Africa-Press – Mozambique. Parliamentary Speaker Esperança Bias asked in Bologna, Italy, yesterday for support for Mozambique’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2023/2024 mandate.
Esperança Bias was speaking at the high level panel on “The Role of Parliamentarians in Reinforcing Interfaith Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace” , at a focus session on Parliamentarians held with the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GFTP). at the G20 Interfaith Forum 2021, held between Sunday and Tuesday in Italy.
Bias noted that Mozambique’s candidacy, the only one from an African country, was already endorsed by the African Union (AU), by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), by the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), and had the sympathy of countries of Africa, of the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
According to the president of the Assembly of the Republic, Mozambique hopes to contribute to the Security Council its experience in promoting international peace and security, as well as in burning issues on the global agenda.
Elections to choose the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council will take place in New York in June of next year.
Bias indicated that the United Nations defines as one element favouring international peace and security the need for inter-religious harmony, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding as one of the dimensions of the culture of peace.
“Mozambican parliamentarians have participated in the forums of the Inter-Religious Alliance for Advocacy and Social Development, a network of organizations which, through faith, have influenced and encouraged citizen participation in decision-making bodies and in the country’s development,” Bias said, adding that the Mozambican state recognises and values religious activity.
Bias clarified that religious practice was important in creating a climate of understanding, tolerance and peace, contributing to the consolidation of national unity and promoting well-being, adding that public consultation on the Law on Religious Freedom and Worship had been initiated in Mozambique.
“This process shows concern to create adequate conditions for the functioning of religious denominations in the country. Our religious and cultural diversity is a unifying factor for all Mozambicans and makes Mozambique a wonderful nation and contributes to national unity,” the president of the Mozambican parliament stressed.
Between the scheduled plenary sessions and thematic debates, round tables and workshops at the Bologna meeting, which ends this Tuesday, discussions will take place on priority issues, including the role of religions in overcoming economic and gender inequalities in the face of international crisis caused by Covid-19, respecting the environment, promoting education and supporting human rights.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of #Bologna:
“As human beings we know that loving God means loving another. One person’s suffering belongs to all of us, and that understanding has to be applied to our individual choices. Only by protecting the one are we all protected.”#G20Interfaith pic.twitter.com/WpcHGyXS3n
— IF20 (@IF20org) September 14, 2021
