Theme: Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation

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IPU Secretary General visits UK Parliament to brief BGIPU

The Secretary General of IPU, Martin Chungong, visited London on 12 July 2016 at the invitation of the BGIPU Chair, Mr Nigel Evans MP, and IPU Executive Committee member, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, to brief the BGIPU Executive Committee on IPU priorities as identified in its Draft IPU Strategy 2071-21. During his visit he also met the Chair of the International Development Committee and FCO Minister David Lidington among other high-level calls.

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Roundtable meeting on challenges facing the Balkans region

On the 5 July 2016, BGIPU hosted a roundtable on the Balkans, bringing together Members from both Houses and Ambassadors from the region. Chaired by BGIPU Vice-Chair and Foreign Affairs Committee Member Mike Gapes MP, participants exchanged views on the challenges facing Balkan countries and the threat posed by extremism and terrorist groups such as Daesh.  Members appreciated the opportunity to hear from representatives about the current political situation and challenges in their respective countries.

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World e-Parliament Conference 2016 concludes in Chile

The World e-Parliament Conference, held in the Chamber of Deputies in Valparaiso, Chile, featured the launch of the World e-Parliament Report 2016 and discussion of its key findings. During the conference, policy and technical tracks provided a forum for participants to exchange experiences on how ICT helps to improve representation, law-making and oversight, and to increase parliament’s openness, accessibility, accountability and effectiveness.  The event drew just over 200 participants from more than 50 countries.

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BGIPU sponsors EU Referendum Observation Mission

With the support of BGIPU’s Executive Committee, comprising members on all sides of the debate, BGIPU hosted a EU referendum observation mission from 22-24 June 2016. With outstanding assistance from staff of the Electoral Commission and borough polling officials, BGIPU welcomed parliamentarians and officials from IPU member parliaments in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Switzerland for a mission which responded to the strong interest of counterpart MPs to gain insights into the UK’s historic EU referendum on 23 June.

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IPU deeply shocked at killing of British MP

Inter-Parliamentary Union SG Martin Chungong has paid tribute to Jo Cox MP saying “Like many MPs around the world, Jo Cox has worked tirelessly for democracy, peace and human rights….It is heartbreaking to learn that she has been killed while carrying out her democratic mandate. Violence has no place in any democracy.  On behalf of IPU and the global parliamentary community, I would like to pay tribute to a woman who embodied all that a parliamentarian should be – compassionate, courageous and committed.”

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Parliamentary Conference on the WTO

More than 400 parliamentary delegates from around 60 countries attended the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO, co-chaired by the IPU and the European Parliament. The event, held in Geneva on 13-14 June, covered a wide range of topics under the theme “What Future for the WTO?”  Parliamentarians raised a whole series of concerns – the need to champion stronger labour standards, environmental protection and the role trade can play in sustainable development.

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British Argentine APPG welcomes Senate delegation

With support from BGIPU, the British Argentine All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) hosted on 7 June at the Palace of Westminster a delegation from the Senate of Argentina led by the Provisional President of the Senate, Senator Frederico Pinedo and including Senator Lucila Crexell and Senator Carlos Espinola. The Chair of the British Argentine APPG, Mark Menzies MP, warmly welcomed the Senate delegation which had wide-ranging talks on bilateral and other issues with counterparts from both Houses of the UK Parliament.

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BGIPU/CPA UK Diplomatic Reception for State Opening

In partnership with CPA UK, BGIPU hosted its annual diplomatic reception on the occaision of the State Opening of Parliament on 18 May 2016. Speaking alongside his CPA UK counterpart, Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, the BGIPU Chair, Nigel Evans MP, took the opportunity to express gratitude for the support of the diplomatic corps for the work of UK inter-parliamentary bodies as well as thanking a representative of the FCO, PPS Pauline Latham MP, for the support provided by UK Ambassadors and diplomats abroad and FCO staff at home.

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Estonia visit reinforces its importance in future of Europe

This was the first BGIPU visit to Estonia in 20 years and the focus was the UK’s shared defence and security concerns with the country and how Estonia is developing into a model in terms of embracing new and innovative technologies. Key outcomes of the visit were that the UK can ill afford to neglect these small, but dynamic, EU countries which are so important to the future of Europe. In the immediate future, the UK can also do much to help support their forthcoming first EU Presidency and we should grasp that golden opportunity. 

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BGIPU hosts signing ceremony for 2017 IPU Assembly in Dhaka

The formal agreement between the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the National Parliament of Bangladesh on convening the 136th IPU Assembly in Dhaka was signed by The Hon Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the Bangladesh Speaker, and the IPU Secretary General, Mr Martin Chungong, in the River Room of the UK House of Lords on 28 April 2016 in the presence of the BGIPU Chair and Officers.  This signing ceremony formalised the decision taken in Lusaka in March 2016 to hold the 136th IPU Assembly in Dhaka from 1 to 5 April 2017.