Through its programme of activities, the BGIPU seeks to engage Parliamentarians in key global issues and works to expand awareness and understanding of foreign relations and the contribution to be made by the UK Parliament to consolidate parliamentary democracy worldwide.
Here you can read the reports of our activities, including our Outward Delegations, IPU conferences and events and inward visits to Westminster.
You can search for specific reports by using keywords, themes, categories or date using the fields on the right.
The annual 2012 session of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO was held in Geneva on 15-16 November 2012. An interactive debate with exceptional speakers took place on the following issues: Trade as a tool of economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation; Analysing 21st century trade challenges; Trade in services: time for political decisions.
Jointly hosted by the British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, the conference took place in the Houses of Parliament 6-8 November 2012, and was attended by parliamentarians from 50 countries.
The Delegation of 5 Parliamentarians led by the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo visited Westminster 29 October – 2 November. The delegation met with Mr Speaker, the Lord Speaker, Minister for Europe, David Lidington MP and a number of UK Parliamentarians to discuss the strong support the UK has given to Kosovo with regards to international recognition, the route towards European integration and possibilities to enhance further the UK-Kosovo bilateral relationship.
The 127th IPU Assembly in Quebec City from 21 to 26 October 2012 was attended by more than 1300 participants from over 120 parliaments including over 40 Speakers a strong UK representation to the 127 IPU Assembly in Quebec 21 – 26 October was led by Robert Walter MP, Chairman of the British Group. The 5 day conference included discussions on the use of social media to enhance citizen engagement and democracy, Parliaments’ role in safeguarding civilian lives and innovative finance for sustainable development.
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This was the first BGIPU delegation to Colombia since 2003, and the timing could hardly have been more opportune, with the peace process between the Government and the FARC rebels starting on 5th October. Apart from the peace process, the delegation’s primary interests were in boosting bilateral trade and investment, learning more about joint efforts to combat drugs, Colombia’s efforts to preserve its unique environment, human rights in the country and deepening our inter-parliamentary ties.
The Steering Comittee for the IPU Parliamentary Conference was held in Geneva on 25 September 2012. The meeting threw up some very interesting issues throughout the day including; Should the WTO continue? Should we continue to support Multilateralism? Was the proliferation of Institutions holding up trade liberalisation? Were the voices of the Business community too absent from the WTO? The ever changing nature of Trade. The Importance of Domestic Competition Laws. Has Global Co-operation Failed?
The international Day of Democracy 2012 was marked by statements and events from world leaders and politicians across the world and the BGIPU also held a series of events in Westminster to mark the occasion as part of BGIPU week in Parliament. The Chair of the BGIPU, Robert Walter MP, gave a statement to mark the Day at a reception for Diplomatic staff and parliamentarians on 11 September.
The BGIPU and the Secretariat will from time to time organise fundraising events for charities and projects visited in their work. On 12 September the team organised a “Pub Quiz” to raise funds for two childrens charities in Uganda.
The BGIPU, in cooperation with the All Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group co-hosted a discussion on ‘Defending the Rights of Parliamentarians’ Chaired by Robert Walter MP – Chair of the BGIPU. The discussion took place during BGIPU week as part of the BGIPU marking the International Day of Democracy.
In the first of the series of events, Mr Speaker and the Lord Speaker, along with Members of the Executive Committee of the BGIPU met to commemorate the work of the co-founder of the IPU, and first British citizen to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Sir William Randal Cremer.
