Parliamentary leaders from some 120 countries gathered at the United Nations Office at Geneva for the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, a summit convened every five years by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in partnership with the United Nations (UN). The Conference, regarded as the world’s top parliamentary forum, was held from 29 to 31 July 2025. […]
A delegation to Mongolia consisting of myself, Rt Hon Baroness Northover, Tan Dhesi MP, Phil Brickell MP, James Wild MP, Lord Cromwell, Dominique Rees MBE (BGIPU Staff) and Joe Perry (BGIPU Staff) flew from London via Istanbul on Saturday 21st June, arriving in Ulaanbaatar at 07.20 on Sunday 22nd. After transferring to the hotel, the […]
The digital thermometer indicated 34 degrees in the ger (a traditional home typically used by nomadic Mongolian people) district in Ulanbattar on a hot summer’s day, a far cry from the -35 degree temperatures experienced in the winter. To keep warm in the coldest capital in the world many families – half of whom are […]
In a significant diplomatic gesture, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan presented the distinguished “Dustlik” (Order of Friendship) to Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General, during the 150th IPU Assembly, held in Tashkent from 5 to 9 April 2025. The award, which is the highest to be awarded to a foreigner, recognizes Martin Chungong’s exceptional role in deepening […]
BGIPU Chair, Fabian Hamilton MP, said attending the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent was both an honour and a humbling reminder of the essential role parliamentarians play in shaping the world’s response to our shared challenges. In his first time leading the UK delegation, Mr Hamilton MP said he was very […]
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has successfully concluded its 150th Assembly in Tashkent, hosted by the Parliament of Uzbekistan. This landmark Assembly gathered nearly 1400 delegates, including some 740 members of parliament from approximately 130 countries. The presence of over 100 Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament underscored the increasing recognition of parliamentary diplomacy as a vital complement […]
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is pleased to announce its new gender campaign for 2025, Achieving gender equality, action by action. This initiative marks a pivotal year, in which the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the global blueprint for gender equality, is marking its 30th anniversary. The campaign aims to mobilize the global parliamentary community to […]
A major new study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in partnership with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), has exposed the pervasive nature of sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments across the Asia-Pacific region. The report, Sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments in the Asia-Pacific region, is […]
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will hold its 150th Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 5 to 9 April 2025, hosted by the Parliament of Uzbekistan. The overall theme Parliamentary action for social development and justice will cover topics such as eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, fostering social inclusion, and increasing the participation of marginalized groups in decision-making. Key […]
A BGIPU cross party delegation visit to Indonesia took place during the February recess between 15 and 21 February with representatives from both Houses of Parliament. As delegation leader I was joined by John Slinger MP, Chris Webb MP, Graham Stuart MP, Baroness Northover, Lord Rennard and Joe Perry from the BGIPU secretariat. The key […]
