Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Dr. Tulia Ackson, has called on parliaments around the world to intensify their collaboration with governments in strengthening gender equality and improving access to healthcare, particularly in developing countries.
She made the remarks on Monday, July 22, 2025, while officially opening the Parliamentary Forum at the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Addressing lawmakers from across the globe, Dr. Tulia underscored the crucial role of parliaments in accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a strong focus on Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
“There is still a wide gap in access to quality healthcare, especially in developing nations,” said Dr. Tulia.
“With only five years left to achieve the SDGs, we must strengthen collaboration between parliaments and governments to ensure no one is left behind.”she added
On gender equality, the Speaker highlighted global progress in combating gender-based violence, discrimination, and limited political participation of women. However, she warned that despite these gains, systemic challenges still persist.
“Parliaments have a duty to create and uphold laws that guarantee justice, equity, and real financial support for initiatives that empower women and girls,” she said. “Only then can we achieve inclusive and sustainable development.”she added
Dr. Tulia stressed that legislative bodies must move beyond policy statements and ensure accountability mechanisms are in place to track progress on the ground.
This year’s Parliamentary Forum brought together lawmakers from across continents to exchange experiences, promote best practices, and reaffirm the role of parliaments as key drivers of national and global development agendas.
It is the latest in a series of high-level engagements positioning Tanzania as an active player in global discussions on development and governance.
Dr. Tulia’s leadership at the forum comes at a time when Tanzania continues to champion inclusive policies under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, particularly in health, education, and women's empowerment.