Executive Report: 2nd Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2)
Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia (August 26–28, 2026)
Preparations and Planning
The foundational steps for the 2nd Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2) were established in February 2026 during an official visit to Cambodia by Hon. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan and Founding Chairman of the ISC. During highlevel consultations in Phnom Penh with Cambodian Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and ISC Secretary-General Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, key decisions were finalized to convene the second conference in the Cambodian capital under the overarching theme: "Solidarity for Peace and Shared Prosperity: Strengthening International Law and Resolving Conflicts Peacefully."
Arrivals and Hospitality (August 26, 2026)
International delegates representing parliamentary delegations, inter-parliamentary organizations, and international bodies were welcomed with official Cambodian hospitality. Delegates received dedicated protocol support from a specialized liaison team formed by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Senate. The opening day concluded with a Welcome Dinner hosted by the First Vice President of the Senate, H.E. Ouch Borith, at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh.
Royal Audience and Host Country Consensus (August 27, Morning)
His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni granted a Royal Audience to the heads of delegation at the Royal Palace, conveying a Royal Message praising Cambodia for hosting the assembly and extending royal blessings for its success. Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and ISC Chairman Hon. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani conveyed warm greetings to the King on behalf of all participating delegates. To honor the occasion, a large ISC flag was flown alongside the Royal Flag at the palace entrance.
Prior to the formal opening session, Senate President Hun Sen co-presided over a special courtesy meeting with Chairman Gilani for all delegation heads. During this meeting, consensus was reached designating the Republic of Indonesia as the host country for the 3rd Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC-3) in 2027, a decision formally welcomed by all participating delegates and accepted by the Indonesian delegation.
Opening Ceremony and High-Level Keynotes
The opening ceremony brought together international delegates along with members of the Cambodian National Assembly and Senate.
Royal Message: Delivered to the assembly, highlighting the imperative of peace and multilateral cooperation.
Welcome Remarks: ISC Secretary-General Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal presented opening remarks accompanied by a visual overview of ISC initiatives.
ISC Chairman Address: Hon. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy must move "from commitment to action, from dialogue to delivery, and from promises to results" to uphold international law in a fragmented global landscape.
Keynote Address: Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet reiterated Cambodia's firm commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, noting that respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-use of force remain non-negotiable principles for world stability.
Special Addresses: Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon provided a video congratulatory message emphasized that complex global challenges require multilateral cooperation, peace rooted in justice, and active cross-border parliamentary diplomacy. He urged leaders to transform the conference's theme of solidarity into tangible action, reinforcing that dialogue and international cooperation remain essential to resolving conflicts and building a sustainable future.
Opening Address : Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen delivered a special address proposing enhanced parliamentary diplomacy mechanisms and an "Eminent Parliamentary Network" for conflict resolution and ceasefire mediation.
Conference Participation: The conference was participated by a total of 130 delegates representing 30 countries and inter-parliamentary organizations. This included 12 incumbent Speakers / Senate Presidents, 7 Deputy Speakers / Vice Presidents of Senate, 6 Members of Parliament, 2 Ambassadors and 4 international organizations. The delegations in the ISC-2 included Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, as well as executive leadership from regional and international parliamentary bodies including AIPA, PARLATINO, GCTP, and IPTP..
The opening session concluded with traditional Cambodian cultural performances and an official joint photograph of delegation leaders.
General Debate and Bilateral Engagement The General Debate commenced under the copresidency of ISC Chairman Hon. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Organizing Committee Chair / 1st Vice President of the Cambodian Senate H.E. Ouch Borith, ISC Secretary-General Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, and the Vice President of the Cambodian National Assembly. Time limits were structured at 10 minutes for Speakers and Senate Presidents, 7 minutes for Deputy Speakers and Vice Presidents, and 5 minutes for other heads of delegation.
Official statements were delivered by the delegation leaders and representatives.
Special interventions were also delivered by ISC Ambassador Ms. Misbah Khar, NGO Committee Representative at the UN Office in Geneva Ms. Carolyn Handschin, Civil Society representative Dr. Charles S. Yang, and Hon. Shumaila Rana, Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU): Greetings and messages were conveyed via video by IPU Secretary-General H.E. Anda Flip.
Concurrently, ISC Secretary-General Ek Nath Dhakal conducted bilateral meetings with various national and regional parliamentary leaders from Australia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Cameroon, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Russia, AIPA, and PARLATINO to reinforce institutional ties and advance organizational cooperation. The ISC Secretary General was accompanied by Secretariat officials including ISC International Cooperation Director Hajime Saito and UN Geneva Representative Mr. Heiner Handschin. Day one concluded with a Gala Dinner hosted by Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
Deliberations and Adoption of the Declaration (August 28, 2026)
Following the continuation of general statements and bilateral consultations, the Drafting
Committee, chaired by Cambodian Senator H.E. Ngy Chanphal and supported by ISC Secretariat Director Man Ho Woo, finalized the official conference outcome document.
The Phnom Penh Declaration was unanimously adopted by the assembly. Key commitments established in the declaration include:
Sovereignty & International Law: Reaffirms the UN Charter, territorial integrity, and noninterference in domestic affairs.
Peaceful Dispute Resolution: Calls for settling all international conflicts strictly through dialogue, negotiation, and mediation.
Parliamentary Diplomacy: Highlights legislative diplomacy as a primary tool for conflict prevention and global stability.
Shared Security & Prosperity: Urges cooperation on climate resilience, food/energy/health security, and safe supply chains.
Future Roadmap (ISC-3): Commits to institutional exchange and designates Indonesia to host the 3rd ISC in 2027.
Peace Palace Courtesy Call and Closing Proceedings
In the afternoon of August 28, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet received the heads of delegation at the Peace Palace. Delegation leaders expressed deep appreciation for the Royal Government of Cambodia's hospitality and organization.
The official closing ceremony was presided over by H.E. Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia. A joint press conference followed at the GDT Convention Center, conducted by Cambodian officials H.E. Ngy Chanphal and H.E. Suos Yara alongside ISC Secretary-General Ek Nath Dhakal and Ambassador Misbah Khar to formally present the Phnom Penh Declaration and conference conclusions to the media.
Institutional Progress and Acknowledgments
The conference marked a significant expansion in inter-parliamentary engagement, establishing full membership and partnership arrangements for new participating states and bringing global participation to 30 parliamentary entities. Extensive domestic and international media coverage highlighted the conference's core focus on legislative diplomacy, conflict prevention, and international law. The 16-member ISC Secretariat team, under the leadership of Secretary-General Ek Nath Dhakal, expressed profound gratitude to His Majesty the King, Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, ISC Chairman H.e. Yusuf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary, and the Royal Government and people of Cambodia. Preparatory coordination for the 3rd Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC-3) in Indonesia has officially commenced.
Secretariat of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC)
Geneva, Switzerland
