Events
The full advance programme of meetings being convened globally by the Inter-Parliamentary Union can be accessed here and BGIPU will call for nominations of interested MPs/Peers to form UK delegations for such events through the All Party Whip Notice and regular all member e-mails. UK participation in IPU activities without formal approval and selection by the BGIPU Executive Committee is not permitted.
In addition, the BGIPU regularly hosts lectures and meetings within the Palace of Westminster when Parliament is sitting on current topical issues in international affairs. Details of upcoming BGIPU events will be listed below and members’ nominations for participating in delegations will be sought through the All Party Notice circulated by the Government Whips Office during sitting times.
As a fully-funded parliamentary body, we can only reply to queries on how to participate in official BGIPU activities from MPs and Peers or parliamentary staff using internal parliamentary e-mail addresses. More general enquiries about our work can be directed to bgipu@parliament.uk
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to Westminster and congratulations on your election! A confirmation letter outlining the basis of BGIPU membership can be found at: https://www.bgipu.org/activity-reports/welcome-letter-to-new-and-returning-bgipu-members/ BGIPU is one of the key international relations organisations in Westminster for members of both Houses. If you wish to learn more about how you can engage with your fellow MPs across the globe then do come and speak to us and we will also be holding an information stand in Portcullis House on Wednesday 11 September. Members and Members staff can email Dominique Rees (reesd@parliament.uk) if you would like to arrange a specific time to meet and learn more.
ROUNDTABLE MEETING ON THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE YAZIDI GENOCIDE | 23 JULY 1500-1600 | IPU ROOM
BGIPU and the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute will be hosting a roundtable meeting in the IPU Room 1500-1600 to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Yazidi Genocide, chaired by Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, speakers TBC. Members wishing to attend should contact Rhiannon Edwards at edwardsrl@parliament.uk.
BGIPU CHARITY QUIZ | 9 SEPTEMBER 1800 | BELLAMYS
BGIPU will be hosting the Annual Charity Quiz on Monday 9th September in Bellamy’s café from 1800. This is open to all members and parliamentary staff, teams are up to 6 people, but individuals can also attend. Entrance is £5pp going to charity, there will be prizes for the winners and drinks and snacks provided. People wishing to attend should contact Rhiannon Edwards at edwardsrl@parliament.uk.
PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO BERLIN | W/C 9 SEPTEMBER
BGIPU hopes to send a delegation to Berlin for a short visit during the week of 9 September. Members wishing to express an interest in this visit are asked to message Mathilde Ollivo at ollivom@parliament.uk
PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO RIGA | W/C 16 SEPTEMBER
BGIPU hopes to send a delegation to Riga for a short visit during the week of 16 September. Members wishing to express an interest in this visit are asked to message Joe Perry at joe.perry@parliament.uk.
CALLING ALL MEMBERS AND STAFF WITH FOREIGN LANGUAGES – AND THOSE KEEN TO LEARN!
To help us welcome our visiting delegations it would be incredibly useful to know if Members and staff have any foreign languages – please contact Dominique Rees at reesd@parliament.uk to register any language skills.
For those who are keen to practice their language skills we also offer informal lunchtime foreign language conversation sessions. We invite Members and staff to meet in the IPU room and divide into groups depending on level of fluency for a very non-intimidating, relaxed and fun language practice!
We are currently holding Spanish sessions. If you wish to join these, please contact Holly Sloan at sloanh@parliament.uk.
We are currently holding French sessions. If you wish to join these, please contact Mathilde Ollivo at ollivom@parliament.uk.
10th GLOBAL CONFERENCE OF YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIANS, YEREVAN, ARMENIA | 12-14 SEPTEMBER 2024
BGIPU plans to send a delegation to the IPU’s Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians which will be held in Yerevan, Armenia 12-14 September. The IPU considers young parliamentarians as under 45. The theme of the conference is “Avoiding lost generations: “Preserving education and employment in all circumstances”. Members wishing to apply should contact Rhiannon Edwards at edwardsrl@parliament.uk.
149th IPU ASSEMBLY | GENEVA, SWITZERLAND| 13-17 OCTOBER 2024
The 149th Assembly of the IPU will take place in Geneva, 13-17 October. Whilst the overall theme of the general debate for the Assembly is still to be confirmed, the Standing Committee for Democracy and Human Rights will adopt a resolution on the topic “The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law”. As well as this, the Standing Committee on Peace and Security will debate a resolution on “The role of parliaments in advancing a two-State solution in Palestine”, and the Committee for Sustainable Development will debate a resolution on “The role of parliaments in preventing corporate tax avoidance and achieving sustainable development”. The United Nations Affairs and other IPU bodies will also convene for discussions on a wide range of issues and BGIPU will undertake a busy programme of bilateral meetings. Members wishing to express early interest should contact Rhiannon Edwards at edwardsrl@parliament.uk
PARLIAMENTARY MEETING ON THE OCCASION OF C0P29 | BAKU, AZERBAIJAN | 17 NOVEMBER TBC
BGIPU plans to send a small delegation to attend the parliamentary meeting on the occasion of COP29 in Baku. This meeting hosted by the IPU will be on Sunday 17 November and we would arrange a programme at COP for around 3 days including this parliamentary meeting. Members wishing to express an early interest in this are asked to message Mathilde Ollivo at ollivom@parliament.uk
