If elected, I will spare no efforts in engaging more actively with representatives of national parliaments and the IPU on issues that require a full synergy between the international, regional and national level and whenever special measures on national level should be negotiated and implemented. Strong relationship and cooperation between the United Nations, the national parliaments and the IPU is essential as it involves locally elected officials in international decisions in all issues of peace and security, sustainable development, democracy, gender equality and human rights.

Relationships between the UN and Parliaments can take many positive forms. UNDP, for example, works closely with the IPU, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and other groups of parliamentarians. At country level we work with dozens of parliaments to support building their capacity and provide information on issues development-related issues like the SDGs and climate change.

The National Parliaments are important partners of the United Nations in the pursuit of peace and security, sustainable economic and social development, and human rights.  The parliamentarians can help Governments translate SDGs into national policy areas. At the same time, Parliaments could catalyze the necessary resources in order to ensure appropriate implementation of the SDGs.  National Parliaments continue to remain the best platforms, also regionally and globally, for monitoring and reviewing progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  IPU is best suited to ensure interaction between the implementing efforts of the National Parliaments and similar UN structures.

As a parliamentarian for many years earlier in my political career, I cannot overstate the value of the indispensable role played by Parliaments. As Secretary-General of the United Nations  and mindful of the intergovernmental nature of the Organization I would, if elected, endeavor to ensure that in matters under my purview, all relevant measures foreseen in GA resolutions aimed at strengthening the relationship between the UN and national parliaments are duly implemented, building on the important acquis of the UN-IPU relationship.

During my time in government, I paid official visits to over 100 countries.  As UN Secretary-General, I would be equally energetic in engaging with Member States to understand how the UN could better serve them.  National parliaments should work closely with UN Resident Coordinators to pass legislation that supports UN efforts on peace and security, development, and human rights.  Additionally, when making senior-level UN appointments, I would seek input from parliaments of underrepresented countries.

If elected UN Secretary General I would:

1. Address parliaments on crucial and substantial issues pertaining to the UN Agenda
2. Carry out extensive consultations with parliamentarians on national, regional, and global level during the preparation of important UN policy measures
3. Cooperate with IPU and exchange views, as part and parcel, in this process of involving stakeholders in the implementation of vital issues and policies

There are a great number of issues where UN and IPU could engage in a closer dialogue and actively support each other. Continued poverty eradication and sustainable development, including climate change will require a multi-stakeholder engagement that includes national parliaments as well. Other important issues that come to mind are empowerment of women or the youth agenda, but also conflict prevention and peacebuilding. I would support a substantive interaction of the UN with national parliaments.

I would strongly encourage and, at the UNCTs level, ask for better participation of parliamentarians in UN programming processes, particularly those that assume active engagement in the development and implementation of laws, policies and practices that promote democracy and good governance, as well as within the negotiation processes on different global issues, I would call for better representation of parliaments within the countries’ delegation, and strengthen consultation on regular basis (including GA and ECOSOC) and at the regional level (including Regional Economic Commissions).

I would take all necessary action to further develop the channels of cooperation and involvement of national parliaments in UN processes. This would require the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union to work even more closely on the integration of parliaments in the creation and implementation of UN goals and agendas. I would also make sure that the UN gets more involved in promoting and strengthening parliaments globally as the first and last line of defense of the values UN stands for.

Over time, the UN and the IPU have developed a deep and productive cooperation. I worked closely with IPU when I was the UN as Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs (2000-2005). Our cooperation has to be strengthened further through regular consultations to the point of establishment of a permanent parliamentary body based on the platform of IPU and as part of the UN system.