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International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace
IAPP Launched in Gabon
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Libreville, Gabon—Thursday, September 21, 2017, marked the inauguration of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) in Gabon, West Africa. Present were about 150 guests; these included 90 parliamentarians, among whom 28 were appointed Ambassadors for Peace. The event took place in Gabon’s National Assembly, located in the Palais Léon M'ba. Among those participating were Hon. Idriss Ngari, second vice president of the National Assembly of Gabon, Hon. Mba Abessolo, fifth vice president of the National Assembly; and Mrs. Maganga Moussavou, wife of the vice president of Gabon.
UPF’s national chairman gave welcoming remarks and then read Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon’s address upon the occasion of the founding of IAPP. This was followed by an address by Honorable Abessolo, who presided over the opening ceremony and officially installed the IAPP staff. Then Rev. Adama Doumbia, secretary general of UPF for Africa, gave a presentation on UPF’s Principles of Peace, its objectives and expectations, and how to build peace with the family as the starting point. He explained how the different relations in the family influence the social order and emphasized that parliaments are very important as they represent the population.
Rev Doumbia’s lecture was very well appreciated, with one participant remarking that he learned many things and better understood the role of parliaments. After this, Ambassadors for Peace certificates were awarded. Many were uplifted by the idea and purpose of the IAPP and support the possibility of conducting a similar ceremony in Gabon’s Senate.
When asked to give a final word, Honorable Abessolo summed up the event poetically: “There cannot be a final word because this is just the beginning. We are called upon as parliamentarians and Ambassadors for Peace to hold on to our destiny and lift up our nation and Africa. That’s our task.” He concluded with words of thanks to UPF for this initiative and opportunity.