Roundup: China's propositions applauded at parliamentary speakers' Conference

Parliaments of all countries need to work together on the basis of the consensus to build a world with greater justice and democracy and create better conditions for lasting peace and sustainable development, said China's top legislator at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held here.

The remarks were from the speech delivered by Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, which was well-received among speakers of parliaments to the three-day conference that concluded Wednesday.

Parliamentary leaders of San Marino, Laos, Thailand and Morocco personally congratulated Zhang on delivering a wonderful speech and expressed the hope to strengthen exchange and cooperation with China's National People's Congress.

More than 170 parliamentary leaders from over 140 countries and regions attended this conference, which ran from Monday to Wednesday.

"We, the Speakers of the world's parliaments, have convened at the United Nations in New York to give voice to their concerns and demonstrate our resolve to play our part in meeting the global challenges before us," said a declaration adopted at the end of the conference. "It is our ambition to provide a concrete democratic dimension to collective efforts aimed at creating a better world."

The conference, held at the UN Headquarters in the final run-up to the UN Summit on Sustainable Development, also gave the global parliamentary community's unequivocal support to the new development agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the next 15 years. The SDGs are due to be adopted at the Summit later this month.

"It is necessary that people join hands more than any other time around the millennium development goals," said Khalid Hilal Al Ma'awali, chairman of the Consultative Council of Oman at the conference.

"Slovenia supports the efforts towards an inclusive, effective and genuine global partnership based on the established principles of common and shared responsibility," said Milan Brgliez, president of the National Assembly of Slovenia.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations.

"What happened in the past, if not forgotten, can serve as a guide for the future," Zhang said.

China will hold grand celebrations marking the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War Thursday.

"We are convinced that the United Nations must remain the cornerstone of global cooperation and we take this opportunity to renew our solemn pledge in support of the Organization as it celebrates its 70th anniversary and the victory of the world over fascism," said the declaration of the conference, which will feed into the UN SDGs Summit.

"The UN embodies the ardent hope of people around the world for peace and development. Its 70th anniversary therefore provides an important opportunity for the international community to reflect on its history, look ahead to the future and move forward, so as to turn the vision of the UN Charter into reality," it added.

The Conference is organized by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and held every five years, under the auspices of the United Nations.

"China's national systems and institutions make it possible for people to enjoy more extensive rights and freedoms, be masters of their own lives and take a full part in the governance of the country and society," said Zhang. "The Chinese people know fully well how difficult it has been to find the right path. We will firmly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and create a brighter future of our nation."

Top legislators from other countries also noted the importance of finding the democracy and path of development suitable for one country.

"Every country faces specific challenges to achieve sustainable development and may follow different approaches, visions, models and tools, in accordance with the national circumstances and priorities," said Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker of the Lok Sabha of India.

"The form of democracy in a state depends on the socioeconomic circumstances, consolidation of its structure, the extent of awareness and the culture and political practices mastered by its citizens," said Khalid Hilal Al Ma'awali, chairman of the Consultative Council of Oman at the conference. Endit