Standing ovation for Michael Douglas at Conference of Speakers of the World's Parliaments

Speakers of Parliaments from around the world gave Michael Douglas a standing ovation following his 25-minute keynote speech at the opening session of the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in close collaboration with the United Nations from July 29-31, 2025. 

The conference focused on the topic "A world in turmoil: Parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all." 

Mr Douglas, an Academy Award winning actor and UN Peace Messenger, warned the audience that "these are the most dangerous times of my life." However, he observed that the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) are doing incredible work to build bridges between peoples and governments, resolve long-standing conflicts, help fulfil  human needs through sustainable development, and build accountable government. 

In his speech, Mr Douglas reflected on some of the success stories of the United Nations, the important vision and work of the IPU, and the role of parliamentarians most of whom enter public service with ideals and commitment to improve society and the world. According to Douglas, this dedication of parliamentarians to service to their communities and to multilateralism and the common good through the UN and IPU, are the anti-thesis of the 'Greed is Good' doctrine (a reference to the corrupt character he played in Wall Street) - a doctrine that is killing the planet. 

Mr Douglas spoke about active hope for peace and the planet. "I believe we can deliver a positive vision for the future, like the one I absorbed, almost through osmosis, growing up in parallel with the United Nations," he said. "And I believe we can plant the seeds of a future – where might is not measured in missiles, but in the strength of institutions that deliver justice, freedom, and opportunity. In democracies free of corruption… societies free of want...and the next generation, free of fear."

During his talk, Mr Douglas praised PNND twice, firstly for Assuring our Common Future, an online parliamentary handbook on disarmament for security and sustainable development produced by PNND and IPU, and secondly for PNND's critical work with parliamentarians to bring hope and action for nuclear risk reduction, disarmament and peace.

• Watch the speech of Mr Douglas
• Watch an IPU interview with Mr Douglas

Other PNND contributions to the IPU Conference of Speakers of Parliaments

On July 30, a special session was held at the conference on the topic Innovating for a peaceful future, crafting new solutions for a turbulent world.  Alyn Ware, PNND Global Coordinator, addressed the session noting that "Parliamentarians have an important role in implementation of the commitments made by UN member States in the Pact for the Future, adopted without dissent at the UN Summit of the Future in September last year." 

Mr Ware highlighted the commitment in the Pact to prevent nuclear war and achieve the global elimination of nuclear weapons, and thanked Michael Douglas for referring to Assuring our Common Future, which provides information and assistance to parliamentarians to advance disarmament across all weapons systems, in particular focus on nuclear risk reduction and disarmament. 

Mr Ware also highlighted the affirmation in the Pact for the Future on the importance of international law in assuring peace and justice, and the effective role of the International Court of Justice. 

"In this regard, we encourage parliamentarians to work with their governments in implementation of ICJ decisions with global application, such as the Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States with Regard to Climate Change delivered in July 23 this year," said Mr Ware, "and to encourage their governments to accept compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ for contentious disputes, if they have not already done so." 

Finally, Mr Ware noted the World Future Policy Awards, organized by the World Future Council in cooperation with IPU. The 2024 Award focused on effective policies on Peace and Future Generations, and demonstrated that peace is possible, even in trubulent times.

49 excellent policies from around the world were nominated. Winners included the Wales Commission for Future Generations, the From Arms to Farms program in Kauswagan, Philippines; Canada’s Feminist International Assistance program; the indigenous Moriori Peace Covenant and the Nigerian National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security which won a visionary award.

Interactive debate with major stakeholders

On July 31, the conference held an Interactive debate with major stakeholders. Jonathan Granoff, President of Global Security Institute and a PNND Council Member, was a panelist for this session. 

Mr Granoff provided an example of effective multi-stakeholder cooperation between governments, parliamentarians and civil society leaders on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament through the Middle Powers Initiative (MPI). He noted that MPI, working in cooperation with the New Agenda Coalition (the governments of Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa), organized delegations to NATO countries and held high-level consultations hosted by former US President Jimmy Carter, which was instrumental, amongst other things, in the adoption by the States Parties to the NPT in 2000 of 13 practical steps for disarmament.

Mr Granoff also spoke of the importance of putting ethical principles at the forefront of decision making, rather than the principle of efficiency. By putting efficiency first, we are destroying the ecosystems of the planet and failing to address human needs and common security. Mr Granoff highlighted the 'golden rule' found in all the main religions and faiths, i.e. to treat others as we would want them to treat us, and argued that we need to expand this rule across the generations: "We must treat the lives of future generations as we would want to be treated.