Year: 2020

SG Martin Chungong welcomes IPU President Duarte Pacheco to IPU Headquiarters in geneva in December 2020 amind huge challnges for the IPU, national parliaments and global community created by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

IPU President & SG celebrate resilience of democracy, its values and institutions in 2020.

2020 has been a year unlike any other. The coronavirus pandemic has thrown the world into turmoil, with the resulting lockdowns, quarantines and border closures bringing economies to a standstill. It has been endless; as societies sacrifice freedoms to subdue one wave, on comes another. And another. Of course, the other challenges facing the world […]

On 15 December, BGIPU hosted a bilateral meeting between parliamentarians from the UK and Uzbekistan. The meeting was co-chaired by Alex Sobel MP, BGIPU Treasurer, and Andrew Bridgen MP, Uzbekistan APPG Chair.

Strong interest in strengthening relations between parliaments in UK and Uzbekistan

On 15 December, BGIPU hosted a bilateral meeting between parliamentarians from the UK and Uzbekistan. The meeting was co-chaired by Alex Sobel MP, BGIPU Treasurer, and Andrew Bridgen MP, Uzbekistan APPG Chair. They were joined by The Lord Bowness CBE DL, Catherine West MP, Nigel Mills MP, The Lord Balfe, The Lord Sheikh, The Baroness […]

This meeting gave UK Parliamentarians an important opportunity to engage with both Ambassadors, highlighting the importance of dialogue and engagement  with the UK's like-minded and nearest neighbours in the post-Brexit period. 

Virtual briefing from Ambassadors of Denmark and Italy on key issues

On 14 December, BGIPU hosted a European Ambassador Roundtable which was moderated by BGIPU Vice-Chair Ian Liddell-Grainger MP. This virtual roundtable was a great opportunity for UK Parliamentarians to hear from Ambassadors and ask about recent developments in their countries. The presentations were given by HE Mr Raffaele Trombetta, Ambassador of Italy to the UK […]

The IPU has released its yearly figures on the human rights abuses experienced by parliamentarians around the world. The numbers confirm an upward trend of reported violations against parliamentarians.

IPU figures show increasing violence against MPs, especially women

In the lead-up to Human Rights Day on 10 December, the IPU has released its yearly figures on the human rights abuses experienced by parliamentarians around the world. The numbers confirm an upward trend of reported violations against parliamentarians. They also reveal an uptick in acts of intimidation and violence, with women MPs suffering more […]

On 3 December, BGIPU hosted an Asia-Pacific London Ambassadors Roundtable event which featured presentations from H.E. Ms Enna Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, and H.E. Mr Tran Ngoc An, Ambassador of Vietnam.

Ambassadors of ROK and Vietnam brief UK parliamentarians

On 3 December, BGIPU hosted an Asia-Pacific London Ambassadors Roundtable event which featured presentations from H.E. Ms Enna Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, and H.E. Mr Tran Ngoc An, Ambassador of Vietnam. The event was chaired by BGIPU Executive Committee Member and Vietnam APPG Chair, Wayne David MP, and was well-attended by a […]

The meeting gave clear acknowledgement of the importance of maintaining valuable relationships between Parliamentarians and the diplomatic community.

MP/Peers convene Central Americas Roundtable with Ambassadors

On 30 November, BGIPU hosted a Central America Roundtable which was chaired by BGIPU Executive Committee Member and Chair of the APPG for Central America, Andrew Rosindell MP. Members received briefings from HE Rafael Ortiz Fábrega, Ambassador of Costa Rica; Ms Gabriela María Ramírez Lazo, Deputy Ambassador of El Salvador; Ms Olga Maria Pérez Tuna, […]