Hon Mabel Memory Chinomana, President of the Senate of Zimbabwe and President of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) participated in the 2nd Summit of the heads of regional unions in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean “AFROLAC” held in Panama City, Panama from 18 to 20 May under the theme, “Empowering Women and Youth in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.”
The Summit was held on the sidelines of the Annual Assembly of the Latin American Parliament. It brought together heads from the following regional unions:
- Latin American Parliament represented by Her Excellency, Mrs Silvia Giacoppo Rosario, Speaker of the Latin American Parliament;
- Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World represented by His Excellency, Mr. Enaam Mayara, Speaker of the House of Councilors of the Kingdom of Morocco;
- Central American Parliament represented by His Excellency, Mr Amando Cerrud Acevedo, Speaker of the Central American Parliament;
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) represented by His Excellency, Mr. Edwin Melvin Snowe, representing Speaker of ECOWAS;
- Mercosur Parliament represented by Her Excellency, Ms. Cecilia Britto, Interim President of the Mercosur; and
- Pan African Parliament (PAP) represented by Her Excellency, Ms. Lucia Maria Mendes Goncalves Dos Passos, Vice President of PAP;
AFROLAC is an organization linking national Parliaments from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean whose main objectives are:
- The establishment of South-to-South Parliamentary dialogue on issues of mutual interest;
- Promoting political, social, economic, cultural, and environmental integration of all its members;
- Promoting Parliamentary exchanges and sharing of best Parliamentary practices and promote South to South cooperation;
- Fostering democratic governance and justice;
- Strengthening the role of Parliaments in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean; and
- Strengthening relations between African, Latin American, and Caribbean Parliaments.
In welcoming the delegates to the Meeting, the Speaker of the Latin American Parliament drew attention to the current global challenges which include climate change, terrorism, migration, food security, and military conflicts. Noting that these challenges are cross-cutting from South to South, she called for engagements between member Parliaments from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean for collective solutions. Furthermore, she called for the strengthening of existing South-to-South relations for the mutual benefit of the regions.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Councilors from Morocco, who is also the coordinator of activities of AFROLAC for Africa applauded the creation of this vital platform necessary for strengthening South-to-South Parliamentary relations.
In her contributions to the discussions, Hon. Chinomona referred to the current global challenges which negatively impacted the citizenry, particularly the most vulnerable members of society – women and the youth. Within this context, she shared initiatives by the African Union, the APU, and the Parliament of Zimbabwe on empowering women and youth. She posited that Africa’s vision for its people is that of a continent where girls and boys reach their full potential and men and women contribute equally to the development of their societies.
Following deliberations with the participating Presidents from regional unions, the Summit adopted the Declaration of the Parliamentary Forum of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The Declaration reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the existing relations between Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean through building strategic inter-regional alliances and exchanges of experiences and Parliamentary best practices. Additionally, the declaration called for the Parliaments to promote global peace and enact policies that stimulate the empowerment of women and youth.
Furthermore, the Declaration calls on Parliaments to meticulously execute their legislative, representation, and oversight functions in order to improve the livelihoods of the people they represent.
The Presidents of regional unions also attended the official opening of the King Mohammed V1 Library within the precincts of the Latin America Parliament. The Library, sponsored by the Kingdom of Morocco is open to Parliamentarians, students, and the general public. It is testimony to the linkages between the regional Parliaments.