10th MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation (Mexico City, May 6-7, 2024)

10th MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation

Chair’s Statement

“The Coordinated Action of Parliaments to Build a More Peaceful, Equitable, and Fair World”

1. We, the Speakers of the Parliaments of Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Türkiye, and Australia, gathered in Mexico City on May 6, 2024, for the 10th MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation on ‘The Coordinated Action of Parliaments to Build a More Peaceful, Equitable, and Fair World,’ and shared and exchanged perspectives and legislative experiences regarding realities and issues of particular relevance to our countries.

2. We acknowledge that parliamentary diplomacy, by its characteristics, stands as a fundamental tool for MIKTA parliaments to advance in achieving their objectives; we state that by fostering an open, transparent, and collaborative dialogue and by adopting an inclusive, plural, and agile perspective, parliamentary diplomacy not only promotes mutual understanding among legislators but also spurs the necessary cooperation to address the most pressing global challenges in an increasingly challenging polarized environment and growing inequalities.

3. We reaffirm our commitment as people’s representatives to protect and promote peace, both at the national and international levels. This commitment is based on upholding the rule of law, respecting international law, bolstering the multilateral system with the United Nations at its core, safeguarding the human rights of individuals, promoting international cooperation among nations, and addressing the root causes of conflicts, guided by the principles of equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination. We advocate for the peaceful resolution of disputes and for maintaining all principles and purposes enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

4. We emphasize the value and importance of parliamentary diplomacy as a tool for cooperation towards lasting and sustainable peace, including through cooperation among parliaments to enhance the national legal framework with respect to international law and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal ” Peace, justice, and strong institutions” of the 2030 Agenda. We consider that the upcoming Summit of the Future in September 2024 could be an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the commitment to support the acceleration in implementing the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals as well as to strengthening global governance institutions.

5. We recognize the advancement regarding the Sustainable Development Goal ” Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment“. We are aware that there is still a long way to go towards substantive equality, therefore Parliamentarians must continue to increase efforts to defend, promote, and guarantee the human rights of women and girls, ensuring their increasing participation in all decision-making processes.

6. We are committed to identifying areas of opportunity and acting within our powers to eradicate stereotypes and any form of violence, discrimination, harassment, and abuse against women and girls. If there is violence against women and girls, sustainable peace cannot exist.

7. We will promote strategies to reinforce women’s empowerment, increasing their presence in key decision-making positions in both the public and private sectors and addressing prejudices that limit their full participation and development in all sectors.

8. We highlight that the pursuit of economic prosperity is a necessary driver for the overall well-being of all individuals, fellowship among nations, and the improvement of international relations.

9. We stress our commitment to strengthening stable economic partnerships among our countries through rules-based, fair, open, equitable, and sustainable trade. We recall our commitment at the WTO to accelerate discussion(s) with the view to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all Members by 2024.

10. We underline the importance of addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by international human mobility, understanding that when managed, effectively and comprehensively, it can significantly contribute to development. The country members of MIKTA aspire to lead by example in building a more humane, fair and effective global framework for migration management.

11. We reaffirm our commitment to encourage international cooperation and dialogue among countries of origin, transit, and destination to address the migration phenomenon from a comprehensive perspective, creating strategies that promote safe, orderly, and regular migration.

12. We acknowledge that each region may have unique situations, and we will consider these differences when creating our strategies. Furthermore, we will ensure that our efforts align with the national legal framework of each state, with full respect the human rights of migrants, regardless of their status.

13. There was a discussion over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population. Most members underscored the obligation under international law, including international humanitarian law, for the protection of civilians and demanded for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and humanitarian access as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Other members called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and urged Israel to fully comply with the orders of the International Court of Justice. The members called for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by peaceful means, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and in accordance with international law, and on the basis of the two-State solution.

14. We also express our deep concern regarding the recent events in the Middle East and call on all parties to exercise self-restraint to avoid escalating a conflict of violence that could have unpredictable consequences throughout the region and beyond. Consistent with the Charter of the United Nations, we reiterate our rejection of the use of force in international relations.

15. We reiterate our commitment to the principle of inviolability of diplomatic premises and staff, in accordance with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.

16. There was a discussion regarding the dire humanitarian consequences of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, which some members defined as an aggression. Regarding the conflict, all members reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and called for a cessation of hostilities and further diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Other members underscored the need for peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

17. We express grave concern over the launch of ballistic missiles, and usage of ballistic missile technology and unlawful arms transfers, by the DPRK. The recent surge in the DPRK’s intercontinental ballistic missile testing and ballistic missile launches and resulting tensions in the Korean Peninsula are a worrisome development that threatens peace and stability in the region. We reiterate our commitment to the full implementation of all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. We note international efforts to bring about the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation of the DPRK in a peaceful manner.

18. We welcome the efforts of the international community to pursue lasting peace and call for the intensification of these efforts in line with the principles of sovereign equality among the parties involved.

19. We pledge, as Speakers of Parliaments, to promote the peaceful resolution of disputes within our capabilities in accordance with international law.

20. We agree that the shared parliamentary experiences and the rich debate of this 10th Speakers’ Conference are great inputs to address the issues discussed within our parliamentary process. In this regard, we agree with Mexico’s proposal to schedule a recurring informal hold, as appropriate, consultative meetings between the Heads of Delegation of MIKTA countries, including young and woman Members of Parliaments, on the margins of the two annual meetings of the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to exchange opinions on the matters discussed in the Assembly and follow up to the agreements of the last Speakers’ Consultations.

21. We express our gratitude and recognition to the Mexican Chamber of Deputies for its leadership in presiding over the proceedings of this Consultation and for organizing a pleasant stay where the bonds of friendship among each of the MIKTA parliaments were reaffirmed. Equally, we look forward to continuing to work closely under the leadership of the National Assembly of Korea in the next edition of the Consultation.