The event was held in Islamabad.
Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev represented the upper house of Russia’s parliament at the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC), which was held on 11−12 November in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Addressing the plenary session, the Senator extended the Federation Council’s condolences to the Pakistani authorities and conference organisers on recent terrorist attack in the capital of Pakistan. He pointed out that Russia strongly condemns all manifestations of terrorism.
Speaking on the main theme of the event – Peace, Security and Development – Konstantin Kosachev emphasised the importance and relevance of this issue. “The ongoing acute international crisis has highlighted the connection between these notions. Without peace and security, there is no comprehensive development. Without equal conditions for the development of each nation, there will be no peace or security,” he said.
Konstantin Kosachev expressed his belief that transitioning to a system where peace, security and development will be guaranteed is impossible without overcoming a number of problems that lie at the roots of modern conflicts. “These include contradictions between the principles of international law, in particular, the principles of self-determination of nations and territorial integrity of states; the principle of indivisible security and the right of nations to choose military alliances, which seem to operate outside the law.”
In addition, the lack of mechanisms for ensuring the sovereign equality of states preserves some of the legacy of colonialism, such as the nations’ inability to freely choose their development paths. And lastly, there are interethnic and interfaith contradictions, which are sometimes aggravated by the authorities’ actions.
“This underpins the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference, which has been established at the initiative of the Pakistani authorities,” the Deputy Speaker pointed out in conclusion of his address.
Konstantin Kosachev held a meeting with Chairman of the Senate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the conference. They expressed satisfaction with the high level of ties reached between the Russian and Pakistani parliaments over the past two years. In their opinion, these ties were boosted by last year’s visit of a Federation Council delegation led by its Speaker to Pakistan.
The senators discussed a broad range of issue on the bilateral cooperation agenda, in particular, economic and transport cooperation, as well as possible visa facilitation and other issues.
Konstantin Kosachev has also met with ISC Secretary General Ek Nath Dhakal.
Konstantin Kosachev expressed readiness to promote cooperation between Russian senators and the ISC and support for the key ideas reflected in the communique adopted following the meetings in Islamabad.
The Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) was established in April 2025 by the speakers of parliament of 26 countries. Russia was invited to attend the ISC meeting in Pakistan as a guest.