Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Tuesday 25 August

Speakers gather to promote global peace and democracy

Next week the New Zealand Speaker, Rt Hon David Carter, will join more than 130 fellow Speakers at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers being held at the United Nations in New York. This unique forum is part of a series of high-level meetings leading up to the United Nations Summit in September and the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The seventeen goals, which underpin the post-2015 Development Agenda, focus attention on what needs to be done globally to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.

The conference is an opportunity for the Speaker to assert New Zealand’s and the Pacific Region’s perspectives and priorities on a global stage. This includes promoting international cooperation and sharing of our democratic values.

“Speakers are well placed to advocate for democratic ideals of transparency, accountability and oversight, as we lead the institutions of parliament that are central to democratic governance,” said David Carter.

As well as discussing the role of parliaments in implementing the SDGs, the Speaker will present one of the key reports on the challenges and opportunities faced by parliaments.

“There is great diversity in our Parliaments and differences between developed and developing countries. Coming together, as we reflect on a new development agenda to end poverty in all its forms, reminds us of the tremendous but not insurmountable challenges that we face,” said David Carter.

“I recognise the challenges that smaller and developing democracies have and I see that the institutional capacity of the stronger more established parliaments must be made available and shared with these countries. We have a responsibility to work with our neighbours, in our case in the Pacific region. For this reason, I am also bringing together attending Pacific Speakers during the conference.”

The World Conference of Speakers takes place from 31 August to 2 September. The final meeting of the preparatory committee, of which the Speaker is a member, will take place on 30 August.

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1508/Office_of_the_Speaker_Press_Release_1_World_Conference_of_Speakers.pdf

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