Press release: November 5

Four international parliamentary organisations and two international policy bodies join together in an international launch today of ‘Assuring our Common Future’, a parliamentary handbook to support disarmament for security and sustainable development.

The handbook provides background and examples of effective policies and parliamentary actions on a wide range of disarmament issues including weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons, small arms and light weapons, future weapon technologies and disarmament in outer space and cyber space.

The handbook was prepared and launched by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Parliamentarians for Global Action, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the World Future Council, supported by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.

“Congratulations for this must-have handbook on disarmament,” says Maria Espinosa, Member of the World Future Council and President of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly. “It is a superb resource for parliamentarians to advance effective disarmament policies and laws nationally, and to foster cooperation at the regional and international levels.”

“Engagement of parliamentarians from across the political spectrum is vital to take forward disarmament measures in order to enhance peace, security, democracy and economic well-being of people around the world, and to protect the planet,” says Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. “The importance of disarmament has become even more self-evident in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Good public health systems, science and evidence-based policies, international cooperation, informed civil society and peace are the ‘weapons’ to combat pandemics, not guns or bombs.”

“The Disarmament Agenda launched by United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) in 2018, is vital and much needed in the world of today,” says Hon. Daisy Lilián Tourné Valdez, President of the Parliamentary Forum Small Arms and Light Weapons.  “Parliamentary action is fundamental to prevent the uncontrolled flow of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) as to promote disarmament, peace and sustainable development globally. Thus, this Handbook is highly welcomed to stimulate future disarmament efforts on behalf of parliamentarians.”

"I strongly support the launch of the Parliamentary Handbook on Disarmament for Security and Sustainable Development,’ says Hon. Naveed Qamar MP, Convenor of the International Peace and Security Program for Parliamentarians for Global Action and a former Minister of Defence of Pakistan. “This Handbook is an excellent resource, highlighting the many ways that Parliamentarians, both as advocates and lawmakers, can make decisive and catalytic contributions in achieving disarmament goals."  

“Appropriate disarmament measures - coupled with a stronger focus on human security, diplomacy, international conflict resolution and law - can help reduce armed conflict, save lives and cut the $1.9 trillion global military budget,” says Hon Phil Twyford MP, New Zealand Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control and member of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. “This could liberate additional financial support for climate protection, public health and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

“I am pleased that the GCSP, as one of the actors of International Geneva, is a partner of this useful handbook on parliamentary action on arms control and disarmament,” says Ambassador Christian Dussey, Former Director (2013-2021) of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). “We need all the energy and innovative thinking that all can contribute to make the much needed progress in this field possible.”

“Policymakers have a responsibility towards current and future generations,” says Alexandra Wandel, Executive Director of the World Future Council. “This handbook is a perfect tool for them to work towards a more peaceful world.”

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The handbook is available online at www.disarmamenthandbook.org.
Contact: Alyn Ware, [email protected] +420 773 638 867 (Phone and What’s App)