'm now going to call on Mr Abdul Rahim Abdullah, who will be followed by Candia, Madame Candia Camisoco Kamara, President of the Senate of Cote d'Ivoire.

Mr Abdullah, you have the floor.

Vishnu Ahmed Jaheim Al Hamdullah Bahatamin Waswat Wasala Mada Nabina Muhammad Imwala to address the 6th World Conference of Speakers here in Geneva.

Though the Maldives is one of the smallest island nations in the world, our commitment to cooperation and multilateralism remains unwavering.

We believe that no nation stands alone and that our strength lies in unity, dialogue and shared purpose.

Madam President, we are gathered here today at a time when the world faces immense challenges.

The theme of today's debate award in turmoil.

Parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all could not be more urgent.

From Gaza to Ukraine, from widening inequality to rising seas, people are anxious and institutions are under strain.

For small states like the Maldives, we often feel the shock waves first.

That is why we rely on the strong rules based international order.

Madam President, in 1989, the Mall is brought forward aun resolution on the security of small states, reminding the world that no nation is safe until every nation is safe.

Last April, on the International Day of Multilateralism, President Doctor Mohammad Moiz renewed the call, stressing that justice must be a right for all, not a privilege of the powerful.

As a developing small nation, we strongly believe in the importance of cooperation and multilateralism.

We believe that lasting peace and shared prosperity can only be achieved through dialogue and collective action.

Madam President, like many others, we believe that climate security is peace.

The more this is working tirelessly to overcome the effects of climate change, Our Climate Emergency Act of 2021 commits us to achieve in net 0 emissions by 20-30.

But we cannot do this alone.

We need multilateral support and climate justice that recognises the needs of the most vulnerable.

Madam President, parliamentary diplomacy plays an important role in our efforts to promote peace and cooperation.

The Maldives Parliament has established over 25 parliamentary friendship groups with various parliaments across the globe, reflecting its commitment to building strong bilateral ties.

We also engage actively with international parliamentary bodies such as IPU and CPA.

Yes, the world is in turmoil, but parliaments rooted in the will of the people can offer hope.

Madam President, the suffering of civilians in Gaza is a painful reminder of why parliamentary cooperation and multilateral action urgently needed silence and election, not options when lives are at stake.

[Other language spoken]

Dialogue or vision, Cooperation or conflict, Unity over isolation for peace, justice and prosperity must belong to all.

As the speakers under the IPU, let us work closely with UN to ensure the people's voice shapes global decisions.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

[Other language spoken]

I had already called on Madame Candia Camusoco Camara, President of the Senate of Cote d'Ivoire, will be followed by Mr Juan Esteban Lazo Fernandez, the President of the National Assembly of the People's Power, Cuba.

Madame Camara, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

Madam LA President, Your Excellencies, Madam President, Your Excellencies, Speakers of Parliament, the world is experiencing multiplication of complex crises today.

Once they are interdependent, there are armed conflicts, rise of extremism, the climate crisis, food insecurity, inequality and we need this multilateral dialogue and structure.

This is shaking justice, peace and sustainable development.

In this context, the Cote d'Ivoire, from the high authority of his excellence, this President Alison or Natara, is creating development, inclusive development and peace.

Our institutions are carrying out important social and economic reforms in this region where we have instability.

The Cote d'Ivoire is having a sustained economic growth and political and social stability.

We have a healthy budgetary allocation and we are reforming our leadership and the Cote d'Ivoire Parliament has created an impressive scenario in our country.

In the African continent, we are the Peace and security cannot be separated from justice and inclusion.

No state can face the complexity of the current threats alone.

Multilateralism is not an option, it is a necessity.

However, multilateralism should be rethought and should be applied through the parliaments.

Globalisation and the the great acceleration of things around the world have created uncertain situation and generally the national parliaments approve treaties before their ratification.

However, the competences of the parliamentarian should not just limit to this formal application of international treaties.

The parliamentarians have a legitimacy to take part in international relations and it's through their actions that we will see this transnational public opinion to an international stage and a diplomacy of the people.

This is why I would like to call for our parliamentary corporation to be a lever for active participation, to share experiences, to create rules and to carry out concrete action for those who are most vulnerable.

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, to conclude, I would like to stress the participation of the Senate, of the Cote d'Ivoire for solidarity, for a diplomacy of people who are aware of what is happening on the ground, and to strengthen multilateralism.

Together, we should be the creators of a more just, more safe and more prosperous world.

Thank you very much.

[Other language spoken]

Colleagues, I had called on Cuba, but we will not be having interpretation.

So I'm now going to call to the floor the 2 speakers of our host country, Miss Maya Renica, President of the National Council, and Mr Andrea Caroni, President of the Council of State.

Please come and join us.

Yes, Miss Maya Renica, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

And I would like to thank the Swiss authorities and the Geneva authorities for organising this reception.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Republic authorities of Geneva and the city authorities of the city as well, and I would like to greet the Federal Council that incarnates the tradition of dialogue in favour of peace and of multilateralism.

Switzerland is truly engaged to for gender equality.

That is why the 15th Summit of the Speakers of Parliament Women Speakers of Parliament organised with the alongside the Swiss Parliament, is a strategic step towards the making clear the priorities of parliaments around the world in terms of equality and peace.

And for this 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, it was about parliamentary corporate cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all.

And to re legitimate the the dialogue with the people and to show all of the diversity and richness of our countries needed.

And we need to meet this engagement to face the challenges of tomorrow.

And we want to look at the digital governance as well.

And which is needed for governance, the rings or the the dual nature of the Force in in Star Wars risks becoming a power that enslaves us rather than serves us.

Now in our parliaments, we possess neither magic wands nor lightsabers, but our strength lies in our principles of freedom, inclusivity, diversity of opinions, transparency and accountability.

And this is it is up to us to build legislative frameworks that steer technology towards the common good without stifling innovation.

That is the delicate balance that we must strike.

Hey, voila, look later here La Swiss on La Matia cela gubernos Democratic without the governance, the national governance we have in Switzerland.

We need this digital tools to use in in our governance and Geneva.

It's, we hope that in the future we'll be able to create this pillar of this, this evening in particular, a defining moment to reaffirm our shared commitments to a multilateralism fit for this new era.

And on that final note, I would like to invite you to join us at the Serpentine Bar for a moment of conviviality and fellowship, because that's what parliamentary diplomacy is about too.

I now declare the Swiss reception open.

Please follow us.

[Other language spoken]

Colleagues, we will resume tomorrow at 939 thirty.

We will continue with the debate, but let me thank all of you for being very patient with us, but also our interpreters for being very patient with us.

I would like to also say thank you for the speaker of Equatorial Guinea and the Speaker of Cuba for their understanding, because they were supposed to speak today.

Thank you so much for your indulgence, colleagues.

See you tomorrow.

[Other language spoken]

World Conference of Speakers of Parliament: Inaugural Session - 29 July 2025