Year: 2021

Marking IWD 2021, the meeting had a timely focus on the importance of inclusive parliaments in the response to the gender impacts of the global pandemic, not least with the recent release of the Centenary Action Group’s report on the Remotely Representative Parliament: Lesson Learning from the Hybrid Parliament written by Dr Jess Smith with Professor Sarah Childs. Copyright UK Parliament/ Jessica Taylor

BGIPU Chair leads parliamentary event marking International Women’s Day 2021

On Tuesday 9th March, in association with the Women in Parliament APPG, BGIPU hosted an event to celebrate International Women’s Day. BGIPU Chair Harriett Baldwin MP moderated the esteemed panel which included academics Dr Jessica Smith and Professor Sarah Childs who were joined by Clerk Assistant, Sarah Davies, Chair of the Procedure Committee, The Rt […]

UK parliamentary launch of ‘Assuring our Common Future: Parliamentary Handbook on Disarmament for Security and Sustainable Development’ was chaired by BGIPU Vice-Chair, Rt Hon Baroness D’Souza.

UK launch of Handbook on Disarmament for Security & Sustainable Development

On 9th March, BGIPU co-hosted with Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (PNND) and the APPG for Future Generations, the UK parliamentary launch of ‘Assuring our Common Future: Parliamentary Handbook on Disarmament for Security and Sustainable Development’. The meeting was chaired by BGIPU Vice-Chair, Rt Hon Baroness D’Souza and presentations were provided by Lord Hannay […]

2020 elections in New Zealand saw an unprecedented increase in the numbers of women and traditionally under-represented groups. © Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images via AFP

Proportion of women MPs globally inches up but gender parity still far off

Following elections in 2020, the global proportion of women in parliament reached a record 25.5 per cent, representing an increase of 0.6 points compared with 2019, according to the IPU’s latest Women in Parliament report. The IPU has tracked women’s participation in parliament for decades, allowing it to measure progress and setbacks. Every year, the IPU […]

Mothers and children receiving UNICEF support after being displaced by the conflict in Tigray: Picture Credit: UNICEF Ethiopia

MSF reports to MPs/Peers on humanitarian crisis in Tigray

On 4th March, BGIPU co-hosted a briefing with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other humanitarian players on the Humanitarian Situation in Tigray. Four months into the crisis, the worst violence may be over, but there is a tangible risk that without political stability Tigray could turn into another protracted humanitarian crisis. The meeting was chaired […]

The theme of fighting corruption was designed to ensure a parliamentary contribution to the Political Declaration of the UNGA Special Session against corruption (UNGASS 2021), taking place in June. The Hearing was opened by IPU President, Duarte Pacheco, and the President of UNGA, Volkan Bozkir with a keynote address by the President of Transparency International, Delia Ferreira Rubio.

Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the UN: Parliamentarians focus on fighting corruption

On 17 and 18 February, the IPU and the United Nations brought together some 400 parliamentarians, as well as diplomats, representatives from civil society and experts for a virtual sitting of the Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations. This year’s theme, Fighting corruption to restore trust in government and improve development prospects, was designed to […]

On 17 February, UK and Lithuanian parliamentarians met virtually chaired by the Lithuania APPG Chair, The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP from the UK side and by Mr Zygimantas Pavilionis, Chair of the Lithuanian parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, from the Lithuanian side.

Close relations between UK and Lithuania reaffirmed in bilateral exchange

On 17 February, UK and Lithuanian parliamentarians met virtually to discuss bilateral relations, regional dynamics and their respective responses to COVID-19. The meeting was chaired by the Lithuania APPG Chair, The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP from the UK side and by Mr Zygimantas Pavilionis, Chair of the Lithuanian parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, from […]

The hearing will be opened by IPU President Duarte Pacheco and H. E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the General Assembly.

Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations on Fighting Corruption

This year’s IPU-UN Annual Parliamentary Hearing, entitled Fighting corruption to restore trust in government and improve development prospects, is designed to ensure a parliamentary contribution to the Political Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session against corruption (UNGASS 2021) which will be held from 17 to 18 February 2021. The hearing will be […]