Strengthening citizens representation on international level through an UN Parliamentary Assembly
Today, sixty years after its foundation, the United Nations are more important than ever to cope with global challenges. There is no alternative to international cooperation within the UN and its special agencies and programmes. The achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is an important milestone to make the life of people worldwide more secure and better. The international community's decisiveness and ability to act, particularly of the United Nations, are of major importance for that. More transparency and a broadened democratic networking enhance and strengthen the foundations and prospects of international cooperation. They also support the level of trust which people put into the United Nations and improve its acceptance and support.
Based on these considerations and
Being convinced that representation of the population and participation of civil society in the UN System supports the trust of citizens in the UN and increases its acceptance and legitimacy;
In face of growing protests against globalization in parts of civil society and the population;
Wishing to reach greater transparency and efficiency of the UN System and to make international cooperation more understandable;
In the belief that the principles of separation of powers and democracy should be made beneficial on the international level;
With reference to the proposals, which have been developed by Liberal International and presented to the UN Secretary General in 1992, bearing the title 'Strengthening of the United Nations';
Referring in particular to the recommendation of the report to explore the establishment of a parliamentary body alongside the UN General Assembly;
Building upon the proposals of the Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations-Civil Society Relations of June 2004;
And in anticipation of the impending deliberations of the UN General Assembly on the reform of the United Nations.
the Liberal International calls on the member states of the United Nations to enter into deliberations on the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations
and recommends in particular
- to examine its establishment as a consultative, semi-autonomous secondary body to the UN General Assembly through a vote of the General Assembly under Article 22 of the UN Charter or
- to consider, as far as it is prepared to accept this, the transformation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union into a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly on the basis of a decision under Article 22 of the UN Charter or on the basis of a co-operation agreement on mutual relations with the United Nations.
The LI Secretary General is asked to transmit this resolution to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN General Assembly.