2018 October, 19th

This resolution in pdf-format

The 42nd Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, adopted the following resolution:

The United Nations through the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals is positioned as a leader in the pursuit of creating a better world for all and ensuring that no one is left behind. To effectively achieve this objective the organization must address the democratic deficit within global decision-making processes. All citizens should have the possibility and right to participate in political decisions affecting their lives and their communities and as such citizensf representation and inclusion is necessary at all levels.

• Convinced that the United Nations is more important than ever as a central pillar of international co-operation, peace and security,
• Recalling the opening words of the UNfs Charter gWe the Peoplesh which base the legitimacy of the organization on the will of the peoples of its member states,
• Reaffirming that democratic representation is the best means available to make the voice of the people heard in a legitimate and systematic way,
• Believing that stronger citizen representation in the activities of the United Nations will improve the organizationfs legitimacy, acceptance and support among the people of the world,
• Noting that the Sustainable Development Goal 16 of Agenda 2030 calls for the establishment of "effective, accountable and transparent institutions" (16,6) and "responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels (16,7),
• Reaffirming the resolution adopted on the 10 November 2006 by the 38th Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of United Nations Associations in support of the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly, . Recognizing the international Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly that has run since 2007 which has received signatures of support from over 1,500 MPs from more than 100 UN member states as well as UN officials, academics, Nobel Prize winners and representatives and civil society,
• Noting further that the European Parliament, the Latin-American Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament, among others, adopted resolutions supporting a UN Parliamentary Assembly,
• Bearing in mind that the UN will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2020,

the World Federation of United Nations Associations,

• Supports the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly attached to the UN General Assembly that allows for formal participation of parliamentarians in the work of the UN,
• Calls upon the governments of the United Nations member states, parliamentarians, civil society representatives and WFUNA member organizations to jointly support steps towards the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly,
• Supports the call for an open and inclusive intergovernmental preparatory process under the auspices of the UN General Assembly for a UN 2020 summit that considers comprehensive reform measures, including the creation of a UN Parliamentary Assembly.

Resolution adopted on 19 October 2018
in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)