Paris, France: Tulia Acson, President of the Tanzanian Parliament and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has commended Cambodia for its significant progress and for its active engagement within the IPU. She expressed confidence that Cambodia is on the correct trajectory towards ensuring a brighter future for its citizens and the nation at large.
The commendations were made during a bilateral meeting in Paris, where Khuon Sodary, President of the Cambodian National Assembly, met with Tulia Acson on the afternoon of March 6, 2024. This meeting was a segment of the official visit and participation in the Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in the French Republic.
The discussions between the two leaders included an exchange of views on the current regional and international climate, focusing on the relationship between Cambodia and Tanzania and collaboration within the IPU framework. Both parties concurred that the world is navigating through a period marked by volatility, heightened risks, and a decline in global governance and multilateralism unprecedented since World War II, amidst intensifying superpower rivalries and climatic challenges.
In such a landscape, parliamentary diplomacy was highlighted as a crucial tool for fostering peace through effective conflict management and prevention. They agreed that the aspirations of the people for peace and development must be at the heart of their efforts. Additionally, Sodary voiced her support for Acson's leadership within the IPU.
The Cambodian Parliament presented five proposals aimed at bolstering bilateral and multilateral relations. These included enhancing cooperation for peacebuilding, sustainable development, and gender equality; fostering ties between ASEAN and the African Union; advocating for a multilateral system rooted in international law amidst geopolitical and economic fragmentation; exploring economic collaboration, notably within the green and digital economy sectors; and reinforcing cooperation in the digitalization of parliamentary processes.
Acson, in response, endorsed Cambodia's stance and committed to fostering closer ties between the two parliaments by initiating a bilateral friendship group, marking a new chapter in cooperation across both the public and private sectors. She also expressed the Tanzanian parliament's eagerness to share insights on digital parliamentary development, social security, and increasing women's political participation, emphasizing the critical role of women in crafting global solutions.
Furthermore, Acson extended an invitation to Sodary to visit Tanzania at a convenient time, aiming to strengthen and expand the parliamentary and people-to-people relationships between the two nations.
