CAPE TOWN - National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been appointed to the task force of the world association of parliaments to mediate on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Her appointment comes after a virtual meeting between herself and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) president Duarte Pacheco, in which a formal invitation was made for her to form part of the global legislative effort to, through dialogue, promote mediation and diplomacy, and bring about a peaceful resolution to the current situation.
The IPU is a global organisation of national parliaments that facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development worldwide.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict formed part of the IPU’s emergency items debated in detail in the high-level segment of the meetings during its 144th Assembly recently held in Indonesia between March 19 and 24.
The task force will be led by the Speaker of the United Arab Emirates, who also serves as deputy president of the IPU.
Mapisa-Nqakula will also be representing the African Geopolitical Group in the task force.
“During the recent IPU Assembly in Bali, the South African Parliament's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict was that world parliaments must actively seek peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue, mediation and diplomacy. The Speaker has since conferred with President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the appointment, and the President has expressed support and wished her well in her role.
“The Speakers' Forum, a structure of Presiding Officers of Parliament and Speakers of the nine Provincial Legislatures, which met for its regular meeting today (Wednesday) in Pretoria, also wished Ms Mapisa-Nqakula well in her responsibilities,” said Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo.
Cape Times