The Shura Council State of Qatar

The Shura Council concluded its participation in the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, which was held in Geneva over three days under the theme: "A World in Turmoil: Parliamentary Cooperation and Multilateralism for Peace, Justice, and Prosperity for All."

The Council's delegation to the conference was led by HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.

Conference participants discussed a number of key issues, including: promoting justice and equality, reviewing progress in implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, exploring ways to enhance youth participation, and developing the role of parliaments in confronting multiple crises.

In the final declaration of the conference, the Speakers of Parliament collectively reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the values of peace, justice, and prosperity through the advancement of effective parliamentary cooperation, the promotion of parliamentary diplomacy, and the guarantee of respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

They emphasized expanding the role of parliaments in global governance, warning that the world is undergoing an unprecedented state of turmoil reflected in the proliferation of conflicts, erosion of multilateralism, rise of nationalism and protectionist policies, spread of misinformation, lack of accountability, increasing fragility of governance systems, continued poverty, widening inequality, lack of climate security, and declining representation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in decision-making positions.

The declaration stressed that addressing these challenges requires major policy transformations based on shared human values, broader participation in international processes, and substantial reforms in the international system, particularly in the United Nations, the Security Council, and global financial institutions.

It called for the full respect of sovereignty principles, the building of fair and transparent institutions, enhancement of security, provision of a secure and balanced digital infrastructure, empowerment of women and youth, achievement of climate justice, eradication of poverty, promotion of green and circular economies, and investment in health, education, and social infrastructure, as well as combating all forms of discrimination.

It also underscored the importance of integrating the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national strategies and policies, combating misinformation, supporting community engagement, and initiating parliamentary hearings on the root causes of insecurity, such as climate change, poverty, discrimination, and lack of justice.

The declaration emphasized the need to strengthen parliamentary participation in the work of the United Nations and intensify cooperation with its bodies and agencies, drawing upon the Charter for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration for Future Generations. It called for a strong parliamentary role in monitoring the implementation of major international agreements and overseeing government positions.

The declaration further highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of dialogue and openness within parliaments, establishing committees focused on future-related issues, active engagement in the use of modern technologies, upgrading parliamentary skills, and leading inclusive legislative processes that embrace all societal voices.

It affirmed the close partnership between the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations as a key to building a more peaceful, just, and equitable world for current and future generations.