Parliament of South Africa
Parliament of South Africa
04/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/20/2026 14:49
Media Statement: South African Delegation Contributes To Key Outcomes on Peacebuilding and Development at IPU Assembly
Please find below audio and video clips by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza:
AUDIO LINK: https://iono.fm/publish/1216/podcasting
VIDEO LINK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15SyJnkHffdg8zTFFMMKDx84ZQQ8U3Ybb/view?usp=drivesdk
Istanbul, Türkiye, 20 April 2026 - The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, on Monday described South Africa's participation and impact at the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly as a resounding success in advancing the country's international priorities.
Participating in the proceedings, the South African parliamentary delegation supported an emergency item on peacebuilding in the Middle East and secured support for key amendments to draft resolutions. The delegation also contributed to the adoption of the Istanbul Declaration at the Assembly, which was held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 15 to 19 April 2026. The Speaker led a multi-party parliamentary delegation to the Assembly, which was convened under the theme "Nurturing hope, securing peace and ensuring justice for future generations", and provided a platform for dialogue on global challenges.
Ms Didiza emphasised the importance of cooperation and stressed that sustainable peace requires inclusive engagement and collective action, particularly through the meaningful participation of young people. "South Africa's participation in this Assembly reflects our commitment to multilateralism, inclusive dialogue and collective action in addressing global challenges. We are encouraged by the strong engagement of our delegation and the meaningful contributions made across committees and forums in furthering peace, justice and sustainable development," said the Speaker.
The delegation supported an emergency item on "The urgent need for concerted parliamentary efforts to preserve ceasefires and support peacebuilding in the Middle East and other regions". The Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Les Govender, presented the item to the Assembly. The delegation reaffirmed South Africa's position on respect for international humanitarian law, the protection of civilian lives, the need for unhindered humanitarian access and the role of dialogue and multilateral engagement in resolving conflicts and furthering sustainable peace.
On Sunday, the Assembly adopted the Istanbul Declaration, which gives effect to its theme. The declaration outlines commitments for parliamentary action, including strengthening democracy, advancing inclusive governance, responding to global inequalities, strengthening sustainable development and promoting parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation. The declaration further affirms the commitment of member parliaments to translate these priorities into concrete legislative, oversight and budgetary measures to promote peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
The delegation also participated in a symposium on maternal, child and adolescent health, where it shared South Africa's post-1994 policy advances in expanding access to public healthcare. At the symposium, the delegation called for increased focus on adolescent health and improved health financing. Members also contributed to discussions in the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, where issues relating to gender equality, youth participation and barriers to political inclusion were discussed.
In the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Mr Mikateko Mahlaule, who is a Member of the National Assembly, presented South Africa's position in support of the resolution on building a fair and sustainable global economy. He emphasised the role of parliaments in facilitating equitable taxation, strengthening oversight of trade agreements and confronting challenges such as protectionism, corporate tax avoidance and inequality. In the Standing Committee on Peace and International Relations, Ms Dorries Mpapane, also a Member of the National Assembly, reaffirmed South Africa's support for strengthening post-conflict governance and peacebuilding. She highlighted the importance of inclusive processes, accountability and the meaningful participation of women, youth and affected communities in building sustainable peace.
The Speaker commended the delegation for their participation and contributions in plenary sittings, committees and forums, noting that the Assembly reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism, parliamentary cooperation and collective action in confronting global challenges. "We return with strengthened partnerships and a renewed commitment to advancing South Africa's legislative, oversight and diplomatic priorities on the global stage," said Speaker Didiza.
Speaker Didiza also welcomed and congratulated Ms Anda Filip on her election as the ninth Secretary-General of the IPU. The Speaker noted the historic significance of this appointment as she is the first woman to hold the position in the organisation's 137-year history. Ms Didiza said that Ms Filip, who will succeed Mr Martin Chungong at the end of his term on 30 June 2026, brings over two decades of experience within the IPU, including her service as Director for Member Parliaments and External Relations since 2011. All the shortlisted candidates were women. Speaker Didiza said this reinforces the importance of advancing gender parity in international leadership.
*The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments that facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development worldwide. Founded in 1889, the IPU brings together 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
AUDIO LINK: https://iono.fm/publish/1216/podcasting
VIDEO LINK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15SyJnkHffdg8zTFFMMKDx84ZQQ8U3Ybb/view?usp=drivesdk
Istanbul, Türkiye, 20 April 2026 - The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, on Monday described South Africa's participation and impact at the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly as a resounding success in advancing the country's international priorities.
Participating in the proceedings, the South African parliamentary delegation supported an emergency item on peacebuilding in the Middle East and secured support for key amendments to draft resolutions. The delegation also contributed to the adoption of the Istanbul Declaration at the Assembly, which was held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 15 to 19 April 2026. The Speaker led a multi-party parliamentary delegation to the Assembly, which was convened under the theme "Nurturing hope, securing peace and ensuring justice for future generations", and provided a platform for dialogue on global challenges.
Ms Didiza emphasised the importance of cooperation and stressed that sustainable peace requires inclusive engagement and collective action, particularly through the meaningful participation of young people. "South Africa's participation in this Assembly reflects our commitment to multilateralism, inclusive dialogue and collective action in addressing global challenges. We are encouraged by the strong engagement of our delegation and the meaningful contributions made across committees and forums in furthering peace, justice and sustainable development," said the Speaker.
The delegation supported an emergency item on "The urgent need for concerted parliamentary efforts to preserve ceasefires and support peacebuilding in the Middle East and other regions". The Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Les Govender, presented the item to the Assembly. The delegation reaffirmed South Africa's position on respect for international humanitarian law, the protection of civilian lives, the need for unhindered humanitarian access and the role of dialogue and multilateral engagement in resolving conflicts and furthering sustainable peace.
On Sunday, the Assembly adopted the Istanbul Declaration, which gives effect to its theme. The declaration outlines commitments for parliamentary action, including strengthening democracy, advancing inclusive governance, responding to global inequalities, strengthening sustainable development and promoting parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation. The declaration further affirms the commitment of member parliaments to translate these priorities into concrete legislative, oversight and budgetary measures to promote peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
The delegation also participated in a symposium on maternal, child and adolescent health, where it shared South Africa's post-1994 policy advances in expanding access to public healthcare. At the symposium, the delegation called for increased focus on adolescent health and improved health financing. Members also contributed to discussions in the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, where issues relating to gender equality, youth participation and barriers to political inclusion were discussed.
In the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Mr Mikateko Mahlaule, who is a Member of the National Assembly, presented South Africa's position in support of the resolution on building a fair and sustainable global economy. He emphasised the role of parliaments in facilitating equitable taxation, strengthening oversight of trade agreements and confronting challenges such as protectionism, corporate tax avoidance and inequality. In the Standing Committee on Peace and International Relations, Ms Dorries Mpapane, also a Member of the National Assembly, reaffirmed South Africa's support for strengthening post-conflict governance and peacebuilding. She highlighted the importance of inclusive processes, accountability and the meaningful participation of women, youth and affected communities in building sustainable peace.
The Speaker commended the delegation for their participation and contributions in plenary sittings, committees and forums, noting that the Assembly reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism, parliamentary cooperation and collective action in confronting global challenges. "We return with strengthened partnerships and a renewed commitment to advancing South Africa's legislative, oversight and diplomatic priorities on the global stage," said Speaker Didiza.
Speaker Didiza also welcomed and congratulated Ms Anda Filip on her election as the ninth Secretary-General of the IPU. The Speaker noted the historic significance of this appointment as she is the first woman to hold the position in the organisation's 137-year history. Ms Didiza said that Ms Filip, who will succeed Mr Martin Chungong at the end of his term on 30 June 2026, brings over two decades of experience within the IPU, including her service as Director for Member Parliaments and External Relations since 2011. All the shortlisted candidates were women. Speaker Didiza said this reinforces the importance of advancing gender parity in international leadership.
*The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments that facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development worldwide. Founded in 1889, the IPU brings together 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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