Roundup: IPU parliamentarians pledge transformative action on global peace, development

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have committed to taking necessary actions to carry forward proposed new sustainable development goals (SDGs) due to be adopted later this year and the success of the SDGs would transform the world and the lives of its people, said an IPU press release on Wednesday.

The 132nd IPU Assembly (IPU-132) and related meetings closed Wednesday in Hanoi after five-day gathering, drawing over 1,300 delegates from members and associate members of IPU.

Parliaments from across the world reaffirmed their vision of sustainable development based on human rights, poverty eradication, peace and security in the Hanoi Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the IPU-132.

Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, IPU members committed to translating them into enforceable domestic laws, holding governments to account and pledging to align budgets with national sustainable development plans.

The Hanoi Declaration, the result of a debate on The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, highlighted the need for institutions such as parliaments, and decision-making processes to be strengthened so that they are fit for realizing the new SDGs.

The document is adopted by parliamentarians from 133 countries and 23 international regional parliamentary organizations.

Speaking in his closing remark, IPU President Saber Chowdhury said the efforts of two-year discussion for development agenda of the next 15 years was reflected clearly through the Hanoi Declaration.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Sinh Hung, chairman of Vietnam's National Assembly and also chairman of the IPU-132, said the event gathered representatives from countries across the world discussing national and international issues and promoting implementation of new SDGs.

The result of the event will contribute to maintaining peace, strengthening cooperation among countries, parliaments and promoting development of the international community in post-2015 period.

During the five-day event, IPU also adopted several resolutions that could have impacts on global peace and security, including those on water management, cyber warfare and national sovereignty, non-intervention in internal affairs of states and human rights.

In its resolution on water governance, national parliaments are called to implement international treaties and resolutions on water management and human right to water and sanitation through laws and budget allocations.

With water scarcity already affecting one in every three people worldwide, and in the absence of effective management of this critical resource, two thirds of the world's population will face water shortages by 2025.

The IPU resolution, themed "Shaping a new system of water governance: Promoting parliamentary action on water,"calls on parliaments to advocate a dedicated and comprehensive water and sanitation goal in the new SDGs as access to clean water and sanitation remains part of"unfinished business"of the Millennium Development Goals. Nearly 750 million people lack access to clean water and 2.5 billion are without improved sanitation.

IPU members also identified a comprehensive series of measures to counter the growing threat of cyber warfare to peace and global security, while acknowledging the need to strike a balance between security concerns, respect for privacy and e-development priorities.

Among actions to be taken, states are urged to ensure law on armed conflict applied to cyber warfare. For parliaments, that is to work with government branches and civil society to develop a cyber security strategy.

Amongst other key outcomes during the assembly was the decision to carry out a planned fact-finding parliamentary mission to Syria in the coming three months.

The IPU-132 was held in Hanoi from March 28 to April 1. The next IPU Assembly will be held in Colombia in October 2015. Endi