MINSK, 19 August (BelTA) – A growing deficit of trust necessitates a more active involvement of MPs in the peace building process, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Vladimir Andreichenko said at a solemn opening ceremony of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (5WCSP) held by video conference, BelTA learned from the press service of the House of Representatives.
Addressing the participants of the conference, Vladimir Andreichenko expressed confidence that its results will be a meaningful contribution of parliamentary diplomacy in resolving key issues of today. “The complexity and controversy of ongoing processes and the growing deficit of trust necessitate a more active involvement of MPs in promoting peace, accord and sustainable development. This can be done only through a dialogue and mutual understanding, mutually beneficial trade and economic relations, and an equal access of all states to the latest science and technology solutions,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.
In this regard, he called on the Speakers to support unifying initiatives aimed at achieving these goals. “Among them are the initiative of the Belarusian president to restart the Helsinki process and to form a belt of digital good neighborliness. We must consolidate our efforts to overcome the crisis of multilateralism, to create a new, fairer system of international relations,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.
The opening ceremony keynote speakers were President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Gabriela Cuevas Barron, Chairman of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka, and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The agenda covers international issues such as achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, cooperation in healthcare, economy, the environment, gender equality and women's empowerment, youth participation in politics and parliaments.
The conference will adopt a declaration “Parliamentary leadership for a more effective multilateralism that brings peace and sustainable development to the people and the planet”.
On behalf of Belarus the video conference was attended by Chairperson of the Standing Commission on Health, Physical Education, Family and Youth Policy Lyudmila Makarina-Kibak and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Economic Policy Leonid Brich.
