The South African multi-party parliamentary delegation on Thursday supported key draft resolutions relating to the global economy and peacebuilding at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Delegates participated in deliberations of the Standing Committee on Peace and International Relations and the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, where amendments to the draft resolutions proposed by the delegation received overwhelming support. The two committees endorsed the proposed amendments.
The Standing Committee on Sustainable Development considered the draft resolution entitled “Building a fair and sustainable global economy: The role of parliaments in combating protectionism, reducing tariffs and preventing corporate tax avoidance”. The Standing Committee on Peace and International Relations, in turn, considered the draft resolution on the role of parliaments in establishing robust post-conflict management mechanisms and restoring a just and lasting peace.
Member of the delegation, Mr Mikateko Mahlaule, who is a Member of the National Assembly, presented South Africa’s position to the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development. Mr Mahlaule supported the draft resolution and said it provides an important framework to guide parliaments in addressing the challenges associated with global economic integration.
Mr Mahlaule noted that the draft resolution correctly identifies parliaments as central actors in responding to the challenges of global economic integration. “Through our legislative, oversight and budgetary functions, we are uniquely positioned to promote transparent, fair and equitable taxation, to scrutinise trade and tax-related agreements and to ensure that national policies on trade, tariffs and taxation are coherent and aligned with sustainable development objectives,” he said.
Mr Mahlaule told delegates that protectionism, unchecked corporate power and tax evasion distort markets, deepen inequality, undermine public trust and deny governments the resources needed to deliver on their obligations to citizens. He called on parliaments to close any legislative gaps that enable abuse, strengthen accountability from both governments and corporations and champion multilateral cooperation on tax justice and fair trade.
For countries such as South Africa, Mr Mahlaule said, this is not a distant or theoretical concern. “It is a matter of fiscal sovereignty and the ability to build a just and equitable society. We strongly support this resolution and call on all member parliaments to translate its principles into concrete legislative and oversight action.”
In the Standing Committee on Peace and International Relations, Ms Dorries Mpapane, a delegate and Member of the NA, reaffirmed South Africa’s strong support for the draft resolution on strengthening post-conflict management and building sustainable peace. Ms Mpapane emphasised that lasting peace cannot be achieved through the mere silencing of guns. It requires deliberate efforts to rebuild governance systems, restore justice, reintegrate affected communities and address the root causes of conflict. She said parliaments have a crucial role to play in these processes through their legislative, oversight and representative functions. “These are deeply political, social and human processes, and parliaments are central to each of them,” she said.
Ms Mpapane told delegates that the draft resolution provides parliaments with a coherent and actionable framework for post-conflict governance and national ownership of recovery processes. “It reaffirms our responsibility to enact sound legislation, exercise effective oversight and ensure that post-conflict policies reflect the needs of our people, especially those most affected by conflict.” Ms Mpapane welcomed and supported the draft resolution’s emphasis on accountability, justice and inclusive participation. She said that sustainable peace cannot be built on impunity or exclusion and called on Parliaments to champion transitional justice, protect human rights and ensure that women, youth and marginalised communities have a meaningful voice in shaping post-conflict futures. “As representatives of our people, we bridge institutions and society. That proximity gives parliaments both the legitimacy and the responsibility to guide our people towards security and justice.” Ms Mpapane also urged all member parliaments to implement its recommendations with determination, solidarity and a shared commitment to just and lasting peace.
Malentsoe Magwagwa
17 April 2026
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