Honoring Parliaments as Stewards of Democracy

On the International Day of Parliamentarism, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) joins the global community in honoring the vital role of parliaments in promoting good governance, moral leadership, and the well-being of all people. We salute legislatures around the world as stewards of democracy and peace.

Marking the anniversary of the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1889, this year's observance emphasizes the importance of strong, independent, and transparent parliaments. In line with the 2025 theme, Achieving gender equality, action by action, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the IPU Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the significant contributions of women leaders to inclusive governance.

As the world faces complex challenges, parliaments must act with integrity, compassion, and courage. We recognize the dedication of lawmakers working to protect the vulnerable, bridge divides, and build inclusive societies. We commend the efforts of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) — an initiative of UPF co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon — which unites legislators globally in pursuit of dialogue and cooperation. Since its launch in Seoul in 2016, IAPP has hosted conferences on topics from UN reform to regional peacebuilding.

We urge parliamentarians to embrace leadership rooted in moral responsibility. Just as individuals serve their families, and families serve their nations, elected leaders must look beyond national interests to serve the global human family.

We also commend the integration of interfaith dialogue into parliamentary initiatives, such as the recent Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue held in Rome in June 2025. Convened by IPU in partnership with Religions for Peace, this gathering affirmed the power of collaboration between lawmakers and religious leaders to promote trust and peaceful coexistence.

UPF affirms the importance of advancing interfaith understanding, supporting families, and enacting policies that prioritize education, youth empowerment, and gender equity. Guided by principles of interdependence, mutual prosperity, and shared values, legislation can shape a just and peaceful future.

As part of our ongoing efforts — including the 100-Day Campaign leading to the International Day of Peace — we invite parliamentary leaders to contribute to a global culture of peace through meaningful dialogue and principled policymaking.

To our Ambassadors for Peace, UPF chapters, and civil society partners: we encourage collaboration with elected representatives in a spirit of respect and shared purpose.

When rooted in ethics and animated by a vision for the common good, parliaments can become pillars of hope and stability. The foundation of lasting peace is not only political but spiritual—grounded in values that uphold human dignity and our shared origin in the Divine.

On this day, we reaffirm our hope that parliaments will rise to the challenges of our time and lead with conscience and vision for the sake of all humanity.

Dr. Tageldin Hamad, President, UPF-International 

 June 30, 2025