The United Nations could become significantly more authentic and credible in promoting parliamentary democracy around the world if it were under parliamentary control itself, exercised by a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
Mátyás Eörsi, Secretary-General of the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy, 2013
Our world is facing ecological disasters and challenges that are systemic and global. The response has to be systematic and global as well. That's why genuinely global institutions such as a UN Parliamentary Assembly are required.
Sándor Fülöp, Former Parliamentary Commissioner for Future Generations, Hungary, 2013
We in India should support the creation of a global parliamentary assembly at the United Nations. Of course a lot of details need to be investigated. Still the government of India could express at the UN General Assembly that, in principle, it regards the proposal with favor.
Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament from India, former UN Under-Secretary General for Public Information, 2012
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