The National Assembly Member for Wuli East, Hon. Suwaibou Touray, emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address climate change, rising sea levels, and erratic weather patterns that threaten livelihoods in agriculture and fisheries. He made these remarks during the Global South Legislators Dialogue in China, where he engaged with fellow lawmakers on 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, arguing that collective challenges require collective solutions. He framed the dialogue as part of a continuum of solidarity shaped by shared history, colonial legacies, structural vulnerabilities, and global inequalities. He underscored the need for cooperation in several areas, including democratic transformation, noting that democratic processes are fragile and resource‑intensive. He emphasized the value of lessons from other Global South countries in strengthening resilience and preventing democratic backsliding.
The African continent’s demographic pressures—over 60 % of its population is under the age of 25—create both opportunities and strains 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, calling on legislators to push for stronger bargaining power in climate negotiations—a task often difficult for executives to achieve.
The dialogue also addressed gender, poverty, land tenure, and food security, with Touray arguing that parliaments must lead on these transformative issues. He proposed that South‑South cooperation move beyond bilateral relations, urging legislatures to craft common positions that compel global institutions to listen. From the Pan‑African Parliament’s standpoint, he outlined three commitments: establishing 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 an unwavering belief that a united Global South can transform structural disadvantages into collective strength. The dialogue highlights the significance of collective action and cooperation among Global South nations in tackling pressing issues and promoting sustainable development.
Comments are closed for this story.