Parliamentary leaders pledge to promote global sustainable development efforts

The debate marathon at the Fourth Speakers of Parliament conference held at UN headquarters over the last three days ended Wednesday with adoption of a declaration vowing to promote global sustainable development efforts, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The declaration endorsed the 17 new SDGs targets to be formally adopted at a summit to be held here later this month.

"These debates formed a very important part of the conference," said President Saber Chowdhury of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, sponsor of the event. "Over the last three days we have heard more than 170 speakers and deputy speakers. In addition there have been the regional parliaments ... eight of them."

"I think it has been a very rich discussion," he added.

The world's parliamentary leaders committed to bringing parliament closer to the people by tackling growing public skepticism and disconnect with politics, social and political marginalization, gender inequality and an imbalanced power relationship with government, the IPU said in a wrap-up release.

The Speakers and their deputies 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, the IPU said.

They also pledged to pursue efforts to make parliaments more representative, accountable and transparent.

While welcoming the overall aim 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 SDGs on the promotion of peaceful, inclusive societies and the building of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.

Speakers recognized the responsibility parliaments have been given in ensuring the implementation of the SDGs through legislation, allocation of budgetary resources, and holding governments accountable for attaining the goals, the IPU said. Parliaments would also work to build public awareness and national ownership of the SDGs in order to leave no-one behind and strengthen links between parliament and government at both national and local levels.

Although some progress has been made on commitments to increasing women's participation in parliament since the 2010 Speakers' Conference, the IPU said the pace of change remains unacceptably slow overall. Some countries have announced plans to change electoral laws that will ensure more equitable representation of women, youth and minorities.

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," said Chowdhury. "They require a different mindset, a new way of doing politics. Parliaments and their leaders must ... grasp the opportunity to shape a new destiny for the world and our planet." Endit