Following are quotable quotes from those who took the floor at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament on Aug. 31:

"We are being challenged to strengthen our collective resolve to promote peace and security, sustainable development and human rights around the world." "The 17 Sustainable Development Goals that form the basis of this agenda are people-centered and planet-sensitive. They provide a plan of action for ending poverty and hunger, and a roadmap for building a life of dignity for all." -- Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general.

"This ambitious development framework, which is the result of nearly two years of preparatory work and intense negotiations, represents a historic opportunity to change our world for the better. Through the eradication of poverty, improvement of livelihoods for all and achievement of sustainable development in its social, economic and environmental dimensions, we can realise prosperity and protect our planet. " -- Sam Kutesa, the president of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.

"Parliaments will have to rise to the unprecedented challenge of driving change to deliver on the most ambitious global effort yet to create a new reality for our world based on peace, equality and prosperity." -- Saber Chowdhury, the president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

"It is the common aspiration of people of all countries to let peace prevail over war, development over poverty, and cooperation over confrontation. To listen to their call and meet their expectations is the common responsibilities of parliaments and parliamentarians of all countries." -- Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC).

"Let us work together to achieve gender equality in one generation." "Gender equality is at the heart of democracy, peace and sustainable development. It is a matter of human rights, human dignity, justice and good governance." -- Santi Bai Hanoomanjee, the speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius. Enditem

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