Phnom penh: Parliamentarians have been urged to move beyond their traditional legislative role and take a more active part in confronting cross-border crises affecting people's lives. At the Second Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference (ISC-2), parliamentary leaders called for stronger parliamentary diplomacy and collective action to address challenges ranging from economic instability and public health threats to climate change and geopolitical tensions. According to Nam News Network, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that governments and parliaments have distinct constitutional responsibilities but share a common purpose: serving the people, preserving peace, and creating the conditions for lasting prosperity. He noted that when formal diplomatic channels face strain, parliamentary dialogue can help maintain communication and rebuild trust, as he delivered his keynote address at the conference's opening in Phnom Penh. Cambodia is hosting the conference from August 26 to 28, jointly organized by its Senate and National Assembly under the theme "Solidarity for Peace and Shared Prosperity: Strengthening International Law and Resolving Conflicts Peacefully." Malaysia's Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, is also attending the three-day conference. Pakistan Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani echoed the call, describing parliaments as bridge builders capable of sustaining dialogue when conventional diplomatic efforts falter. He emphasized that parliaments shape the future by building trust and are not mere bystanders. Gillani, who served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2008 to 2012, is the founding chairman of the ISC. Pakistan hosted the inaugural conference in 2025. In a recorded video message, former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon warned that climate change, transnational crime, and geopolitical tensions were causing immense human suffering. He stressed that no country, even with the best resources, can address today's problems alone. Multilateralism matters, and parl iamentarians can play an active role in addressing these problems so that people can continue to live peacefully in a divided world.