Host Speaker of the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference(CPC), Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has called on Commonwealth Parliamentarians to develop solutions to the challenges facing member states.
Kadaga says there is a growing scrutiny of Parliamentarians with demands for accountability and transparency.
“Some of the issues we have been forced to contend with are climate change, individual and group terrorism, hunger and malnutrition, natural and man-made disasters; all of which affect the future wellbeing of our citizens,” Kadaga said.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 64th CPC on Thursday, 26 September 2019, Kadaga emphasised the need for legislators to address the growing number of refugees, rapid unplanned urbanisation, efficacy of Parliaments, interventions of climate change and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in politics and society.
“One of our assignments as Parliaments is the achievement of the UN Agenda 2030. We are expected to plan for, promote and monitor the effective implementation of the SDGs,” said Kadaga.
She advocated advocated for inclusion of youth in decision making to mentor future leaders of the Commonwealth, hence the rationale for another youth roundtable discussion of strategies to deal with unemployment, sharpening of debating skills and building networks.
Kadaga commended President Museveni for supporting Parliament to host the Conference for the second time since 1967, saying the country had since evolved to become a reliable member of the CPA.
Kadaga congratulated the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) on marling 30 years under the CPA, a period through which gender issues in the have been mainstreamed in the respective legislatures.
