Heads of CIS Parliaments Participate in X BRCIS Parliamentary Forum
11 July 2024
The X BRICS Parliamentary Forum held an extended plenary session on the theme “The role of parliaments in enhancing the efficiency of the system of international relations”.
Representatives of the BRICS parliaments, invited countries, and inter-parliamentary organizations joined the forum.
Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council Valentina Matvienko opened the session.
She highlighted that the transition from an outdated unipolar world model to a transparent and multipolar system is underway. Transition underscores the need for cooperation, which leads to open honest and equitable dialogue, respecting the interests of all participants.
Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation also emphasized the effectiveness of the IPA CIS in the harmonization of legislation. She stressed the need to actively promote ideas of an equal and indivisible system of the international security, preserving the central and coordinating role of the UN in international relations, and establishing an equitable and transparent global order based on norms of international law.
President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania Tulia Ackson stressed the crucial role of parliaments in promoting global peace.
She explained that the human factor, which leads to climate change, and risks associated with nuclear war, and other global issues are interconnected and transcend borders. Besides, MPs should leverage inter-parliamentary diplomacy to consider diverse perspectives and ensure global peace and peaceful coexistence.
Tulia Ackson also pledged the IPU's support for the establishment of a BRICS+ group within the organization and committed to active collaboration with the unity.
Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova emphasized that the BRICS MPs should promote sincere dialogue among each other to prevent double standards in the unity. The Speaker stated Azerbaijan aspires to become a permanent member of BRICS.
Sahiba Gafarova announced that Azerbaijan and the IPU will organize a parliamentary meeting within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. She expressed hope that the event would allow legislators to discuss measures to combat this threat and invited everyone to participate in the session.
Speaker of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalya Kochanova believes that special attention should be given to electoral sovereignty. She stressed that the significance of election outcomes extends beyond domestic agenda and impacts the future of the world order.
Moreover, it is vital for countries advocating constructive development to develop a common strategy to prevent interference in their internal affairs. She also noted that interregional cooperation could serve as a driver for further rapprochement between countries, leading to positive socio-economic effects.
Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev highlighted that the comprehensive program of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is highly relevant and indicates the increasing role and significance of parliamentary diplomacy in the world.
Maulen Ashimbayev identified food security as one of the potential areas for inter-parliamentary cooperation. He emphasized that stable and predictable food prices, security of logistics chains, and the implementation of innovations for the rational use of water and land resources are critical today.
The Speaker of the Senate also stressed the sphere of science, new technologies and innovations as a potential area for cooperation.
Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Shakiev noted that the participation in the BRICS+ format fully aligns with Kyrgyzstan's national interests. The Speaker emphasized that there are numerous examples in the world confirming the significant role of parliaments in resolving serious disputes and challenges.
Speaker of the Federation Council of the Parliament of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Agnehehu Teshager, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Deputy Speaker of the Council of States of the Parliament of the Republic of India Harivansh Narayan Singh joined the session.
Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy also participated in the event.
On 11-12 July, X BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held. Representatives from Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, China, UAE, Russia, Ethiopia, South Africa and the IPU joined the event. Moreover, delegations of the Commonwealth countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also participated. Approximately 400 participants from 17 countries were engaged in the event in the headquarters of the IPA CIS, the Tavricheskiy Palace.
The main theme of the forum was “The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security”.
