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Year: 2015

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133rd IPU Assembly highlights challenges of current refugee crisis

The 133rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly was convened in Geneva, Switzerland from 17 to 21 October bringing together nearly 700 parliamentarians from 135 parliaments, with 47 Speakers and some 220 women MPs. With the Parliament of Fiji re-joining the IPU, the Assembly saw the total IPU membership increase to 167 member parliaments. The key theme of the General Debate at the 133rd Assembly was, “The moral and economic imperative for fairer, smarter and more humane migration” on the difficult challenges facing many governments in addressing the current refugee crisis in Europe stemming from developments in the Middle East and North Africa.

Global IssuesHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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UK Delegation to Mexico highlights strong bilateral bonds

A six-member inter-parliamentary delegation led by Rt Hon Sir Simon Burns MP visited Mexico from 3-9 October 2015 to meet parliamentary counterparts in the Congress of the Union. The visit included wide-ranging exchanges with Mexican Senators, a meeting with party whips from the recently elected Chamber of Deputies, a visit to Puebla State for meetings with university students and the State Governor and a number of cultural and trade events associated with the joint UK/Mexico dual year being held throughout 2015.

AmericasInter-Parliamentary CooperationOutward Delegations
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A view on Human Rights in Mexico

Throughout the recent inter-parliamentary BGIPU visit to Mexico in October 2015, the issue of Human Rights was a prominent and constant theme. It is now one year since of the disappearance of the 43 students in Guererro and not far from our hotel the photographs of the murdered dark haired young men and women lined a central reservation of a main road in Mexico City. But we soon realised that this was only one, although a very well-known example, of human rights abuses in Mexico.

AmericasHuman RightsOutward Delegations
In the new Assembly Hall

UK parliamentary delegation sees advances in Angola

In early October 2015, a BGIPU delegation went to Angola for a five day working visit. The purpose of this visit was to learn more about the Angolan parliamentary system and to meet counterparts in the National Assemblies as well as members of the government from key ministries to discuss the challenges Angola is facing and how the UK and Angola can work more closely together. The delegation was led by Lord Steel and jincluded Pauline Latham OBE MP, John Mann MP, Baroness Hooper and Baroness Blackstone.

AfricaInter-Parliamentary CooperationOutward Delegations
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IPU welcomes UN adoption of the Global Goals

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has welcomed the adoption of a new sustainable development agenda for the world as a turning point in efforts to shape our future and commits to doing its utmost to help achieve success.  The IPU recognises the set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formally adopted at a UN Summit at its Headquarters in New York (25-27 September), as ground-breaking commitments to eradicate extreme hunger and poverty within 15 years, reduce inequalities and secure both prosperity and the planet for future generations.

Global IssuesInter-Parliamentary CooperationBGIPU Seminars & Events
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UK-Romania ties set to further strengthen

A UK delegation led by Bob Blackman MP visited Romania 21-25 September to meet parliamentary counterparts and explore mutual bilateral interests. The delegation included Lord Davies of Stamford, Lord Harrison of Chester, Stephen Pound MP, Graham Jones MP and Philip Hollobone MP.  Members concluded that there is perhaps too little knowledge in the UK about Romania but ties between both countries look set to strengthen, not least due to shared energy and defence interests and Romania’s increasing enthusiasm for English.

EuropeInter-Parliamentary CooperationOutward Delegations
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Exchange with Honduras highlights reform efforts and security challenges

The British Group hosted a visit from a Honduran parliamentary delegation, led by the President of the National Congress of Honduras, Mr Mauricio Oliva Herrera. UK counterparts were interested to hear the success of efforts in Honduras to address levels of violence and crime and provide more stable governance. The delegation called for increased UK trade and investment to enhance economic growth and new opportunities for youth. A visit to Northern Ireland provided an opportunity for Honduran MPs to reflect on Northern Ireland’s experiences and similar challenges they face in addressing conflict issues and advancing police reform.

AmericasInter-Parliamentary CooperationInward Delegations
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IPU President marks International Day of Democracy

The IPU President says democracy is only as strong as the political participation of citizens and this must be increased for world peace, social cohesion and development, says the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).  Marking the International Day of Democracy on 15 September, IPU is calling for a major stepping-up of efforts to involve the public more deeply in formal political processes and institutions, including parliaments. It is also urging parliaments to be more open and accessible to their citizens, and representative of society as a whole.

Global IssuesInter-Parliamentary CooperationIPU Activities & Conferences
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Parliamentary visit from Ukrainian Rada further strengthening UK-Ukraine relations

Following the successful outward visit to Kiev in February 2015, BGIPU hosted a delegation of Ukrainian parliamentarians, representing the different factions of the current coalition in the Ukrainian Rada, in Westminster during the week of 7th September 2015. The intensive but productive two day working programme included meetings with the Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committees, FCO Minister Rt. Hon David Lidington MP, a Cross-Whitehall Roundtable and MOD officials.

EuropeInter-Parliamentary CooperationInward Delegations
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Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament

BGIPU will be facilitating the participation of the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP, and the Lord Speaker, the Rt Hon Baroness D’Souza CMG, at the 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament at the UN Headquarters in New York from 31 August to 2 September. The Conference, organized by IPU every five years and supported by the UN, will adopt a declaration which will feed into the UN SDGs Summit.  The Lord Speaker will also participate in the 10th Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament prior to the conference.

Global IssuesInter-Parliamentary CooperationIPU Activities & Conferences
 

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Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East Global Issues

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Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East Global Issues

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Inward Delegations Outward Delegations Executive Committee IPU Activities & Conferences BGIPU Seminars & Events APPGs

ACTIVITY

Inward Delegations Outward Delegations Executive Committee IPU Activities & Conferences BGIPU Seminars & Events APPGs

THEME

Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Human Rights Peace & Security Trade and Sustainable Development Political Empowerment

THEME

Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Human Rights Peace & Security Trade and Sustainable Development Political Empowerment

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YEAR

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