Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been honoured with the Mahatma Gandhi Award for World Unity, underscoring his global reputation as a champion of good governance, peace-building, and international diplomacy.

The prestigious award was presented during the 26th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World (ICCJW), held in Lucknow, India, from November 19 to 24, 2025.

Conference organisers praised the Speaker for “his unstinting support to children’s appeal for world unity and world peace, and for a safe and secure future for over 2.5 billion children of the world and generations yet to be born.”

The award was received on Speaker Bagbin’s behalf by Ambassador Jonathan Rexford Magnussen.

Presenting the honour, Prof. Sandeep Srivastava, Project Leader of the ICCJW, lauded Speaker Bagbin’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace and protecting children from the devastating effects of conflict.

Prof. Srivastava noted that the world urgently needs leaders like Speaker Bagbin, who “secrete the milk of love and kindness to nourish children into becoming the Mahatma Gandhis, Kwame Nkrumahs, and Nelson Mandelas of tomorrow.”

Ambassador Magnussen, in remarks delivered on behalf of Speaker Bagbin, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed the Speaker’s dedication to advancing global unity and peace.

He highlighted Mr Bagbin’s towering influence on the international governance stage, describing him as a “global parliamentary colossus” and a respected peace broker.

Speaker Bagbin currently serves on the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Task Force mandated to help resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, an assignment that reflects his long-standing record in conflict mediation and democratic leadership.

This year’s ICCJW focused on rising global conflicts, climate-induced crises, and deepening governance fractures. The discussions were framed against alarming findings in the UNHCR Global Trends Report (2024), which revealed that more than 123.2 million people had been displaced globally due to conflict.

The Conference concluded with a call for a renewed global security framework, urging the United Nations to draw inspiration from Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, which promotes international peace, respect for international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

A major highlight of the event was the conferment of awards on world leaders who embody efforts toward peace and unity. Among the honourees were India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, and Ghana’s Speaker, Alban Bagbin.

The Mahatma Gandhi Award for World Unity adds to a growing list of international honours bestowed on Speaker Bagbin, further cementing his role as a distinguished statesman and leading advocate for global democratic development.