Parliamentary Diplomacy Must Be Lever for Reducing Inequality, IPU Vice President Tells P20 Summit

Parliamentary diplomacy must serve as a lever to reduce inequality, the Vice President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Ms Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka, told the P20 Speakers Summit hosted by the Parliament of South Africa.

The Summit, where Speakers of Parliaments from the G20 countries are gathering to discuss areas of cooperation in the legislative sector, started today. Several other Speakers from provincial legislatures, multi-party forums such as the Pan-African Parliament, the African Union (AU) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) are attending the event, which is a historic first for South Africa.

Ms Morawska-Stanecka told delegates that South Africa’s experience shows that “after the pain of injustice, it is possible to build reconciliation and after exclusion, it is possible to build equality.” Africa, she said, is a young and creative continent with significant potential. She also welcomed the inclusion of meetings for women and young parliamentarians in the Summit, as these platforms strengthen efforts to mainstream equality into parliamentary diplomacy.

“We are gathered at a critical moment in our shared history,” she reminded delegates, referring to climate change, persistent conflicts, growing inequalities, and technological upheavals. "These challenges know no borders or passports, and in the face of them, one thing is certain: no country can act alone. Together we are stronger."

Noting the theme of the Summit- “Harnessing parliamentary diplomacy for the realisation of global solidarity, equality and sustainability”- the Vice-President said that diplomacy between parliaments can be a powerful instrument for tackling inequality as well as conflict. She reminded delegates of the Geneva Declaration on Parliamentary Diplomacy, adopted by IPU members last year. The Declaration reaffirmed the role of parliaments in building peace and solidarity. She urged that this commitment now be extended to addressing the deepening divides between rich and poor, men and women, and between generations.

She shared her optimism that the Summit’s discussions can take a step further, as they consider the deployment of parliamentary diplomacy not just to prevent and resolve conflict, but to build bridges of solidarity, to support one another and work together in creating a more equal world, and to advance solutions and good practices for truly sustainable development.

“We face global challenges that require a spirit of collective responsibility. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that no one is safe until everyone is safe” Parliaments must translate this solidarity into concrete action through legislation that guarantees equitable access to vaccines, health care and education; through budgets that support international cooperation and through platforms that defend peace. “Solidarity is not a slogan. It is a moral and political obligation,” she told delegates.

The Vice-President acknowledged the unique strengths of parliamentary diplomacy. She said it allows the legitimately and democratically elected representatives of the people to engage in frank and direct dialogue with their counterparts around the world. Therefore, according to her, putting parliamentary diplomacy at the service of global solidarity, equality and sustainability is the mission we must pursue together.

She said the P20 has proven its value after 15 years of dialogue by embedding parliamentary perspectives into the G20 process. It must now use its influence to place equality and solidarity at the centre of global governance.

Mava Lukani

1 October 2025