Introducing the Declaration for its adoption, Mr M Traor, Speaker of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso, stated that the presiding officers intended to "convey this document to our parliaments, as appropriate, and to urge them to do everything possible to ensure that it is followed up in a practical and effective manner. We also request our governments to bring this declaration to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly for debate. Finally, we call upon the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union to seek ways of strengthening their institutional links and practical cooperation."