The head of the National Assembly (Parliament), Carolina Cerqueira, when welcoming more than 1,300 participants, said that “peace is the only way,” in a global context of wars with devastating effects. and weakening of democratic institutions and justice.
Cerqueira urged to raise a common voice to guarantee security, reaffirm the commitment to justice and the strengthening of democratic institutions, a subject to which the event that will take place until October 27 is dedicated.
In times of crisis, the wise build bridges of friendship, unity, solidarity and participation to face the walls of hatred, intolerance and greed, said the president of the Angolan Parliament, who stressed that unity is not really needed.
“There is no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness and no forgiveness without love,” he said at another point in his speech, where he also called for change.
He promoted the holding of the assembly in Africa, in a Portuguese-speaking country and where a woman will be elected as president of the UIP, because four parliamentarians were proposed for the position.
The president of the organization, Duarte Pacheco, also highlighted these elements, as well as the wide participation in the event, in addition to praising the work of Angola as host.
He emphasized that the main theme of the event is peace, at a time when the world is involved in many conflicts and where the action of the parliament helps dialogue and resolve differences.
He considered that Angola is an example of how to overcome them and learn to live in peace, something with which the Secretary General of the IPU, Martin Chungong, agreed, who also recognized the work of Angola, and especially of President Lourenço , to resolve conflicts.in the Great Lakes Region.
Meanwhile, the special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, on behalf of António Guterres, requested the support of the IPU in the development of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He discussed the many challenges facing the world, which in addition to the need to find a diplomatic and dialogue solution to conflicts, must act to overcome food insecurity and reduce climate change, to mention a few .
In all of this, parliamentary action is essential to promote policies committed to human development, the guarantee of peace and security, he added.
