PRESS RELEASE BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MP Randolph De Battista addresses the 147th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Luanda, Angola

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MP De Battista spoke during the Young Parliamentarians segment in the general debate of the 147th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which was held in Luanda, Angola between 23 and 27 October, debated the action by parliaments for peace, justice and strong institutions. This is one of the sustainable development goals which recognises that underlying the multiple crises of our time, there is a fundamental governance challenge linked to people's trust in institutions and their capacity to meet the needs of all people equitably and sustainably.​

In his remarks, MP De Battista stated that leaders are there to serve all the people and, for people to have trust in our institutions, they need to feel that they belong. MP De Battista then referred to the event held last month in the Maltese Parliament which brought together LGBTIQ+ parliamentarians from around the world to discuss a more equal and just representation. He also joined the call made earlier by the President of the Irish Senate, Mr Jerry Buttimer, for IPU to work harder to promote and defend the rights of LGBTIQ+ parliamentarians. On the occasion of Intersex Awareness Day, MP De Battista saluted Dimakatso and Sharon Rose, two intersex youths brought up in South Africa, and praised them for sharing their experience in their new film "WHO I AM NOT".

MP De Battista emphasised that in order to achieve more peace, the world needs less weapons and weapon financing. With regard to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, he stated that there should be a greater will and opportunity for the people of Palestine and Israel to be able to live next to each other without fear of violence and intimidation.

MP De Battista concluded his speech by appealing for more respect for one another. Even if world peace may sound utopian in the current circumstances, however we should always direct our efforts to achieve it. He called on politicians to not focus on which side should win, as this will lead to the same negative result, that is a result in which innocent people, the world and humanity loses.

The Maltese parliamentary delegation to the 147th IPU Assembly was led by Speaker Anġlu Farrugia and included MP Randolph De Battista and MP Robert Cutajar.

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