The National Assembly Member for Wuli East, Hon. Suwaibou Touray, has emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address climate change, rising sea levels, and erratic weather patterns, which pose significant threats to livelihoods in agriculture and fisheries. Touray made these remarks during the Global South Legislators Dialogue in China, where he engaged with fellow lawmakers on key issues such as democratic resilience, migration, climate justice, and South-South solidarity.
The dialogue provided a vital platform for legislators from developing nations to share strategies and legislative innovations. Touray highlighted the importance of the Pan African Parliament’s involvement, which is rooted in the belief that collective challenges demand collective solutions. He framed the dialogue as part of a continuum of solidarity shaped by shared history, colonial legacies, structural vulnerabilities, and global inequalities.
Touray underscored the need for cooperation in several areas, including democratic transformation, where he noted that processes are fragile and resource-intensive. He emphasized the value of lessons from fellow Global South countries in strengthening resilience and preventing democratic backsliding. The African continent’s demographic pressures, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25, also require attention, as they create opportunities as well as pressures on jobs, education, and stability.
On climate change, Touray stressed Africa’s vulnerability despite its low contribution to global emissions. He advocated for climate justice, fair financing, and holding global powers accountable. Touray called for legislators to push for stronger bargaining power in climate negotiations, which can be challenging for executives to achieve.
The dialogue also touched on debates related to gender, poverty, land tenure, and food security, with Touray arguing that parliaments must lead on these transformative issues. He proposed that South-South cooperation should move beyond bilateral relations, with legislatures crafting common positions to compel global institutions to listen. From the Pan African Parliament’s standpoint, Touray proposed three commitments: a Global South Parliamentary Knowledge Hub, joint advocacy for fairer financing, and regularized inter-parliamentary exchanges.
The Pan African Parliament is ready to play its part in addressing these challenges, bringing not only its vulnerabilities but also its resilience, democratic lessons, and unwavering belief that the Global South, united, can transform structural disadvantages into collective strength. The dialogue highlights the significance of collective action and cooperation among Global South nations in addressing pressing issues and promoting sustainable development.
