Akpabio in Geneva: Parliamentary Diplomacy Critical to World Peace

President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has stressed the need for increased efforts in parliamentary diplomacy.

Akpabio spoke at the 148th Assembly of the InterParliamentary Union and Related Meetings, held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday.

A statement by his media office said the senate president maintained that parliamentary diplomacy was critical to achieving peace in the world and resolving conflicts. He called for more progress in parliamentary diplomacy, stating that though the Nigerian legislature had explored the concept and achieved many successes, more could still be done.

Akpabio, according to the statement, said, "The parliament in Nigeria has played a crucial role in curbing polarisation and ensuring peace through legislation."

Apart from the legislative function, he said the parliament also “employs mediation to address conflicts between nongovernmental organisations and the government, as well as disputes involving labour unions.”

Sharing the progress and initiatives of the 10th National Assembly under his leadership, he said, "It has become imperative for the world to recognise the power of the collective voice in shaping a better future for all, as it is in a critical juncture in history.

“We stand at a pivotal moment in history, an intersection where the choices we make and the words that we speak have the potential to positively shape the future of a world in constant crisis.

“Therefore, we lend the voice of our country to the patriotic call for collective action to address the challenges facing our wonderful world. Nigeria has stunning kaleidoscopic diversity and a vibrant cultural heritage.

"The obverse side of this diversity is that Nigeria often faces the tragedy of commons where individuals and groups act in their self-interests, leading to the decline of shared resources.”