The 148th session of the IPU Assembly convened in Geneva, Switzerland from March 23 to 27, 2024, drawing participation from numerous parliamentarians worldwide. Central to the agenda was the exploration of “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Fostering Peace and Mutual Understanding.”
During the proceedings, on March 25th, a panel organized by advocates from the Human Security For All (HS4A) initiative and the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), which included Global Security Institute President Jonathan Granoff, delved into the topic of “Human Security: Empowering Parliamentarians for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding.”
In light of recent data indicating armed conflicts in 56 countries in 2023, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the IPU Assembly served as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and diplomacy among parliamentarians at global, regional, and bilateral levels. This complemented the efforts of the United Nations and other multilateral bodies.
The assembly’s culminating document, the “Geneva Declaration: Parliamentary Diplomacy: Fostering Peace and Mutual Understanding,” ratified on March 27, 2024, emphasized the significance of human security within parliamentary diplomacy. It stressed the imperative of prioritizing citizens’ protection by addressing fundamental needs such as access to food, healthcare, and environmental stability, alongside ensuring equal rights for all, as pivotal measures for advancing peace and development.
In the context of today’s dynamic global landscape, characterized by multifaceted insecurities stemming from conflicts, environmental crises, pandemics, and economic challenges, there is an exigent call to rethink approaches towards conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. As the UN’s human security approach approaches its 30th anniversary, the imperative for a proactive, empowering, and preventive framework centered on people’s well-being has become increasingly evident in tackling the intricate challenges confronting societies worldwide.
The Global Security Institute is dedicated to strengthening international peace and security based on co-operation, diplomacy, shared interests, the rule of law and universal values. Our efforts are guided by the skills and commitment of our team of former heads of state, distinguished diplomats and politicians, celebrities, religious leaders, Nobel Peace Laureates, disarmament and legal experts, and concerned informed citizens. Our focus is on controlling and eliminating humanity’s greatest threat – nuclear weapons.
