Africa-Press – Mauritius. An exchange and capacity-building seminar on parliamentary diplomacy, conflict prevention, management and resolution for members of the Association of Parliaments of Member States of the Indian Ocean Commission (AP-IOC) is being organised from 10 to 11 October 2023 in Mauritius.
The opening ceremony was held, this morning, in the presence of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Sooroojdev Phokeer, and the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Professor Vêlayoudom Marimoutou, at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, in Port-Louis.
Several Members of Parliament were also present. The seminar is an initiative of the National Assembly in collaboration with the AP-IOC and is part of the Governance, Peace and Stability (GPS) Project funded by the Agence Française de Développement.
The aim is to support the IOC in the implementation of the project by strengthening its team and capacities to fully assume advocacy, coordination and sustainability for greater governance, peace and stability in the region.
In his address, Mr Phokeer, underlined that the AP-IOC would be called upon to play an active role in promoting political stability, good governance, the rule of law and the entrenchment of a democratic culture.
“The seminar,” he stated, “will serve as a useful forum for establishing political dialogue among Member States, deepening democracy and promoting regional cooperation.
“Our nations share many challenges and opportunities with regard to maritime security, environmental preservation, trade and economic development”, he stated.
“Parliamentary diplomacy thus has an important role to play in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts,” added the Speaker.
He stressed that parliamentary diplomacy was an essential pillar of national, regional and international diplomacy, and Parliamentarians played a central role in representing the interests of citizens and promoting peace, stability and the well-being of populations.
He urged Member States to work together to prevent problems and resolve conflicts, adding that it required a deep understanding of conflict mechanisms, as well as skills in mediation, negotiation and diplomacy.
With regard to the seminar, Mr Phokeer indicated that it was an opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices in parliamentary diplomacy, discuss methods of conflict prevention and crisis management, and develop strategies to strengthen collaboration between Parliaments in the region.
He expressed gratitude to the IOC while highlighting that the seminar would also foster reflection among Organisations such as the Pan-African Parliament, Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, and Inter-Parliamentary Union.
He moreover stressed the importance of the AP-IOC to be involved in dialogue and brainstorming activities in the context of the electoral processes of its Member States.
For his part, Professor Marimoutou underscored that it was crucial to reinforce dialogue and synergy among Member States of the IOC for greater development and involvement of the Organisation on the international front.
He dwelt on the increasing role of Parliamentarians in dealing with issues concerning international relations and fostering diplomacy. “The IOC,” he pointed out, “acts as a facilitator in the GPS project and is doing everything to promote regional initiatives for the promotion of peace and rule of law and democracy.”
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