Islamabad – In a historic recognition for Pakistan’s Parliament, the National Assembly of Pakistan has been conferred the inaugural Green Mace Award during the main programme of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) being held in Cape Town, South Africa.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq received the prestigious award on September 17, 2026, on behalf of the Parliament of Pakistan in recognition of the National Assembly’s pioneering environmental initiatives, including its status as the world’s first 100% solar-powered Parliament, its transition towards a paperless parliamentary system and the under-developed water harvesting project at the Parliament House. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed his gratitude for the recognition and said that receiving the Inaugural Green Mace Award as Speaker of the National Assembly was a matter of great honour.
NA Speaker said the award was not merely an accolade but a recognition of the Parliament’ commitment to ensuring a cleaner and better environment for future generations. He emphasised that the journey towards becoming a Green Parliament was undertaken not for recognition but out of a sense of responsibility towards the people, children and generations who would inherit the Parliament in the future.
The National Assembly of Pakistan has transitioned to 100% solar energy, making it the world’s first Parliament to operate entirely on solar power. The National Assembly has also advanced towards a paperless working environment through the use of electronic tablets for parliamentary proceedings, reducing reliance on printed documents and promoting digital parliamentary practices.
The ongoing rainwater harvesting project at Parliament House is another important component of the National Assembly’s environment-friendly initiatives aimed at conserving and efficiently utilising water resources.
Participants of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference appreciated Pakistan’s Green Parliament initiative and its environmentally responsible measures, describing the National Assembly’s experience as a model for Commonwealth Parliaments seeking to advance sustainable and environment-friendly parliamentary practices.
