Intergovernmental summits have proven to be ineffective, too ineffective, in addressing the challenges of climate change, the loss of biodiversity or environmental protection. Negotiators are trapped in narrow national interests as well as the interests of corporations on their national delegations. The lowest common denominator negotiated by the world's governments is not enough. It is indeed time to have the world's citizens heard through an elected UN Parliamentary Assembly.

Nnimmo Bassey, Nigerian environmentalist, Chair of Friends of the Earth International 2008-2012, 2012

There is no substitute for the United Nations as the primary organization in which almost all countries participate. However, reflecting the realities of an ever-changing world, the UN should be complemented by a Parliamentary Assembly that helps maintain a strong relationship with the public across the world, feels its pulse, and tries to meet people's needs and desires.

Yossi Beilin, Israeli politician, former Minister of Justice and a longtime Member of the Knesset (until 2008), 2012

A world parliament of citizens would complement the UN system in a democratic way and contribute to strengthening the compliance to international law and human rights principles.

Ove Bring, Professor emeritus of International Law at Stockholm University, Sweden, 2012

There should be established for the prevalence and happiness of humankind a representative assembly, a global parliament, for the people of the Earth, based on the principle of one person, one vote, one value.

Bob Brown, Environmentalist and Australian Senator, 2012

For over a century, parliamentarians from all over the world have worked together to uphold democracy, and to advance peace, international law, disarmament, and many other issues. The time has come to give them a firm and strong role in deliberations and decision-making at the United Nations by establishing a UN Parliamentary Assembly.

Najma Heptulla, Indian parliamentarian, Honorary President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, 2012

It appears only natural that the UN subscribes to the democratic principles it has so far stood to advocate, both in spirit and form. With a world parliament at the helm of the UN, the real benefits of a truly democratically structured institution can be realized for all member states, big or small, through the peoples’ mandated representatives directly. It is time for a UN Parliamentary Assembly.

Sangay Khandu, Member of Parliament, Bhutan, 2012

The Mercosur Parliament supports the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly as a means to create a citizen-based democratic world order. As a regional international parliament we very well understand the challenges but also the tremendous benefits that this endeavour entails.

Ignacio Mendoza Unzaín, President of the Parliament of Mercosur (Mercosur trade bloc), 2012

Global crises require global solutions. Occasional summits, intergovernmental agreements and international cooperation are not enough. For instance, the globalization of finance requires new functional and democratic institutions as well as an elected body capable of coordinating their activities and determining the contents of international law, a world parliament.

Heikki Patomäki, Professor of World Politics at the University of Helsinki, Finland, 2012

The United Nations is dysfunctional and unable to act. I strongly support the creation of a democratically elected UN Parliamentary Assembly. This is what is desperately needed to give the world's citizens a true voice.

Abdulbaset Sieda, President of the Syrian National Council in exile in Sweden, 2012

Mozambique should support the creation of a global parliamentary assembly at the United Nations. As a young parliamentarian from Africa, I support this wonderful initiative. We are in a 'global village' where each nation and every world citizen should be invited to do and say something for a better world.

Ivone Soares, Deputy President of the Commission on International Relations of the Parliament of Mozambique, 2012