On Saturday, at the ongoing Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) global conference hosted in Türkiye, Rabin Parmessar, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) parliamentary faction in Suriname, delivered a landmark address to an assembly of over 1,000 parliamentary representatives from more than 150 countries.
Parmessar centered his speech on the urgent need for coordinated cross-border parliamentary collaboration to address pressing shared global challenges. Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical friction across multiple regions, he emphasized that robust democratic institutions, unwavering commitment to democratic values, and shared global responsibility are non-negotiable foundations for navigating today’s turbulent international landscape.
As one of the world’s largest multilateral platforms for parliamentary dialogue, the IPU conference brings together not only elected parliamentarians but also delegates from dozens of international intergovernmental organizations and civil society non-governmental organizations. The summit serves as a critical space for constructive discussion and coordination on core global issues ranging from democratic governance and inclusive sustainable development to international peace and security.
In his remarks, Parmessar also highlighted the outsized importance of continued active engagement from smaller sovereign nations in global multilateral forums. Specifically pointing to his own country Suriname, he stressed that national parliaments across all states, regardless of size or economic power, play an irreplaceable role in upholding governmental transparency, advancing good governance, and ensuring accountability to citizens.
Parmessar is leading the three-person Surinamese parliamentary delegation to the conference, joined by Asis Gajadien, parliamentary faction leader of the Progressive People’s Party (VHP), and Ines Pané of the Basic Party for Renewal and Democracy (ABOP). Suriname’s participation in this year’s IPU conference aligns with the country’s broader long-term diplomatic strategy to strengthen its global standing and deepen its contributions to inclusive multilateral cooperation, according to delegation sources.