The newly established forum seeks to leverage the power of parliaments to addressing the unprecedented geopolitical and geo-economic challenges facing the world today.
At the event, Fabakary Tombong acknowledged the unprecedented geopolitical and geo-economic challenges facing the world today, describing the current era as a critical juncture in history.
“With the rise of zero-sum games, power politics, and geopolitical rivalries, compounded by non-traditional security threats such as climate change,” he added.
These factors, he added, pose significant risks to global peace and prosperity, adding that the establishment of an Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference to pursue the objectives of world peace demonstrates conviction and acknowledgement of the fact that there is a constructive pathway to peace through parliamentary diplomacy.
Speaker Jatta reminded that Parliaments have an important role to play in helping to foster peace, unity and shared prosperity through their constitutional functions of legislation, representation and oversight.
"I am of the believe that as legislators, we are the custodians of our peoples' trust and the architects of their future. Our role in promoting unity and shared prosperity is critical and multifaceted. In our effort to take center stage in the effort to bring world peace, we must ensure that our national laws are harmonized with global commitments, provide robust oversight to guarantee compliance, and advocate tirelessly for the rights and welfare of all citizens."
He thus urged colleagues to ensure that challenges that often trigger conflicts such as uncertainties faced by national economies in the context of globalization, weak infrastructure, poverty, climate change, the refugee crisis, terrorism are addressed in their bid to promote peace.
The event attracted delegates from more than 120 countries representing different sectors to celebrate unity and shared hope for global peace. These delegates represented a diverse mix of individuals, including government officials, state representatives, religious leaders, academics, and members of civil society.
In addition, some 40 Speaker's attended the inaugural Assembly of the ISC and signed the agreement establishing the Organisation.
The formal announcement of the establishment of such a high-level parliamentary organisation will be made on Saturday at the Chamber of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.
