Senate president leads IPU committee at 153rd assembly

**ARUSHA, TANZANIA –**Eswatini Parliament Senate President, Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini is leading a local delegation at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Union) 153rd Assembly taking place in Arusha, Tanzania.

The delegation comprises of Senator Siphelele Mkhonta, Senator Lindiwe Ngwenya and Members of Parliament Sicelo Khungankhosi Dlamini, Zanele Mashaba and Mduduzi Mantunta Dlamini.

Speaking at the event, the Senate President urged parliamentarians to ensure that decisions made in legislative chambers translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.

Dlamini said Parliaments could no longer afford to remain disconnected from the communities they were established to serve.

She said the challenges facing countries, including climate change, socio-economic inequality and threats to peace and stability, required collective and inclusive responses from parliamentarians.

“For us, this is not simply a conference theme. It is a call to examine whether our parliamentary institutions remain sufficiently connected to the people they are established to serve,” Dlamini said.

The Senate President said Eswatini’s parliamentary system continued to place citizens at the centre of governance, with emphasis on national unity, service, community and the well-being of the people.

She said the country’s governance approach was grounded in respect, consensus and community participation through traditional structures.

Dlamini identified youth and women empowerment, climate resilience, and peace and stability as key areas that Parliament continued to champion.

She said legislative frameworks should provide equitable opportunities in governance, entrepreneurship and education, while policies should protect communities from the effects of climate shocks.

“Recognising that without peace, no sustainable development can be achieved,” she said.

Dlamini also used the gathering to pay tribute to IPU President Dr Tulia Ackson, whom she described as an example of the contribution women continue to make to leadership and parliamentary diplomacy.

She hailed Ackson’s leadership as a source of inspiration for women and the African continent, saying her journey demonstrated the importance of unity and dialogue.

The Senate president further called on parliamentarians to ensure that the outcomes of the IPU Assembly went beyond resolutions and translated into action.

“As we debate, deliberate, and network throughout this Assembly, let us draw inspiration from the spirit of Ujamaa and unity that defines our host nation, Tanzania,” she said.

“Let us ensure that the resolutions we adopt here in Arusha do not remain on paper but translate into tangible action for the betterment of the people we serve.”

Dlamini reaffirmed Eswatini Parliament’s commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and working with other legislatures through the IPU to strengthen inclusive, accountable and people-centred institutions.

At the same event, the Senate President held a meeting with the Human Rights Chairperson of IPU Madam Nominchimeg Odsuren from Mongolia.

Meanwhile, it is expected that the Assembly will adopt resolutions on the emergency item and on the subject item taken up by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights entitled Inclusive social development for all: Parliamentary strategies to promote the rights and empowerment of people living with disabilities.

The Assembly is expected to conclude with the adoption of an outcome document on the overall theme of the General Debate.

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