Global parliaments adopt roadmap for peace and cooperation

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) concluded on Wednesday with the unanimous adoption of the Islamabad Communiqué, reaffirming the resolve of global parliamentary leaders to advance peace, security, and sustainable development through enhanced dialogue, cooperation, and parliamentary diplomacy.

The two-day conference, held from November 11–12 under the theme “Peace, Security and Development,” brought together Speakers and parliamentary delegates from over 40 countries.

The participants underscored the pivotal role of parliaments in tackling shared global challenges, promoting justice and inclusivity, and reinforcing multilateralism.

The communiqué recognised the ISC as a vital platform for fostering parliamentary dialogue, capacity building, and inter-regional cooperation. It called for institutionalising parliamentary diplomacy through memoranda of understanding, joint committees, caucuses, and youth forums to strengthen collective efforts against transnational challenges such as climate change, food and water insecurity, and conflicts.

Highlighting the interdependence of peace and development, the delegates agreed that sustainable growth cannot be achieved without enduring peace — and peace, in turn, requires justice, equality, and inclusion. They urged all parliaments to promote reconciliation, mediation, and proactive diplomacy to bridge political and cultural divides.

The communiqué also reaffirmed the participants’ commitment to aligning their legislative and oversight roles with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It stressed the importance of empowering women, youth, and marginalised communities, reducing the digital divide, and developing fair and transparent AI governance frameworks to enhance innovation and economic inclusion.

On global challenges, the document called for collective parliamentary action against terrorism, extremism, climate change, pandemics, hate speech, and Islamophobia. It also endorsed fair and adequate climate financing in line with the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities, urging sustained investment in education, research, and innovation to build resilient societies.

The communiqué further emphasised the need for inclusive and transparent regional connectivity initiatives, trust-building measures, and non-interference in states’ internal affairs to foster peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity.

Concluding the conference, participants pledged to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, while strengthening parliaments as institutions of dialogue, accountability, and peace-building.