Programme Director,
Co-President of the 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, Hon Max Sisulu,
Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures,
Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Sir Allan Haselhurst,
President of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Hon Thapelo Chiloane,
New Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Hon Rebecca Kadaga,
Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Dr William Shija,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is a great moment to be able to bid farewell to the delegates of the 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference which we had the opportunity to host as South Africa under the theme: "Effective Solutions to Commonwealth Developmental Challenges". I appreciate the fact that we have been able to conclude the business of the conference successfully.
One of the advantages of this conference was that it was held in the year in which the document which contains the core values and principles of the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Charter, was concluded. The Charter articulates the Commonwealth’s commitment to the core values and principles such as democracy, human rights, international peace and security, tolerance, respect and understanding, and freedom of expression to mention a few.
I have listened to a number of delegates agreeing with the relevance of the theme for the conference. Quite correctly, we may have looked at solutions on these matters in the past. However the question is whether these were effective.
As we noted at the beginning of the conference, the current Commonwealth developmental challenges include the need to strengthen governance and parliamentary democracy, to hold the executive accountable, ensure sustainable development, respect for human rights, eradication of poverty, ensure peace, security and stability in the world, increase access to land and ownership, as well as the need to engender democracy and women empowerment. These are the matters that the conference dealt with.
In particular, the deliberations of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference under the theme “Engendering Democracy” were encouraging. In this regard, a number of resolutions were adopted in an effort to ensure that the marginalisation of women is abolished and strategies to engender democracy are put in place.
It became clear that while great strides have been made in increasing the number of women Parliamentarians, some Commonwealth Legislatures still have very few women representatives. To address this, the CWP called upon political parties and governments within the Commonwealth to take positive action to enable women to realise their full potential in political processes.
Over and above participation in political processes, girl and boy children must be mentored and nurtured respectively with regard to the values of gender equality and women emancipation.
We wish the new Chairperson of the CWP, Hon Rebecca Kadaga of Uganda, all the best in championing the pursuit of these noble and practical goals.
The Small Branches Conference was clear with regard to the need to hear all the voices – irrespective of the size of our different jurisdictions if democracy is to thrive internationally. This is important because while we share common values and interests, the context under which these find expression are different. Also, allowing for a multiplicity of views is essential for purposes of resolving potential conflicts especially over resources where big states seek to undermine smaller states.
Through the excursions that were organised for you, we hope that you gained more insight into the history and reality of South Africa as you visited iconic sites of struggle. Those who visited the Cradle of Humankind would be able to bear testimony to the discovery at this site of the oldest fossils ever found in the world. We hope that this has deepened your knowledge about our country, especially with regard to its potential.
Former President Nelson Mandela said when he took office in 1994: “Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.”
In our quest for solutions to the developmental challenges that continue to confront us, it is our hope that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is strengthened to become an agent of change for the society that is governed by the values of people-centred democracy, sustainable development, peace and stability.
We thank you for coming and contributing to making the 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference a success. I would like to thank in particular the new President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Hon Cavaye Djibril, and wish him and the people of Cameroon a successful tenure and hosting of the next Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in 2014.
I thank you!
