The BGIPU Chair, Nigel Evans MP, speaking to members of the diplomatic corps following the State Opening of Parliament on 21 June, expressed appreciation for the work Ambassadors and their embassies do in support of inter-parliamentary dialogue and highlighted the importance in finding mutual understanding among nations in an increasingly uncertain international landscape.
Vital to our survival and providing livelihoods for millions of people, the Ocean is severely threatened by climate change, pollution and unsustainable practices. The UN held a Conference on the Ocean from 5-9 June to address these issues with Member States adopting a Call for Action to protect the ocean. In February, the IPU and the UN held an Annual Parliamentary Hearing that focused on the ocean and provide a parliamentary component to the preparatory process for the conference; several of its recommendations were included in the Call to Action.
As part of its work on health and development, the IPU participated in the World Health Assembly (WHA) with the IPU Secretary General addressing the WHA plenary debate on 24 May on the contribution of MPs to the global health agenda and their key role in achieving the health-related SDGs. Additionally, on 29 May, the IPU organized a parliamentary side event at the WHA, “Bridging the Gap between Evidence and Policy: The Role of Parliamentarians in Advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
The IPU held an information seminar for senior parliamentary staff from 16 to 19 May at the IPU headquarters in Geneva to provide more in-depth understanding of ther IPU, its functioning and main activities. Parliamentary staff from a total of 27 countries attended including from the UK with sessions on the IPU’s history and key developments, the Organization’s main bodies and areas of work, the communications strategy and budget.
A study entitled “Global trends in climate change legislation and litigation” launched on 9 May during the Conference on Climate Change in Bonn finds countries across the globe have adopted more than 1,200 laws to limit climate change—an impressive rise from only 60 laws two decades ago. Courts are complementing the actions of legislators through rulings on the implementation of existing climate laws, and two-thirds of their rulings have either strengthened or maintained climate change regulation.
The IPU Annual Report offers a summary of the salient events and meetings. Richly illustrated with photographs, this publication provides a vital overview of the activities of the world organization of parliaments. The final section covers more institutional aspects such as financial records, the composition of the standing committees and the list of members.
Taking decisive actions to end economic, political and social inequality will be the focus of deliberations for the more than 650 MPs from 132 countries meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 1-5 April 2017. Parliamentarians, including 53 Speakers of Parliament, will make concrete proposals on a range of issues, from ending rising inequality to promoting women’s access to financing, during the 136th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) (#IPU136) hosted by the Bangladesh Parliament.
Expressing grave concern with the extreme political, social and economic inequalities prevalent in the world, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has called for immediate action to reverse this trend and leave no one behind. In a declaration issued at the close of the 136th IPU Assembly in Dhaka, Bangladesh, IPU Members highlighted that “extreme inequalities” come at a high cost to society, stalling economic growth, undermining the democratic process and social cohesion and increasing the risk of violence and insecurity.
The global parliamentary community has called for urgent international action to save millions of people from famine and drought in parts of Africa and Yemen. In an emergency item adopted 4 April at the 136th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Organization’s Members committed to pressuring their governments to fund humanitarian relief operations to avert this crisis.
The IPU strongly condemns the attack on the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 22 March. We deplore the senselessness of the violence and the extensive number of casualties. We also convey our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. In a letter to the Speakers of the UK House of Lords and House of Commons, IPU President Saber Chowdhury and Secretary General Martin Chungong have expressed deep dismay at this gratuitous attack on a bastion of democracy and conveyed the solidarity of the global parliamentary community.
