The International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace holds its 12th Session in Geneva

The International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace held its 12th plenary session on March 3 and 4 in Geneva, chaired by H.E Djangarang Epainete, Member of Parliament from the Republic of Chad.

The session was opened by keynote speeches from H.E Mahmadtoir Zokirzoda, Speaker of the Parliament of Tajikistan, H.E Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and members of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace. The IPTP is consisted of members of parliaments of over 100 national and regional parliaments worldwide.

The International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace convened for a two- day session to deliberate on strategies for enhancing and coordinating international efforts to foster a global culture of tolerance and peace.

During the discussions, participating members voiced profound concern over the crises and conflicts affecting various regions worldwide. They underscored the fundamental role of dialogue and tolerance in addressing these challenges, emphasizing that peaceful solutions should be pursued through negotiation, preventive diplomacy, and regional and international mediation efforts.The Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to rejecting violence as a means of conflict resolution and advocated for measures to promote reconciliation, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Additionally, it highlighted the necessity of integrating the principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence into educational systems, media narratives, and national and international policies to cultivate long-term stability.

The session culminated in the unanimous adoption of a resolution reaffirming support for the Universal Peace Charter: for People and the Planet. This Charter, originally adopted at the eleventh session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace at the Cambodian Parliament on November 24, 2024, serves as a guiding framework for promoting international peace and security. The resolution urged governments, parliaments, international and regional organizations, and civil society to actively disseminate and implement the provisions of the Charter. It further called for close cooperation with the United Nations and relevant international bodies to embed the Charter’s principles into global peace-building efforts.

In addition, the resolution stressed the importance of strengthening mechanisms for joint parliamentary action at national and regional levels to advance sustainable and peaceful conflict resolution while fostering social justice and sustainable development. It also encouraged states to endorse the Charter as a comprehensive framework for enhancing international cooperation in pursuit of global peace and security.

Addressing pressing international concerns, the Parliament’s final statement included a strong position on the situation in Gaza. It expressed full support for the ongoing ceasefire agreement and underscored the urgent need to implement all phases of the agreement to achieve a lasting cessation of hostilities. The Parliament reiterated its call for a comprehensive and just peace process between Palestinians and Israelis, advocating for the realization of the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions. It also emphasized the importance of facilitating immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza and advancing reconstruction efforts to ensure security, stability, and dignity for its people.

Regarding the crisis in Sudan, the Parliament conveyed its deep alarm over the escalating violence, civilian casualties, displacement, ethnic cleansing, and attacks on humanitarian aid convoys. It strongly condemned the use of internationally prohibited weapons and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Parliament urged the international community to ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance, particularly essential medical and basic aid, to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation.

Furthermore, it advocated for the establishment of a transitional government inclusive of Sudanese political and civil forces to restore the country’s democratic trajectory towards an elected government, while reaffirming the principle of civilian governance free from military interference in state affairs.

In its concluding remarks, the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace reiterated its unwavering commitment to advancing tolerance and peace through diplomatic and parliamentary initiatives. It emphasized the significance of reinforcing global partnerships to foster security, stability, and equitable development among nations.

The Parliament concluded its statement with an appeal to governments, parliaments, and international organizations to embrace dialogue, cooperation, and openness as fundamental pillars for a more peaceful and sustainable future for generations to come.

The International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace is the parliamentary arm of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace. Comprising current members of national parliaments worldwide, the Parliament is dedicated to examining global developments in tolerance and peace and formulating appropriate recommendations to address emerging challenges.

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