Final Declaration
of the Second International Forum “Development of Parliamentarism”
(Moscow, July 1-3, 2019)
We, the participants of the Second International Forum “Development of Parliamentarism”, assembled in Moscow on the initiative of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation,
Sharing the understanding thatthe system of international relations in the modern multipolar world should be based on the principles of equality, dialogue, cooperation, respect for international law, respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, meet the interests of sustainable development for the benefit of peoples,
Being interestedin further strengthening of inter-parliamentary relations to develop multi-vector cooperation and promote common interests and values in the international arena,
Recognizingthat inter-parliamentary cooperation contributes to rapprochement between countries and establishes the dialogue channels that advance interstate relations to a new level,
Being guidedby the principles of equality, openness, solidarity, mutual assistance, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation in the international dialogue,
Notingthe general willingness to deepen interaction between legislative authorities and exchange experience in order to further improve lawmaking in the interests of sovereign peoples,
Welcoming, in particular, the intensification of inter-parliamentary contacts and the diversification of the formats of interaction with African countries,
Recognizingthe significant contribution of the parliamentary interaction with the academic and expert community as well as civil society representatives in the strengthening of international cooperation and international security,
Discussed,during the Second International Forum “Development of Parliamentarism” on July 1-3, 2019 in Moscow, Russian Federation, the role of parliaments in addressing key issues of the global development agenda and declare the following:
Acknowledgethe importance of a broad parliamentary cooperation to ensure sustainable development, international and regional security, environmental well-being, fighting poverty and inequality, establishing collaborative efforts in countering terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, illegal migration and other common challenges and threats;
Announcethat in order to achieve these goals, parliamentarians will use all the opportunities of inter-parliamentary cooperation to remove barriers and promote inclusive, equal and mutually respectful dialogue, eliminate emerging threats to peace and security, resolve disagreements in strict compliance with the fundamental norms of international law, reduce conflict potential and confrontation in the world, build trust and develop a constructive unifying agenda for international cooperation;
Condemnunilateral methods of resolving international disputes and use of force and sanction pressure as being destabilizing and contrary to international law, interests of peoples and sustainable development goals;
Declareunacceptable any political sanctions and other repressive measures against parliamentarians including restricting the rights of national delegations at inter-parliamentary forums, which contravenes the fundamental democratic values, principles of international law and parliamentarism;
Strongly disapproveof the use of inter-parliamentary institutions and forums for political provocations and extremist actions, inciting ethnic hatred and escalating political tensions;
Encourageto use the inter-parliamentary cooperation channels to promote the comprehensive improvement of the global economic management system in order to resolve the crisis in the global economy and ensure greater economic and financial stability, harmonization of international trade relations, sustainable, dynamic growth;
Statethat in the conditions of global digital transformation and transition of the world economy to a new technological paradigm, the development of a common vision and harmonization of approaches to legal regulation in the digital era, which requires deep inter-parliamentary coordination, exchange of legislative practices, close cooperation in the development of uniform international standards, becomes the key for economic growth and social and economic stability;
Notethe special role of national parliaments and inter-parliamentary cooperation in adoption of the principles of responsible behavior in the information space and formation of a safe and open global information environment;
Encouragethe media, civil society and all the parties involved in dissemination of mass information and development of regulations in this area, to unite efforts in countering disinformation and “fake news”;
Emphasizethe need to further expand parliamentary support for development of international humanitarian cooperation as well as cooperation in education, science, culture, health care, sports, tourist exchanges, youth contacts and more active involvement of young people in the process of developing and making decisions on social, economic and political issues of national and global development;
Supportthe general focus on comprehensive intensification of a broad, equitable, political and economic cooperation with African countries and their associations, first of all, with the African Union, to ensure sustainable development, international and regional security and stability;
Declareour readiness to expand the exchange legislative experience with African countries in the key areas in order to create a favorable legal environment and eliminate obstacles to building a comprehensive mutually beneficial partnership, including in trade and investment, promoting structural transformation and making Africa a prosperous, secure continent;
Welcomeinitiatives for building cooperation with the Pan-African Parliament through international parliamentary associations;
Welcomethe holding of the International Forum “Development of Parliamentarism” on an annual basis.