Uganda’s Speaker of the Parliament, Anita Among, has urged fellow Commonwealth counterparts to lead in creating a peaceful and conflict-free world.
She made these remarks at the close of the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) held at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala on Saturday, 06 January 2024.
Among highlighted the increased violence and wars globally and called on Parliaments to not remain bystanders in the face of such geopolitical changes.
She also emphasized the importance of advocating for the respect of diverse values, cultures, and traditions within the boundaries of friendship.
Among reiterated Uganda’s commitment to supporting cooperation among Commonwealth legislatures and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy through various interparliamentary bodies and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
The conference, held from 03 to 06 January 2023, provided a platform for delegates to discuss climate change, security, gender inclusivity, and youth engagement in Parliaments.
Speaker Among stressed the need for deliberate efforts to promote youth engagement in parliamentary processes, citing Uganda’s annual Youth Parliament as a key strategy.
The conference also emphasized the role of Parliaments in addressing climate change through legislation and announced India as the host for the 28th CSPOC in 2026.
Deputy Chairman of the Indian Parliament’s upper house, Harivansh Narayan Singh, expressed India’s readiness to host the conference and showcase its diverse culture.
The objective of the conference is to maintain fairness of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Parliaments and promote understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.