PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker Farrugia calls for stronger parliamentary action to advance peace and justice in Istanbul at the IPU Assembly

Addressing the 152^nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Istanbul, Speaker Anġlu Farrugia delivered a clear and urgent message as global commitments to peace, justice, and human dignity must now be matched by concrete action.

During the general debate with the theme “Nurturing hope, securing peace and ensuring justice for future generations," Speaker Farrugia emphasised that while the international community has long championed these values, too many people around the world continue to suffer due to a persistent gap between commitments and implementation.

Speaker Farrugia underscored that peace cannot rest on indifference, and justice cannot be selective while emphasising Malta's enduring commitment to multilateralism, international law, and the dignity of every human person. Highlighting Malta's perspective as a Mediterranean nation, the address reaffirmed support for a rules-based international order, strengthened multilateral cooperation, and a just and lasting resolution to ongoing conflicts, including through continued backing of the Two-State Solution.

Speaker Farrugia focused on the critical role of parliaments in advancing peace and accountability. Parliaments, he stressed, must move beyond declarations and actively shape outcomes through legislation, oversight, and democratic scrutiny.

While acknowledging progress in promoting humanitarian principles and parliamentary diplomacy, Speaker Farrugia warned that efforts remain insufficient. International humanitarian law continues to be too often upheld in principle but neglected in practice, with civilians bearing the consequences.

Concluding the address, the Speaker called for renewed courage and accountability in public life, stressing that peace must be actively built and justice consistently upheld. Parliaments must not only express the hopes of humanity, Speaker Farrugia concluded, but demonstrate their ability to advance them. He reaffirmed Malta's commitment to continue supporting peace through dialogue, defending the rule of law, and promoting multilateral cooperation, while insisting that the true work begins when international declarations are implemented in practice.

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