Lucknow, November 7 : Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chief Justices, Judges, legal luminaries and other high dignitaries from 61 countries of the world participating in the '24th International Conference of Chief Justices of the world' have called upon the Heads of Nations of the World to get together for a world level meeting held without any delay and discuss global issues like a clean environment, formation of a New World Order and a safe future for mankind. The outcome of the five days of deliberations of this international conference was released in the form of 'Lucknow Declaration' today at CMS Gomti Nagar Campus I auditorium.

            The Lucknow Declaration reads :

Realizing that a large section of people around the world are deprived of basic human rights and are living in abject poverty and a large number of children especially in poor countries are exposed to various abuses and are deprived of their rights as children;

Believing in the ancient Indian ethos of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam', that is the whole world is a family, global peace is of paramount importance for achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals aimed at the benefit and development of everyone in the global family for a bright future and for human advancement;

Also Realizing that in this era of globalization inter-dependence and cooperation among nations is imperative, as proved during COVID-19 pandemic and may need to be so in case of any such calamity in future;

Also believing that conflicts in some parts of the world presently are having adverse international ramifications and have created apprehension of a large scale war and nuclear holocaust, which may bring unprecedented death and destruction and that resorting to violence and war is not an option to resolve disputes and claims; and that large resources are spent in the name of defence by various countries, which can be better applied for the welfare of humanity;

Believing  that climate change  is an existential threat for humanity which must be mitigated as well as adapted to and serious efforts are imperative to limit global warming targets agreed to in Conference of Parties; and that it is incumbent on the developed nations who are 'historical polluters' to fulfill their promise in regard to climate funding; and

Acknowledging that the United Nations Organization is working for peace, human rights, social and child uplift, development and in other fields through its various agencies, but lacks the authority and essential mechanism to get the decisions of the General Assembly implemented including reducing ethnic and regional conflicts and wars, requiring amendments in the U.N. Charter after due review thereof to suit the present day needs;

NOW, THEREFORE, we the Chief Justices, Judges and legal luminaries, at this 24th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World on Article 51 of the Constitution of India, organized by the City Montessori School, Lucknow, India from 3rd to 6th November, 2023, do HEREBY REAFFIRM the Resolutions passed in the previously held conferences of Chief Justices and ALSO RE-AFFIRM the centrality of the Rule of Law and independence of judiciary, AND FURTHER RESOLVE:-

1.         That Members of Judiciary of the world be urged

            a)    to uphold the Rule of Law and to promote respect for dignity of all persons which is the basis of all fundamental human rights and fundamental freedoms;

            b)    to advise on the need for establishing an International Anti-Corruption court to deal with cases of grand corruption;

            c)    to motivate respective national governments to take steps to introduce cross-cultural and global citizenship education in all schools; and

            d)    to motivate political leadership of their respective countries to make earnest efforts for the establishment of effective global governance structure.

2.         That the Heads of State and Heads of Government of all countries of the World be urged:-

            a)    to take concrete steps to move the world body for review of the U.N. Charter as required under Article 109 of  the Charter itself, so as to strengthen the authority, prestige and power of the United Nations enabling itself to reduce global conflicts and wars and for implementing the rule of law;

            b)    to take urgent steps to reduce global warming as required in agreements and commitments made at the U.N. Climate change conferences; and urge developed nations to fulfill their promise in regard to climate funding in a time bound manner and to consider the need for the establishment of an International Environment Court.

            c)    to hold high level meetings of Heads of State/Government to work for establishment of effective global governance structure for sustainable world order and for democratically elected World Parliament to enact enforceable world law, leading to establishment of World Executive and World Court of Justice; and

            d)    to take steps for introducing instructions in citizenship education, peace education and cross-cultural understanding in all schools of their respective countries which will produce responsible global citizens.

3. That the United Nations be urged:-

            a)    to expedite review of the U.N. Charter, including reform of the Security Council; to make it a more effective, democratic and representative organization.

            b)    to consider the case for establishing a World Parliamentary Assembly.

            c)    to make efforts for the prevention of terrorism, extremism  and wars, and for elimination of weapons of mass destruction; and

            d)    to consider the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Court.