SEOUL: Chairman Senate of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday formally signed the historic ‘Seoul Declaration: Joint Declaration on Peace and Prosperity’.
Senate chairman addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC 2025) at the National Assembly (NA) of the Republic of Korea, where he formally declared and signed the declaration, says the statement issued by the Senate Secretariat.
The declaration was also signed by founding speakers and members of the forum representing 45 countries, including dignitaries and high-ranking parliamentary leaders.
Among the signatories was the Ms. Paula White- Cain, Senior Advisor to US President Donald Trump, highlighting the declaration’s broad international backing and bipartisan appeal.
Gilani, representing Pakistan on this distinguished global platform, reaffirmed the country’s dedication to peace-building, multilateral cooperation, and inclusive development.
His address emphasized the growing urgency of collective action in the face of global challenges like nuclear proliferation, poverty, climate change, and regional conflicts.
The Seoul Declaration outlines a shared global vision and commitment to:
1. Strengthening Cooperation among parliamentary leaders and institutions.
2 Promoting peace efforts worldwide.
3. Upholding international order and respecting human rights. 4. Realizing shared prosperity and advancing sustainable development
5. Addressing global challenges, including climate change, public health crises, and the digital divide.
6. Establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.
In his keynote remarks, Gilani said, “Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the creation of an environment where all humanity can coexist and thrive.
Through mutual understanding, international solidarity, and coordinated parliamentary efforts, we can pave the way for a more just, inclusive, and prosperous world”.
The conference concluded with a reaffirmation by participating countries to actively pursue the principles of the declaration and strengthen inter-parliamentary dialogue to build a resilient and cooperative global future.
Meanwhile, he addressed the World Summit 2025 in Seoul, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The summit, attended by over 500 delegates and 45 Speakers of Parliament from 150 nations, focused on the theme: “Contemporary Challenges to World Order: Establishing a new era of peace and Prosperity.”
In his remarks, Gilani emphasized the urgent need for global solidarity, inclusive development, and ethical multilateralism, calling upon world leaders to reimagine governance as a tool for economic, environmental and social justice.
“Will we be remembered as the generation that debated crises or the one that solved them?” he asked, urging a bold departure from outdated paradigms and a renewed social contract between humanity and the planet.
He spotlighted Pakistan’s commitment to climate resilience, citing its aggressive push toward 60% renewable energy by 2030, large-scale ecosystem restoration efforts, and advocacy for debt relief for climate-vulnerable nations.
Despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-threatened countries in the world—a reality he described as both a challenge and a call to lead with purpose.
As founding chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), Gilani underscored the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy in bridging global divides, aligning the ISC’s mission with that of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in promoting shared values, inclusivity, and transnational harmony.
“The ISC and UPF share a DNA of hope. Together, we can build mechanisms to promote peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and a more just world order,” he maintained.
He proposed a global movement toward “ethical multilateralism”—a reorientation of international institutions into ecosystems of cooperation and trust, reflecting the original promise of the United Nations 80 years ago.
Drawing inspiration from a Korean proverb—“A single stroke cannot carve a statue”—he called on leaders to chisel a new future through collaboration, shared responsibility, and transformative action. The speech concluded with a heartfelt tribute to the Universal Peace Federation and its Co-Founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon (Mother Moon) for their tireless commitment to advancing the cause of peace.
