Speaker pushes peace agenda at Global Summit
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE has joined global parliamentary efforts to push for peace and justice as Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda and Senate president Mabel Chinomona lead the country’s delegation to the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Istanbul, Türkiye, amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East and other parts of the world. The high-level summit, which opened on Tuesday and runs until April 19, is being held under the theme; “Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations.” It has brought together lawmakers from 183 national parliaments to deliberate on peacebuilding, democracy and sustainable development. In a statement, Parliament said the gathering comes at a critical juncture as the international community experiences unfolding geopolitical tensions and humanitarian crises caused by ongoing wars. “The statutory Assembly offers a unique opportunity for participating lawmakers to pronounce themselves eloquently in advancing peaceful solutions to global war conflicts as ensconced within the auspices of Parliamentary Diplomacy,” reads the statement. Adv Mudenda and Senate president Chinomona are accompanied by Zimbabwe’s standing delegates to the IPU, including legislators drawn from various parliamentary committees and forums covering democracy, human rights, sustainable development, health, women and youth affairs. In a significant diplomatic development, Zimbabwe chaired the SADC Group meeting, which was held ahead of the Africa Geo-Political Group caucus, with Adv Mudenda presiding in his capacity as the “Dean of Speakers”.The regional bloc unanimously resolved to support an emergency motion calling for urgent parliamentary efforts to preserve ceasefires and strengthen peacebuilding initiatives globally. The proposal, backed by delegations from Qatar, Australia, Türkiye, France, Brazil and Zambia, was later endorsed by the wider African caucus. Upon arrival in Istanbul, Speaker Mudenda was received by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Cde Alfred Mutiwazuka who briefed the delegation on the embassy’s operations and ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral and parliamentary relations between Harare and Ankara. The ambassador also recommended the renewal of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries to deepen diplomatic and legislative ties. ReadMore