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To mobilize global leaders to increase the scale and scope of funding for gender equality commitments, UN Women, together with the Permanent Missions of Mexico and Sweden, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Women’s Working Group on Financing for Development, co-hosted a side event on “Transformative financing for gender equality and women’s empowerment: Expectations from the Financing for Development process” on 16 April in New York.

The side event was timed as Member States met for a second time to consult and work out the outcome document of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July of this year. The much-anticipated meeting is an historic opportunity to endorse a comprehensive global financing framework for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Financing will furthermore be central to implementing and achieving all of the proposed sustainable development goals. Therefore, the negotiated outcome adopted in July will play an instrumental role in paving the way for an ambitious new post-2015 development agenda, which will be cemented at a high-level summit in September.

“The ambitions of the post-2015 development agenda will only be met if we can achieve transformative financing, both in scale and scope, from all sources and at all levels,” stressed UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, in her opening address. “This must be reflected in a strong call to action that will galvanize support to finance new and existing gender equality commitments in all countries, at all levels of development and in all situations.”

The side event, therefore, brought together governments, donors, civil society and private sector representatives to share evidence and lessons learned in support of investing in gender equality and women’s empowerment and to strategize jointly about specific priorities and recommendations for the global financing framework.

“We need to examine changes in the way funding is allocated, and how much more we, as countries, can allocate,” said H.E. Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates. “We need to realize that supporting gender equality and women empowerment and recognizing that helping countries overseas impacts and benefits our own nations too. […] We have fallen short on many pledges. It is now critical that we raise commitments and the diversity of funding resources and to direct these where they are needed the most.”

Also speaking on the panel, the Permanent Representative of Brazil stressed the importance of promoting gender equality for reducing inequality overall, while the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia emphasized the need to find ways to use private sector finance as a resource.

Development experts have long pointed to a chronic underinvestment in gender equality. According to OECD data, only 2 per cent of bilateral aid going to women’s economic empowerment in 2013 targeted gender equality as a principal objective, and commitments in this area as a share of total bilateral aid to economic and productive sectors have remained flat since 2007/2008.

This year, in the Political Declaration of the 59th UN Commission on the Status of Women, States pledged to take concrete actions to ensure the full, effective and accelerated implementation of the Platform through significantly increased investments to close the resource gaps which hinder the achievement of gender equality. However, embracing this commitment will require unprecedented levels of financing and robust partnerships. So the global push is on to ensure real commitments ­­– not only at the political level but through dedicated funding.

“We need to dig deeper into the idea of transformative financing,” said Nicole Bidegain, a civil society representative of the Women’s Working Group on Financing for Development, in her closing remarks. She called for progressive taxation and investment in social protection floors, emphasis on women’s economic rights, and a stronger focus on systemic issues. “We need to bring this to reality, with a commitment in scale and scope, and to deliver dedicated resources in all sectors.”

To mobilize global leaders to increase the scale and scope of funding for gender equality commitments, UN Women, together with the Permanent Missions of Mexico and Sweden, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Women’s Working Group on Financing for Development, co-hosted a side event on “Transformative financing for gender equality and women’s empowerment: Expectations from the Financing for Development process” on 16 April in New York.

The side event was timed as Member States met for a second time to consult and work out the outcome document of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July of this year. The much-anticipated meeting is an historic opportunity to endorse a comprehensive global financing framework for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Financing will furthermore be central to implementing and achieving all of the proposed sustainable development goals. Therefore, the negotiated outcome adopted in July will play an instrumental role in paving the way for an ambitious new post-2015 development agenda, which will be cemented at a high-level summit in September.

“The ambitions of the post-2015 development agenda will only be met if we can achieve transformative financing, both in scale and scope, from all sources and at all levels,” stressed UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, in her opening address. “This must be reflected in a strong call to action that will galvanize support to finance new and existing gender equality commitments in all countries, at all levels of development and in all situations.”

The side event, therefore, brought together governments, donors, civil society and private sector representatives to share evidence and lessons learned in support of investing in gender equality and women’s empowerment and to strategize jointly about specific priorities and recommendations for the global financing framework.

“We need to examine changes in the way funding is allocated, and how much more we, as countries, can allocate,” said H.E. Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates. “We need to realize that supporting gender equality and women empowerment and recognizing that helping countries overseas impacts and benefits our own nations too. […] We have fallen short on many pledges. It is now critical that we raise commitments and the diversity of funding resources and to direct these where they are needed the most.”

Also speaking on the panel, the Permanent Representative of Brazil stressed the importance of promoting gender equality for reducing inequality overall, while the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia emphasized the need to find ways to use private sector finance as a resource.

Development experts have long pointed to a chronic underinvestment in gender equality. According to OECD data, only 2 per cent of bilateral aid going to women’s economic empowerment in 2013 targeted gender equality as a principal objective, and commitments in this area as a share of total bilateral aid to economic and productive sectors have remained flat since 2007/2008.

This year, in the Political Declaration of the 59th UN Commission on the Status of Women, States pledged to take concrete actions to ensure the full, effective and accelerated implementation of the Platform through significantly increased investments to close the resource gaps which hinder the achievement of gender equality. However, embracing this commitment will require unprecedented levels of financing and robust partnerships. So the global push is on to ensure real commitments ­­– not only at the political level but through dedicated funding.

“We need to dig deeper into the idea of transformative financing,” said Nicole Bidegain, a civil society representative of the Women’s Working Group on Financing for Development, in her closing remarks. She called for progressive taxation and investment in social protection floors, emphasis on women’s economic rights, and a stronger focus on systemic issues. “We need to bring this to reality, with a commitment in scale and scope, and to deliver dedicated resources in all sectors.”

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

UNDP has been providing training to 25 aspiring women, offering information on advocacy and lobbying tools, and also a chance to network. 

To listen to Julie Bukikkun, UNDP Assistant Representative for Governance in UNDP PNG Country Office, speaking on ABC Radio Australia about how and why women should be more involved in leadership and policy-making please click here.

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have committed to taking the necessary action to carry forward proposed new sustainable development goals (SDGs) due to be adopted later this year. The success of the SDGs would transform the world and the lives of its people.
 
Parliaments from across the world reaffirmed their vision of sustainable development based on human rights, poverty eradication, peace and security in the Hanoi Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the five-day 132^nd IPU Assembly in the Vietnamese capital.
 
Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, IPU Members committed to translating them into enforceable domestic laws, to hold governments to account, and pledged to align budgets with national sustainable development plans.
 
The Hanoi Declaration, the result of a debate on The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, highlighted the need for institutions such as parliaments, and decision-making processes to be strengthened so they are fit for purpose in realizing the new SDGs.
 
In a decision-laden 132^nd Assembly hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly, IPU adopted several resolutions that could impact on global peace and security.
 
National parliaments are being called to implement international treaties and resolutions on water management and the human right to water and sanitation through laws and budget allocations.
 
With water scarcity already affecting one in every three people on the planet and in the absence of effective management of this critical resource, two thirds of the world’s population will be facing water shortages by 2025. Urbanization, population growth, climate change and environmental degradation are just some of the many factors putting enormous stress on water supplies around the world.
 
The IPU resolution calls on parliaments to advocate a dedicated and comprehensive water and sanitation goal in the new SDGs as access to clean water and sanitation remains part of the “unfinished business” of the Millennium Development Goals. Nearly 750 million people lack access to cleaner water and 2.5 billion are without improved sanitation.
 
Effective water governance is also required to make sure conflicts between communities and States are avoided.
 
IPU Members also identified a comprehensive series of measures to counter the growing threat of cyber warfare to peace and global security, whilst acknowledging the need to strike a balance between security concerns and the respect for privacy and e-development priorities.
 
Among actions to be taken was for States to ensure the law of armed conflict applied to cyber warfare; for parliaments to work with government branches and civil society to develop a cyber security strategy and for national laws and regulations to ensure cyber technology is not used to foment international conflict or provide perpetrators with immunity and safe haven. The resolution also suggested defining an international convention that would provide a unified position on preventing cyber warfare.
 
In a final resolution adopted by the 132^nd Assembly on international law on national sovereignty, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights, IPU Members reaffirmed a commitment to democracy and an equitable international order based on the rule of law.
 
Reiterating respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign States, the IPU resolution urged States to fulfil their obligations to promote, protect and safeguard human rights without discrimination.
 
Amongst other key outcomes during the Assembly was the decision to carry out a planned fact-finding parliamentary mission to Syria in the coming three months. An exploratory visit by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong took place in January this year.
 
Sixty-six parliaments and organizations also formally endorsed the Common Principles of Support to Parliament at a ceremony during the Assembly. The Common Principles aim to improve the quality of the support available to parliaments through better coordination, planning and design of parliamentary development programmes.

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have committed to taking the necessary action to carry forward proposed new sustainable development goals (SDGs) due to be adopted later this year. The success of the SDGs would transform the world and the lives of its people.
 
Parliaments from across the world reaffirmed their vision of sustainable development based on human rights, poverty eradication, peace and security in the Hanoi Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the five-day 132^nd IPU Assembly in the Vietnamese capital.
 
Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, IPU Members committed to translating them into enforceable domestic laws, to hold governments to account, and pledged to align budgets with national sustainable development plans.
 
The Hanoi Declaration, the result of a debate on The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, highlighted the need for institutions such as parliaments, and decision-making processes to be strengthened so they are fit for purpose in realizing the new SDGs.
 
In a decision-laden 132^nd Assembly hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly, IPU adopted several resolutions that could impact on global peace and security.
 
National parliaments are being called to implement international treaties and resolutions on water management and the human right to water and sanitation through laws and budget allocations.
 
With water scarcity already affecting one in every three people on the planet and in the absence of effective management of this critical resource, two thirds of the world’s population will be facing water shortages by 2025. Urbanization, population growth, climate change and environmental degradation are just some of the many factors putting enormous stress on water supplies around the world.
 
The IPU resolution calls on parliaments to advocate a dedicated and comprehensive water and sanitation goal in the new SDGs as access to clean water and sanitation remains part of the “unfinished business” of the Millennium Development Goals. Nearly 750 million people lack access to cleaner water and 2.5 billion are without improved sanitation.
 
Effective water governance is also required to make sure conflicts between communities and States are avoided.
 
IPU Members also identified a comprehensive series of measures to counter the growing threat of cyber warfare to peace and global security, whilst acknowledging the need to strike a balance between security concerns and the respect for privacy and e-development priorities.
 
Among actions to be taken was for States to ensure the law of armed conflict applied to cyber warfare; for parliaments to work with government branches and civil society to develop a cyber security strategy and for national laws and regulations to ensure cyber technology is not used to foment international conflict or provide perpetrators with immunity and safe haven. The resolution also suggested defining an international convention that would provide a unified position on preventing cyber warfare.
 
In a final resolution adopted by the 132^nd Assembly on international law on national sovereignty, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights, IPU Members reaffirmed a commitment to democracy and an equitable international order based on the rule of law.
 
Reiterating respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign States, the IPU resolution urged States to fulfil their obligations to promote, protect and safeguard human rights without discrimination.
 
Amongst other key outcomes during the Assembly was the decision to carry out a planned fact-finding parliamentary mission to Syria in the coming three months. An exploratory visit by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong took place in January this year.
 
Sixty-six parliaments and organizations also formally endorsed the Common Principles of Support to Parliament at a ceremony during the Assembly. The Common Principles aim to improve the quality of the support available to parliaments through better coordination, planning and design of parliamentary development programmes.

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have committed to taking the necessary action to carry forward proposed new sustainable development goals (SDGs) due to be adopted later this year. The success of the SDGs would transform the world and the lives of its people.
 
Parliaments from across the world reaffirmed their vision of sustainable development based on human rights, poverty eradication, peace and security in the Hanoi Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the five-day 132^nd IPU Assembly in the Vietnamese capital.
 
Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, IPU Members committed to translating them into enforceable domestic laws, to hold governments to account, and pledged to align budgets with national sustainable development plans.
 
The Hanoi Declaration, the result of a debate on The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, highlighted the need for institutions such as parliaments, and decision-making processes to be strengthened so they are fit for purpose in realizing the new SDGs.
 
In a decision-laden 132^nd Assembly hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly, IPU adopted several resolutions that could impact on global peace and security.
 
National parliaments are being called to implement international treaties and resolutions on water management and the human right to water and sanitation through laws and budget allocations.
 
With water scarcity already affecting one in every three people on the planet and in the absence of effective management of this critical resource, two thirds of the world’s population will be facing water shortages by 2025. Urbanization, population growth, climate change and environmental degradation are just some of the many factors putting enormous stress on water supplies around the world.
 
The IPU resolution calls on parliaments to advocate a dedicated and comprehensive water and sanitation goal in the new SDGs as access to clean water and sanitation remains part of the “unfinished business” of the Millennium Development Goals. Nearly 750 million people lack access to cleaner water and 2.5 billion are without improved sanitation.
 
Effective water governance is also required to make sure conflicts between communities and States are avoided.
 
IPU Members also identified a comprehensive series of measures to counter the growing threat of cyber warfare to peace and global security, whilst acknowledging the need to strike a balance between security concerns and the respect for privacy and e-development priorities.
 
Among actions to be taken was for States to ensure the law of armed conflict applied to cyber warfare; for parliaments to work with government branches and civil society to develop a cyber security strategy and for national laws and regulations to ensure cyber technology is not used to foment international conflict or provide perpetrators with immunity and safe haven. The resolution also suggested defining an international convention that would provide a unified position on preventing cyber warfare.
 
In a final resolution adopted by the 132^nd Assembly on international law on national sovereignty, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights, IPU Members reaffirmed a commitment to democracy and an equitable international order based on the rule of law.
 
Reiterating respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign States, the IPU resolution urged States to fulfil their obligations to promote, protect and safeguard human rights without discrimination.
 
Amongst other key outcomes during the Assembly was the decision to carry out a planned fact-finding parliamentary mission to Syria in the coming three months. An exploratory visit by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong took place in January this year.
 
Sixty-six parliaments and organizations also formally endorsed the Common Principles of Support to Parliament at a ceremony during the Assembly. The Common Principles aim to improve the quality of the support available to parliaments through better coordination, planning and design of parliamentary development programmes.

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have committed to taking the necessary action to carry forward proposed new sustainable development goals (SDGs) due to be adopted later this year. The success of the SDGs would transform the world and the lives of its people.
 
Parliaments from across the world reaffirmed their vision of sustainable development based on human rights, poverty eradication, peace and security in the Hanoi Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the five-day 132^nd IPU Assembly in the Vietnamese capital.
 
Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, IPU Members committed to translating them into enforceable domestic laws, to hold governments to account, and pledged to align budgets with national sustainable development plans.
 
The Hanoi Declaration, the result of a debate on The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, highlighted the need for institutions such as parliaments, and decision-making processes to be strengthened so they are fit for purpose in realizing the new SDGs.
 
In a decision-laden 132^nd Assembly hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly, IPU adopted several resolutions that could impact on global peace and security.
 
National parliaments are being called to implement international treaties and resolutions on water management and the human right to water and sanitation through laws and budget allocations.
 
With water scarcity already affecting one in every three people on the planet and in the absence of effective management of this critical resource, two thirds of the world’s population will be facing water shortages by 2025. Urbanization, population growth, climate change and environmental degradation are just some of the many factors putting enormous stress on water supplies around the world.
 
The IPU resolution calls on parliaments to advocate a dedicated and comprehensive water and sanitation goal in the new SDGs as access to clean water and sanitation remains part of the “unfinished business” of the Millennium Development Goals. Nearly 750 million people lack access to cleaner water and 2.5 billion are without improved sanitation.
 
Effective water governance is also required to make sure conflicts between communities and States are avoided.
 
IPU Members also identified a comprehensive series of measures to counter the growing threat of cyber warfare to peace and global security, whilst acknowledging the need to strike a balance between security concerns and the respect for privacy and e-development priorities.
 
Among actions to be taken was for States to ensure the law of armed conflict applied to cyber warfare; for parliaments to work with government branches and civil society to develop a cyber security strategy and for national laws and regulations to ensure cyber technology is not used to foment international conflict or provide perpetrators with immunity and safe haven. The resolution also suggested defining an international convention that would provide a unified position on preventing cyber warfare.
 
In a final resolution adopted by the 132^nd Assembly on international law on national sovereignty, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights, IPU Members reaffirmed a commitment to democracy and an equitable international order based on the rule of law.
 
Reiterating respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign States, the IPU resolution urged States to fulfil their obligations to promote, protect and safeguard human rights without discrimination.
 
Amongst other key outcomes during the Assembly was the decision to carry out a planned fact-finding parliamentary mission to Syria in the coming three months. An exploratory visit by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong took place in January this year.
 
Sixty-six parliaments and organizations also formally endorsed the Common Principles of Support to Parliament at a ceremony during the Assembly. The Common Principles aim to improve the quality of the support available to parliaments through better coordination, planning and design of parliamentary development programmes.

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have committed to taking the necessary action to carry forward proposed new sustainable development goals (SDGs) due to be adopted later this year. The success of the SDGs would transform the world and the lives of its people.
 
Parliaments from across the world reaffirmed their vision of sustainable development based on human rights, poverty eradication, peace and security in the Hanoi Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the five-day 132^nd IPU Assembly in the Vietnamese capital.
 
Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, IPU Members committed to translating them into enforceable domestic laws, to hold governments to account, and pledged to align budgets with national sustainable development plans.
 
The Hanoi Declaration, the result of a debate on The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, highlighted the need for institutions such as parliaments, and decision-making processes to be strengthened so they are fit for purpose in realizing the new SDGs.
 
In a decision-laden 132^nd Assembly hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly, IPU adopted several resolutions that could impact on global peace and security.
 
National parliaments are being called to implement international treaties and resolutions on water management and the human right to water and sanitation through laws and budget allocations.
 
With water scarcity already affecting one in every three people on the planet and in the absence of effective management of this critical resource, two thirds of the world’s population will be facing water shortages by 2025. Urbanization, population growth, climate change and environmental degradation are just some of the many factors putting enormous stress on water supplies around the world.
 
The IPU resolution calls on parliaments to advocate a dedicated and comprehensive water and sanitation goal in the new SDGs as access to clean water and sanitation remains part of the “unfinished business” of the Millennium Development Goals. Nearly 750 million people lack access to cleaner water and 2.5 billion are without improved sanitation.
 
Effective water governance is also required to make sure conflicts between communities and States are avoided.
 
IPU Members also identified a comprehensive series of measures to counter the growing threat of cyber warfare to peace and global security, whilst acknowledging the need to strike a balance between security concerns and the respect for privacy and e-development priorities.
 
Among actions to be taken was for States to ensure the law of armed conflict applied to cyber warfare; for parliaments to work with government branches and civil society to develop a cyber security strategy and for national laws and regulations to ensure cyber technology is not used to foment international conflict or provide perpetrators with immunity and safe haven. The resolution also suggested defining an international convention that would provide a unified position on preventing cyber warfare.
 
In a final resolution adopted by the 132^nd Assembly on international law on national sovereignty, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights, IPU Members reaffirmed a commitment to democracy and an equitable international order based on the rule of law.
 
Reiterating respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign States, the IPU resolution urged States to fulfil their obligations to promote, protect and safeguard human rights without discrimination.
 
Amongst other key outcomes during the Assembly was the decision to carry out a planned fact-finding parliamentary mission to Syria in the coming three months. An exploratory visit by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong took place in January this year.
 
Sixty-six parliaments and organizations also formally endorsed the Common Principles of Support to Parliament at a ceremony during the Assembly. The Common Principles aim to improve the quality of the support available to parliaments through better coordination, planning and design of parliamentary development programmes.

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have committed to taking the necessary action to carry forward proposed new sustainable development goals (SDGs) due to be adopted later this year. The success of the SDGs would transform the world and the lives of its people.
 
Parliaments from across the world reaffirmed their vision of sustainable development based on human rights, poverty eradication, peace and security in the Hanoi Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the five-day 132^nd IPU Assembly in the Vietnamese capital.
 
Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, IPU Members committed to translating them into enforceable domestic laws, to hold governments to account, and pledged to align budgets with national sustainable development plans.
 
The Hanoi Declaration, the result of a debate on The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, highlighted the need for institutions such as parliaments, and decision-making processes to be strengthened so they are fit for purpose in realizing the new SDGs.
 
In a decision-laden 132^nd Assembly hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly, IPU adopted several resolutions that could impact on global peace and security.
 
National parliaments are being called to implement international treaties and resolutions on water management and the human right to water and sanitation through laws and budget allocations.
 
With water scarcity already affecting one in every three people on the planet and in the absence of effective management of this critical resource, two thirds of the world’s population will be facing water shortages by 2025. Urbanization, population growth, climate change and environmental degradation are just some of the many factors putting enormous stress on water supplies around the world.
 
The IPU resolution calls on parliaments to advocate a dedicated and comprehensive water and sanitation goal in the new SDGs as access to clean water and sanitation remains part of the “unfinished business” of the Millennium Development Goals. Nearly 750 million people lack access to cleaner water and 2.5 billion are without improved sanitation.
 
Effective water governance is also required to make sure conflicts between communities and States are avoided.
 
IPU Members also identified a comprehensive series of measures to counter the growing threat of cyber warfare to peace and global security, whilst acknowledging the need to strike a balance between security concerns and the respect for privacy and e-development priorities.
 
Among actions to be taken was for States to ensure the law of armed conflict applied to cyber warfare; for parliaments to work with government branches and civil society to develop a cyber security strategy and for national laws and regulations to ensure cyber technology is not used to foment international conflict or provide perpetrators with immunity and safe haven. The resolution also suggested defining an international convention that would provide a unified position on preventing cyber warfare.
 
In a final resolution adopted by the 132^nd Assembly on international law on national sovereignty, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights, IPU Members reaffirmed a commitment to democracy and an equitable international order based on the rule of law.
 
Reiterating respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign States, the IPU resolution urged States to fulfil their obligations to promote, protect and safeguard human rights without discrimination.
 
Amongst other key outcomes during the Assembly was the decision to carry out a planned fact-finding parliamentary mission to Syria in the coming three months. An exploratory visit by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong took place in January this year.
 
Sixty-six parliaments and organizations also formally endorsed the Common Principles of Support to Parliament at a ceremony during the Assembly. The Common Principles aim to improve the quality of the support available to parliaments through better coordination, planning and design of parliamentary development programmes.

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have committed to taking the necessary action to carry forward proposed new sustainable development goals (SDGs) due to be adopted later this year. The success of the SDGs would transform the world and the lives of its people.
 
Parliaments from across the world reaffirmed their vision of sustainable development based on human rights, poverty eradication, peace and security in the Hanoi Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the five-day 132^nd IPU Assembly in the Vietnamese capital.
 
Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, IPU Members committed to translating them into enforceable domestic laws, to hold governments to account, and pledged to align budgets with national sustainable development plans.
 
The Hanoi Declaration, the result of a debate on The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, highlighted the need for institutions such as parliaments, and decision-making processes to be strengthened so they are fit for purpose in realizing the new SDGs.
 
In a decision-laden 132^nd Assembly hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly, IPU adopted several resolutions that could impact on global peace and security.
 
National parliaments are being called to implement international treaties and resolutions on water management and the human right to water and sanitation through laws and budget allocations.
 
With water scarcity already affecting one in every three people on the planet and in the absence of effective management of this critical resource, two thirds of the world’s population will be facing water shortages by 2025. Urbanization, population growth, climate change and environmental degradation are just some of the many factors putting enormous stress on water supplies around the world.
 
The IPU resolution calls on parliaments to advocate a dedicated and comprehensive water and sanitation goal in the new SDGs as access to clean water and sanitation remains part of the “unfinished business” of the Millennium Development Goals. Nearly 750 million people lack access to cleaner water and 2.5 billion are without improved sanitation.
 
Effective water governance is also required to make sure conflicts between communities and States are avoided.
 
IPU Members also identified a comprehensive series of measures to counter the growing threat of cyber warfare to peace and global security, whilst acknowledging the need to strike a balance between security concerns and the respect for privacy and e-development priorities.
 
Among actions to be taken was for States to ensure the law of armed conflict applied to cyber warfare; for parliaments to work with government branches and civil society to develop a cyber security strategy and for national laws and regulations to ensure cyber technology is not used to foment international conflict or provide perpetrators with immunity and safe haven. The resolution also suggested defining an international convention that would provide a unified position on preventing cyber warfare.
 
In a final resolution adopted by the 132^nd Assembly on international law on national sovereignty, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights, IPU Members reaffirmed a commitment to democracy and an equitable international order based on the rule of law.
 
Reiterating respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign States, the IPU resolution urged States to fulfil their obligations to promote, protect and safeguard human rights without discrimination.
 
Amongst other key outcomes during the Assembly was the decision to carry out a planned fact-finding parliamentary mission to Syria in the coming three months. An exploratory visit by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong took place in January this year.
 
Sixty-six parliaments and organizations also formally endorsed the Common Principles of Support to Parliament at a ceremony during the Assembly. The Common Principles aim to improve the quality of the support available to parliaments through better coordination, planning and design of parliamentary development programmes.