This statement is released today to celebrate parliamentarism at a time when diplomacy is being sorely tested on the international scene. In 2025, armed conflicts between countries have escalated and the international order which rests on the peaceful settlement of disputes has been greatly fragilized. Armed interventions through ballistic missiles, drones or fighting jets have caused extensive damage to the civilian population. In this respect, tensions around the world are also leading to state protectionism and precautionary investments in ammunitions and weaponry, thus diverting funds from the pool of resources available for human-centric services such as health care, gender mainstreaming or climate action.
At a time when lasting peace for the world appears to be a surreal objective, it is quintessential for parliaments to rally towards peace-building and the exploration of diplomatic means to protracted conflict resolution. Parliament, as a democratic institution, is ideally positioned to demonstrate neutrality, be critical in war policing, and to legislate or exercise oversight in view of ensuring that the state and its enabling institutions are on a trajectory that promotes peace through conciliatory measures. Inter-parliamentary cooperation and diplomacy, spearheaded by mandated representatives can go a long way to promote ceasefires and mediate for the pacific settlement of disputes.
Moreover, it is also crucial to include women and youth representatives to contribute to the parliamentary movement bearing in mind that peaceful solutions can only be attained when they are inclusive, holistic as well as gender-responsive. The Forum thus associates itself fully with the theme of “Achieving Gender equality, action by action” that marks the 2025 IPU theme for this commemorative day. Historically, it has been demonstrated time and again that women MPs can be efficient emissaries of peace and can also resolve complex conflicts which may have eluded policymakers for decades. The time is nigh for MPs, both men and women, to garner their representative
mandate and dismount the prospect of war between nations, de-escalate intra-state conflicts, and ensure that budgets are prioritised to address the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including to enable Universal Health Coverage under SDG 3, a coveted aspiration for most SADC citizens.
With these words, we wish to cheer for Parliaments in the SADC region and beyond.
Long Live Parliaments!
