SPEAKER of the National Assembly and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Dr Tulia Ackson has said that the continued cooperation between IPU and the United Nations is crucial in implementing various joint initiatives for the benefit of the world.

She made the remarks yesterday while delivering a speech on behalf of IPU at the United Nations Summit of Heads of State and Government which discussed the future of the world (Summit of the Future), held at the UN Headquarters in New York.

In her address, Dr Tulia noted that for more than a quarter-century since the establishment of the Millennium Declaration, collaboration between IPU and the UN has achieved significant success, with both entities reaching their goals annually to ensure that the UN remains a responsible and transparent institution that effectively implements its resolutions.

She also highlighted that the role of parliaments is clearly outlined in Goal 55 of the Pact of the Future which aims at strengthening partnership between parliaments and the United Nations.

Emphasizing the importance of the role of parliaments, Dr Tulia quoted Tanzania's founding president Julius Kambarage Nyerere who said: "It is possible, fulfill your duty." She added that IPU fulfils its duty to ensure that the United Nations continues to be strong through involvement of parliaments.

"The world needs change and the only place to make those changes is within the United Nations and the time to do so is now," she said.