Story by ZBC Reporter
PRESIDENT of the Senate, Honourable Mabel Chinomona, presented Zimbabwe’s position on inclusive peacebuilding ahead of the official opening of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Wednesday evening.
Hon Chinomona delivered Zimbabwe’s remarks during the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, held prior to the official opening, where she emphasised that sustainable peace extends beyond ending conflicts and requires inclusive participation.
“Lasting peace is not achieved by ending conflict alone, but by justice, inclusion and the meaningful participation of often excluded voices, especially women and youth,” she said.
She further highlighted the critical role of women in peace processes, warning that their exclusion weakens recovery and stability.
“Women and girls are not only beneficiaries of peace but essential architects of it,” she added.
Hon Chinomona also outlined Zimbabwe’s efforts to strengthen peacebuilding through legislative frameworks, including the implementation of the Zimbabwe National Gender Policy (2025-2030) and the National Development Strategy 2 (2026-2030).
The 152nd IPU Assembly, which runs until April 19, was officially opened by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Numan Kurtulmuş, with multipolarism and parliamentary diplomacy dominating discussions amid rising global tensions.
The Assembly recorded a historic turnout of 2 500 delegates, including 80 Speakers of Parliament, highlighting the growing role of legislatures in addressing global conflicts.
During the inaugural ceremony, outgoing IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong commended member parliaments for record attendance and urged delegates to prioritise justice for future generations.
He called on legislators to “seize the moment and speak boldly on current geopolitical tensions” through the adoption of a robust emergency item.
In a recorded message, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, highlighted rising geopolitical tensions and growing global inequalities, urging dialogue and respect for international law.
Also addressing delegates, IPU President Tulia Ackson stressed the importance of inclusion and diplomacy.
She called on parliaments to “choose dialogue over war” and ensure people are adequately represented in governance processes.
