Sept 03 , 2015
News
Global summit pledges to reconnect people with democracy
Parliamentary leaders from 140 countries adopt ambitious declaration at UN Headquarters
APP
NEW YORK – Parliamentary leaders from nearly 140 countries pledged to do their utmost to reconnect people with democracy in an ambitious declaration adopted at the end of a three-day global summit at UN Headquarters in New York.At the fourth world conference of speakers of the parliament, more than 170 speakers and deputy speakers acknowledged that extraordinary efforts would be needed to build a world that people want by turning the tide against the many challenges that undermine democracy, peace and development.
“The world is at a crossroads. The enormity of the challenges that we and our planet face is daunting. We must have resolve to overcome them. How political leaders respond to the crises that threaten us has perhaps never been as important to our future as now,” Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Saber Chowdhury of Bangladesh said.
Pakistan's 14-member delegation to the conference was led by National Assembly’s Acting Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi. In the declaration, the world leaders committed to bringing parliament closer to the people by tackling the growing public skepticism and disconnect with politics, social and political marginalisation, gender inequality and an imbalanced power relationship with government.
They underlined the need for constitutional and institutional reforms in transition countries, social justice, good governance and the respect for human rights, including freedom of speech and assembly. They pledged to pursue efforts to make parliaments more representative, accountable and transparent. Although some progress has been made on commitments to increasing women participation in the parliaments since the 2010 conference, the pace of change remains unacceptably slow overall.
Some countries have announced planned changes to electoral laws that will ensure more equitable representation of women, youth and minorities. The conference, held at the UN Headquarters in the final run-up to the UN Summit on Sustainable Development, also gave the global parliamentary communities unequivocal support to the new development agenda with its 17 goals (SDGs). The goals are due to be adopted at the summit later this month.
Welcoming the overall ambition to end poverty and promote peace, equality and the well-being of the people and the planet, the speakers and IPU committed to working to achieve reaching Goal 16 on the promotion of peaceful, inclusive societies and the building of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. They recognised the responsibility parliaments have been given in ensuring the implementation of the goals through legislation, allocation of budgetary resources, and holding governments accountable for attaining the goals.
– Protection to migrants, refugees –
The parliaments would also work to build public awareness and national ownership of the goals in order to leave no-one behind and strengthen links between parliament and the people. However, the speakers called for greater efforts to solve conflicts, end terrorism and violent extremism, as well as to better protect migrants and refugees. As prerequisites for development and social equity, global peace and security had to be an international priority.
Solutions to what may seem overwhelming challenges are there. They require a different mindset, a new way of doing politics. Parliaments and their leaders must step into the political breach as the voice of the people and grasp the opportunity to shape a new destiny for the world and our planet, the IPU president said. “IPU will support them at every point,” he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk