Events

8 Sep 2022

Belarus attends Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in Uzbekistan

Photo courtesy of the Council of the Republic press service

MINSK, 8 September (BelTA) - Chairwoman of the Standing Commission on Economy, Budget and Finance of the Council of the Republic Tatiana Runets and member of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security Yekaterina Serafinovich are taking part in the 14th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in Tashkent on 8-9 September. The event has been organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (Supreme Assembly) of Uzbekistan, BelTA learned from the press service of the upper house of parliament.

The summit has brought together women in top leadership positions in parliament to shape the parliamentary agenda on the basis of emerging political, economic and social changes that require unified and gender-sensitive solutions. It offers a platform for women leaders to network and exchange views and experiences on current issues on the international and national agenda.

The theme of the summit is Parliamentary Leadership: Anticipating Risks to Better Deliver Sustainability and Prosperity. Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a welcome address to the summit participants. Chairwoman of the Senate of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Duarte Pacheco addressed the event as well.

During the summit the MPs exchanged views and shared their experience on such relevant issues of the international agenda as addressing risks in the process of global post-pandemic recovery, prevention of threats related to technology, protection of human rights and gender equality in the world of technology and others. Women speakers from Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, and Slovenia participated as keynote speakers in the discussion sessions.

“Looking back, we can confidently say today that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how it can slow down global political processes and provoke new crises. I am proud to note that the model of response and support chosen by Belarus - without the introduction of total bans, lockdowns and quarantine measures - has proven effective. A sustainable recovery after the pandemic will largely depend on international cooperation and solidarity of states, and above all on the existence of a fair, open and transparent trade system without economic sanctions, pressure and interference in internal affairs,” stressed Tatiana Runets.

“The coronavirus pandemic has made the whole world aware of the importance of digitalization processes and has accelerated the reorganization of human life into a new digital way of life. In today's reality, the internet is an essential element of modern life. However, its rapid development opens up great opportunities not only for progress but also for the use of technology for criminal purposes. This is the fact that is behind the outburst of the so-called information and hybrid wars, campaigns of disinformation and incitement to hatred. Today there is an urgent need to develop a clear international legal framework in information security. Its development will contribute, among other things, to the effective counteraction to disinformation and incitement to hatred both online and offline,” said Yekaterina Serafinovich.

The 14th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament is held as part of the tenth anniversary of the IPU Plan of Action for Gender-sensitive Parliaments. A special segment of the event provided an opportunity to reflect on whether parliaments have become more gender-sensitive, more inclusive, more effective, and stronger institutions that can now better ensure sustainability and prosperity for all.

“The women's agenda is at the center of the Belarusian state's attention. The implementation of gender policy in the country is based on respect for national interests, taking into account universally recognized principles of international law and human rights, as well as supporting traditional values and cultural foundations of Belarusian society. We are convinced that eradication of gender inequality is one of the priority tasks and a guide on the way to progress and prosperity. Parliaments play a major role in achieving this goal at the global and national levels,” Tatiana Runets added.