“Gabon is writing a new page in its history,” assures Jean-François Ndongou in Geneva.

Gabon is becoming more and more active on the international diplomatic scene, especially through its parliamentary diplomacy. As proof, there is the presence of the President of the National Assembly of the Transition, Jean-François Ndongou, at the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly being held since March 23 in Geneva, Switzerland. The general debate focuses on “parliamentary diplomacy: building links to promote peace and understanding.” In this context, the chamber president noted that “very aware of the power of parliamentary diplomacy, Gabon does not hesitate to use it,” especially in managing and resolving crises.

Jean-François Ndongou at the tribune of the 148th IPU Assembly in Geneva. © Com. National Assembly

The President of the National Assembly of the Transition, Jean-François Ndongou, is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, where he is representing Gabon at the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU) – from March 23 to March 27, 2024. An international meeting of parliamentarians focusing on ” parliamentary diplomacy: building links to promote peace and understanding “. An opportunity for the head of the Gabonese parliament to emphasize that ” in Gabon, as everywhere in the world, we can affirm without reserve that parliamentary diplomacy or diplomacy of the people, enshrined by United Nations resolution 65/123 adopted in 2010, must be associated with the bilateral and multilateral mechanisms of our States to prevent conflicts, restore peace, disseminate a culture of peace, and strengthen democracy rooted in our socio-cultural values and our determination for a peaceful return to constitutional order “.

Since the debate is about the use of parliamentary diplomacy to promote peace and understanding, the general debate provides delegates with a platform to discuss, exchange viewpoints, and galvanize parliamentary action in this area.

This leads the President of the National Assembly to state that his country is very aware of the power of parliamentary diplomacy and does not hesitate to use it. ” On the contrary, we make use of its direct, pragmatic, and open nature to defend the causes that are dear to us, noble causes, and to speak from the heart with the ultimate goal of building a peaceful country firmly rooted in the restoration of its institutions and the consolidation of its young democracy, based on our socio-cultural values and our determination for a peaceful return to constitutional order “, he declared at the Geneva tribune.

Jean-François Ndongou, in this context, calls for greater engagement by parliamentarians for the return of peace to conflict zones, especially in Africa and the Middle East. Citing the Senegalese poet-president Léopold Sédar Senghor, he also stated: ” I have the firm conviction that it is us, parliamentarians, who must urge leaders to move forward, to defend just causes, those of the populations we represent, both nationally and within our regional and international communities “.

© Com. National Assembly

According to the chamber president, Gabon, his country, is currently writing a new chapter in its history. ” In this process, as he pointed out, we have engaged, under the high instructions of the Head of State, Brigadier General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, in a global diplomacy in which parliamentary diplomacy holds a special place “. This led him to recall the regular meetings with ambassadors from friendly countries, high-level meetings with representatives of international parliamentary organizations.

During these discussions, Jean-François Ndongou expressed support for the proposal made by the President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, namely: to establish a parliamentary group for promoting peace in conflict regions.

At the end of this 148th session, the Assembly will adopt resolutions on the urgent point and on the issues discussed by the Permanent Commission on Peace and International Security entitled ” the social and humanitarian impact of autonomous weapons systems and artificial intelligence ” and by the Permanent Commission on Sustainable Development entitled ” partnerships for climate action: promoting access to affordable green energy and encouraging innovation, responsibility, and equity “.

On the sidelines of the 148th IPU Assembly, the President of the National Assembly had several audiences, including one with the President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, Adama Bictogo.

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