A 2026 civil society declaration on Sustainable Development Goal 16 has called on governments to consider setting up a parliamentary body at the United Nations as part of wider efforts to make the world organization more representative, participatory and democratic.
The declaration, presented ahead of the 2026 SDG16 Conference in New York on 17 June 2026, urges governments to reaffirm the central role of civil society, especially local and grassroots organisations, in implementing UN agendas. It also calls for measures such as citizens’ assemblies, an International Civil Society Day established by the UN General Assembly and consideration of a parliamentary body.
A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly is a proposed body of elected representatives that would give citizens a stronger voice in global decision-making and help make the UN more accountable to the people affected by its decisions.
Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary-General of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, linked the proposal to the UN Charter’s opening words. “The UN was founded in the name of “We the Peoples.” It is thus fitting that people should have direct representation at the UN through a Parliamentary Assembly. This will help bring the UN closer to local communities and ensure that decision making at the UN is grounded in people’s aspirations and is less bureaucratic and state-centric,” he said.
Andisiwe Kumbaca, a member of Parliament from South Africa, said the declaration shows civil society’s continued push for a more representative UN. “This welcome declaration shows that civil society continues to lead the call for a more representative and participatory United Nations. A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly would help ensure that global decisions are informed not only by governments, but also by elected representatives who are accountable to their constituents. This would be an important step toward a more people-centred, and legitimate UN.”
The declaration comes as governments discuss follow-up to the 2024 Pact for the Future and the Secretary-General’s UN80 reform initiative. Both processes offer opportunities to put democratic representation more firmly on the UN reform agenda.
Read the full report by Democracy Without Borders with further commentary from Members of Parliament.