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 […]
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 IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has renewed its calls to national authorities to bring to account those involved in the past abuse of members of parliament, including murder. Although some of the cases are more than 10 years old, the Committee has not set them aside until investigations have established the […]
On 24 February BGIPU hosted a virtual bilateral meeting between UK and Swiss Parliamentarians. The meeting was Chaired by Andrew Rosindell MP, Chair of the Swiss APPG. In attendance from the UK side were Tim Loughton MP, Jonathan Djanogly MP, Seema Malhotra MP and Rob Butler MP. From the Swiss Parliament BGIPU welcomed National Councilors […]
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 […]
