CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 18, 2026: Around 150 people, including parliamentarians from five countries, gathered in Cape Town for a high level roundtable on the role of law and national legislation in preventing conflict and supporting lasting peace.
The roundtable, titled ‘Cessation of War as a Legislative Priority’, was held at the Centre for the Book in Gardens on the sidelines of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
The event was co hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and the Office of the Presidency of South Africa.
Participants included eight parliamentarians from Tuvalu, Northern Ireland, Seychelles, Pakistan and South Africa, alongside youth representatives, religious leaders, civil society representatives and journalists.
Discussions centred on HWPL’s Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which proposes legal and institutional mechanisms aimed at preventing conflict and maintaining peace. Parliamentarians considered how national lawmakers could incorporate peace related principles into legislation and public policy.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Hon. Clifford Elford, said governments should consider the long term costs associated with conflict when setting national priorities.
“budgets should be prioritized for education and health sectors rather than post-war reconstruction costs.”
Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu, Hon. Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, described the DPCW as a possible framework for moving societies away from armed conflict.
“the DPCW is a tool for transitioning armed conflict into dialogue and cooperation,”
He also pointed to the need for the proposed framework to be implemented.
The participating parliamentarians discussed ways the DPCW could be reflected within their respective national legal systems.
Twelve Letters of Support for the DPCW were submitted during the Cape Town gathering. All parliamentarians attending the roundtable also signed a Commitment Statement expressing their intention to continue discussions and pursue initiatives related to the declaration in their respective countries.
The Cape Town meeting formed part of international peace activities marking the anniversary of the September 18 HWPL World Peace Summit.
Related activities were also held in the Republic of Korea from September 17 to 19 under the theme “We Are the Living Heritage.” The Global Youth Peace Program brought together young people from different parts of the world, who visited historical sites, participated in cross cultural discussions and considered practical approaches to peacebuilding.
Cape Town also featured as an example of community based peace activities through the ‘Peace My City’ initiative, which brings together residents, young people, schools and religious leaders.
Activities under the initiative include environmental clean up campaigns, stakeholder dialogues, recycled art competitions, HWPL Peace Education workshops and monthly interfaith gatherings.
According to HWPL, the organisation had approximately 630,000 members worldwide as of August 2026.
People and organisations interested in participating in HWPL peace initiatives, international campaigns connected to the September 18 World Peace Summit or membership can obtain further information through the organisation’s official website.
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