The Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania and current President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson, has made a significant mark on the global stage by leading the adoption of a new resolution at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, aimed at deepening collaboration between the UN, national parliaments, and the IPU.
The resolution, officially titled A/79/L.104 “Interaction between the United Nations, National Parliaments and the Inter-Parliamentary Union,” was presented by Tanzania and co-sponsored by over 51 countries, before being formally introduced to the General Assembly by the Acting Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the UN, Ambassador Dr. Suleiman H. Suleiman.
A Vision for Stronger Global Democracy
In her address before the adoption, Dr. Tulia Ackson highlighted the growing importance of involving national parliaments in the realization of key global objectives. These include:
- The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Global peace and security
- Human rights and gender equality
- Inclusive governance and democratic participation
Dr. Tulia emphasized that parliaments serve as the closest democratic institutions to the people, and therefore must be fully integrated into the multilateral process of addressing today’s global challenges.
Key Provisions of the Resolution
The resolution urges greater cooperation between the UN and the IPU, including:
- Enhanced parliamentary engagement on climate change, health, digital transformation, and gender equality
- Support for the involvement of parliamentarians in high-level UN meetings
- Partnerships with UN agencies such as WHO, UNDP, and UN-Women to strengthen legislative institutions
- Recognition of June 30 as International Parliament Day and September 15 as International Democracy Day
A Landmark Adoption
The resolution was adopted unanimously, with 153 votes in favor and only one vote against, signaling global consensus on the critical role of legislatures in multilateralism.
This development reflects Tanzania’s growing influence in international diplomacy and showcases Dr. Tulia Ackson’s leadership in promoting democratic institutions worldwide.
