130th IPU Assembly and Related Meetings

Geneva, 16-20 March 2014

General Debate on “IPU at 125: Renewing our commitment to peace and democracy”

           Valeriu-Andrei STERIU

    Member of the Chamber of Deputies

             ROMANIA

TALKING POINTS

Mrs. Chairperson,/Mr. Chairman,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am most honoured to speak before you at this anniversary session when the IPU is celebrating 125 years of existence.

On behalf of the members of the Romanian IPU Group – the 540 Romanian parliamentarians, Deputies and Senators altogether – I take this opportunity to reconfirm our commitment to further support this organisation, the ideals and values it stands for, and the objectives it pursues.

Romania’s participation in the IPU dates back in 1891. We are proud to have such a longstanding experience in the first ever international parliamentary forum.

Since its creation, the IPU has developed into a focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue, for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.

At its 125^th anniversary, our organisation enjoys well deserved recognition for its truly remarkable contribution to the strengthening of parliamentary institutions worldwide, and the promotion of democratic governance, both nationally and internationally. 

This celebration is first and foremost an occasion to take stock of the many ways and forms in which the IPU has generated positive changes for our institutions and parliamentary work.

Enhanced legitimacy and institutional effectiveness are objectives shared by all parliaments, be they from countries with solid democratic traditions or from emerging democracies.      

Undoubtedly, going far beyond its role in enhancing the virtues of parliamentary diplomacy, its instruments and its scope, the IPU has provided valuable tools enabling us to consolidate national parliaments, to increase their status and relevance.

The Parliament of Romania hosted last February, in Bucharest, an IPU seminar for Central and Eastern European countries, where we had an interesting exchange of experience on the contribution of parliaments to the activity of the UN Human Rights Council, particularly its Universal Periodic Review mechanism.

We have found on that occasion that parliaments in our region are truly determined to involve themselves more and from early stages in UPR and other similar processes under various international instruments. The contribution of the IPU in helping us to achieve this goal is incontestable.         

Dear colleagues,

In today’s world, the number and diversity of parliamentary assemblies, networks and fora, with sometimes similar objectives and mandates, are on the rise.

Therefore this anniversary is also a good moment to focus on the achievements, assets, areas of action and mechanisms which define the uniqueness of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

IPU’s added value lies in many dimensions and features. These include: its universal vocation; its outstanding expertise in democratization processes, particularly the strengthening of parliamentary democracy, and the promotion of gender equality in politics; its unique mechanism designed to protect the human rights of parliamentarians; and the special relation with the UN, with a significant potential towards developing a parliamentary dimension for the United Nations – a potential that has yet to be harnessed.

IPU remains a privileged forum for dialogue and exchanges among parliamentarians from all over the world. It is also the forum where the international parliamentary community takes common stances on a wide range of topical issues, including situations of crisis posing threats to international security and the rule of law. The agenda of the current session stands proof. 

The Romanian IPU Group has been an active contributor to the thematic debates and the drafting of IPU resolutions addressing a variety of issues, such as: fighting organized crime (2010); the transparent financing of political parties (2011); ensuring sustainable development through the management of natural resources (2011); the enhancement of health for women and children (2012); fair trade and innovative financing mechanism for sustainable development (2013).

At the same time, IPU plays a major role in raising awareness among parliaments about the need to take a closer look at global processes shaping the future, at their stakeholders, stages, and expected results, and to integrate them in the parliamentary agenda.

Indeed, international decision-making processes with far reaching effects in each and every country, on each and every people, need parliamentary vision and input, if we want them to be effective. This is equally true for the current reflection processes that are shaping the post-2015 Development Agenda.

Let me recall, in this context, the results of the UN MyWorld Survey, which show that having an honest and accountable government is among the top four priorities of citizens across the world. This is yet another confirmation of our role and responsibility, as parliamentarians, and of the increasing relevance of the IPU in promoting democratic governance and the rule of law.

In our view the deepening of cooperation between IPU, its member parliaments and the United Nations should be integrated throughout the various activities as top priority of our organization, to be pursued with renewed determination and innovative resources.

The upcoming debate in the UN General Assembly on the Cooperation between the United Nations, national parliaments and the IPU offers us an excellent opportunity to highlight the parliamentary contribution to the work of the UN, and the fact that parliamentary support for the implementation of multilateral agreements enhances the UN global role, allowing international processes to translate into effective results at national level.

Thank you for your attention.