7th MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation (Videoconference, 7 February 2022)

7th MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation Joint Statement

“Effective parliaments supporting democracy”

1. We, the Speakers of the Parliaments of MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey, and Australia), attended the virtual meeting of the 7 th MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation, which was hosted by the Parliament of Australia on February 7, 2022. We met again to learn from each other’s experience and considered the theme of “Effective Parliaments Supporting Democracy.

2. Once again, the MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation aims at fostering tolerance and understanding to make its contribution to the international community. We seek to ensure that government measures promote peace and prosperity, sustainable development, promotion of social inclusion and at the very heart – democratic values.

3. We recognised the continued complex challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented -accelerating structural changes to the established global order, parliaments need to continue to provide guidance and hold governments to account.

4. The rise of misinformation, disinformation, fake news and political polarisation in the wake of the pandemic has made the task of parliamentary oversight more difficult and can undermine democratic process. We recognised that strong democracies require strong parliaments.

5. We acknowledged the need for parliaments to strengthen processes and stand firm on overseeing government policy, in an unprecedented era where necessity has required imperative judgements to maintain the health and safety of citizens. We noted the critical role of MIKTA parliaments in leading responses and cooperation at the national, regional, and global levels.