Region: Global Issues

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IPU perspectives reflected in UN Ocean Conference outcomes

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.

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IPU mobilizes parliaments in support of global health agenda

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”. 

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Engaging parliamentary staff in the work of the IPU

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.

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Study on climate change legislation and litigation launched

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.

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2016 Annual Report on the activities of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

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.

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World’s MPs to tackle rising economic, political and social inequalities

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.

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World MPs in drive to end extreme inequalities

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.

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IPU at CSW 61: Empowering Parliaments to empower Women

From 13-17 March, BGIPU sent a parliamentary delegation to the 61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations in New York. “Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work” was the 2017 priority theme of this year’s Commission, with parliamentarians from over 150 countries convening to debate the issue.

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New IPU Map shows women’s representation in politics stagnates

The number of women in executive government and in parliament worldwide has stagnated, with only marginal improvements since 2015, according to the data contained in the Women in Politics 2017 Map launched today by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women. The Map, which presents global rankings for women in the executive and parliamentary branches of government as of 1 January 2017, shows slow progress towards gender equality in these areas at regional and national levels. 

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More ambition needed to enhance women’s representation in parliament

More ambitious measures and stronger political commitment are needed to enhance women’s representation in parliament and keep apace with the significant progress achieved worldwide over the last decade, says the IPU.  “Women in Parliament in 2016: The year in review” released ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March calls for renewed momentum to ensure women’s voices everywhere are included in decision-making processes underscoring that women’s political empowerment cannot be taken for granted.