In a poignant address to the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, a young parliamentarian, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong has emphasized the critical role of dialogue, empathy, and respect in building bridges for peace and development globally. Speaking on the theme “Building Bridges for Peace and Development,” the parliamentarian underscored the determination of young leaders to tackle conflicts and address historical grievances with understanding.
In his remarks, he expressed the determination of young parliamentarians across the globe to play a role in bringing peace to a world that is beset with pockets of conflict, not being unmindful, however, of the historical factors that may have led to them.
He stressed the opinion that to overcome these obstacles, dialogue, empathy, and respect for each other’s history and cultures was key to building bridges.
Ekpenyong shared his experience as Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, where he and the members continue to work tirelessly with the board and management to achieve a lasting peace and surmount both the environmental & developmental challenges in the Niger Delta region.
He concluded by urging the assembly to enact resolutions that would protect women and children, noncombatants who bear the brunt of the needless violence associated with war and conflict.
He challenged the assembly not to relent in its effort to bring lasting peace to the world by invoking the words of the late Kofi Annan who said, “Peace is never a perfect achievement”.
Senator Ekpenyong closed his speech by reminding the assembly that peace is not just a destination but a manner of traveling.