Oman calls for joint efforts for sustainable development goals

The leader of Oman's parliament said here Monday that it is necessary that people join hands more than any other time around the millennium development goals.

Khalid Hilal Al Ma'awali, chairman of the consultative council of Oman, made the remarks in a speech during the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament taking place in New York from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.

He emphasized that the role of the national parliaments and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) should be more effective with regard to the formulation of sustainable development goals for the coming period.

"They also should organize their priorities to conform with the recent conflicts, disasters and crises in our world," he added.

The millennium declaration agreed by all states has highlighted the role of parliaments and IPU in "strengthening further cooperation between the United Nations and the national parliaments...in various fields," he said.

"Therefore, this leads us to shoulder hard duties which require exceptional efforts to enhance the culture of addressing crises and conflicts among countries and communities regardless of their origins and reasons through peaceful means based on dialogue."

It also requires consolidation of democratic principles and the rule of law and orientation of social economic policies to contribute to materializing the millennium development goals through legislative and oversight competences of parliaments as well as endorsement of development plans and programs, the chairman added.

A draft declaration, titled "Placing democracy at the service of peace and sustainable development: Building the world the people want", is expected to be adopted at the conference.

Moreover, special emphasis will be placed on achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to be adopted at a UN Summit in September.

The World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is organized by IPU every five years and supported by the UN.

The IPU, established in 1889, is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.

Source: XINHUA