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 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 […]
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 […]
On 11 February 2021, BGIPU convened a virtual bilateral meeting between UK and Belgian Parliamentarians. The meeting was moderated by Damien Moore MP, Chair of the Belgium APPG. In attendance from the UK side was: Baroness Hooper, Chris Loder MP, the Duke of Wellington, Ian Paisley MP, Lord Balfe, Lord Kirkhope and Margaret Ferrier MP. […]
BGIPU hosted an exchange chaired by our Executive Committee member Lord Kirkhope for UK parliamentarians with the Ambassador of France to the UK, HE Ambassador Catherine Colonna, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Germany to the UK, Ms Julia Gross, which covered a wide range of issues including the shared benefits […]
To provide guidance in what can sometimes be a challenging and even dangerous space, the IPU has published a new Social Media Guide for Parliaments and Parliamentarians. The guide is designed as a practical tool on how to use social media in a safe and measured way while getting the maximum benefit from it. The IPU […]
Chaired by the BGIPU Treasurer Alex Sobel MP, UK parliamentarians participated in an informative virtual roundtable briefing with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the UK, HE Mr Erlan Idrissov, the Ambassador of the Krygyz Republic to the UK, HE Mr Edil Baisalov, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the UK, HE Mr Tulga Narkhuu and a […]
The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CHRP) is very concerned about the situation of several Members of the Myanmar Parliament who are under house arrest or whose movements are being severely curtailed. The IPU strongly condemned the coup in a statement issued last week. The CHRP calls for the immediate release of the […]
Op-Ed by IPU President and Secretary General On 6 January 2021, the world watched in horror as a mob waged an outrageous assault on the US Capitol building. Congress was in session, performing the usually calm and orderly ritual of confirming the election results and certifying the victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Democracy […]
The IPU strongly condemns the military coup in Myanmar on the day the new Parliament (the Hluttaw) was due to reopen. We call for the immediate release of those detained unlawfully and for respect of democratic institutions. Any disputes over the outcome of the 8 November general election should be resolved through established legal mechanisms […]
