NEW YORK – Chairman Senate of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday met President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Dr. Tulia Ackson, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to parliamentary diplomacy, multilateralism and global cooperation.
At the outset, the Chairman conveyed warm greetings and appreciated the IPU’s historic role as the global voice of parliaments and a guardian of parliamentary democracy. He said Pakistan views the IPU as a vital platform for promoting dialogue, rule of law, inclusive governance and constructive engagement among nations.
Recalling Pakistan’s active participation in IPU Assemblies and Standing Committees, Chairman Gilani referred to his participation in the 150th IPU Assembly held in Tashkent in April 2025, where Pakistan contributed to debates on peace and security, sustainable development and climate action. He also highlighted Pakistan’s hosting of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad in November 2025, which concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Islamabad Communiqué, reinforcing the link between peace, security and sustainable development.
On democratic governance, Chairman Gilani emphasized the Senate’s role in inclusive legislation, minority protection, provincial representation and parliamentary oversight. Referring to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he recalled that Pakistan adopted the 2030 Agenda through a unanimous parliamentary resolution in 2016 and expressed interest in closer cooperation with the IPU in SDG-aligned legislation, public finance oversight and evidence-based lawmaking. On climate change, the Chairman noted that Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable countries and recalled the devastating 2022 floods. He called for enhanced collaboration with the IPU in climate-responsive legislation, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. Commending the IPU’s work on gender equality, he highlighted Pakistan’s constitutional provisions for women’s representation and cited the Benazir Income Support Programme as a major initiative for poverty reduction and women’s economic empowerment.
On global peace and human rights, Chairman Gilani appreciated the work of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for peaceful conflict resolution. He reiterated Pakistan’s position on the right to self-determination of the people of IIOJ&K and its support for establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds as its capital. Dr Ackson welcomed Pakistan’s constructive role in IPU and expressed support for continued cooperation to advance democratic governance and global parliamentary solidarity.
Gilani Meets IPU Secretary General
Chairman Senate also met IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening institutional linkages between parliamentary secretariats. He acknowledged the IPU’s support in capacity-building for parliamentary institutions in developing countries and stressed that professional, efficient and non-partisan parliamentary secretariats are essential for effective parliamentary diplomacy. Chairman Gilani said the Senate Secretariat remains committed to ensuring Pakistan’s active and coordinated participation in IPU activities, including follow-up on resolutions and technical cooperation. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to deepen collaboration between Pakistan’s Parliament and the IPU for a more just, inclusive and peaceful international order.
