The 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly was held from 13th to 17th October 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla headed the Indian Parliamentary Delegation(IPD) at the IPU Assembly.
Note: The next Assembly will be hosted by Uzbekistan in Tashkent and is scheduled for 5th to 9th April 2025.
Theme:
The overall theme of the 149th IPU Assembly was “Harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future”.
Participation:
All IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on Middle East Questions,and the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs meet during the assembly.
Points to note:
i.The assembly adopted the resolutions on the emergency item and on the subject item taken up by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights entitled The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
ii.The assembly also concluded the adoption of an outcome document on the overall theme of the General Debate.
iii.The assembly also adopted the new IPU Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology, developed by the IPU’s Working Group on Science and Technology.
Indian delegation at IPU Assembly:
The Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) led by Om Birla included Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Bhartruhari Mahtab, Member of Parliament (MP); Anurag Singh Thakur, MP; Rajeev Shukla, MP; Vishnu Dayal Ram, MP; Aparajita Sarangi, MP; Dr. Sasmit Patra, MP; Mamata Mohanta, MP; Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary – General, Lok Sabha and Pramod Chandra Mody, Secretary – General, Rajya Sabha.
ii.Om Birla highlighted India’s efforts to boost multilateralism and the importance of parliamentary dialogue in controlling global challenges.
iii.He mentioned about India’s initiative of One Sun, One World, One Grid in relation to climate change.
- Besides, he emphasized upon India’s significant increase in renewable energy capacity.
iv.Moreover, he mentioned about India being the third largest start-up nation in the world with 118 Unicorns, with valuation of more than USD 355 billion and its excellence in using technology for delivery of public services.
Highlights of the 149th IPU Assembly.
i.The Assembly adopted a resolution on the emergency item titled – Response by Parliamentarians to the urgent plea by the UN Secretary-General to recommit to multilateralism for global peace, justice, and sustainability.
ii.The reports from the four Standing Committees of the IPU who addressed Peace and International Security, Sustainable Development, Democracy and Human Rights, and United Nations Affairs—were also adopted.
iii.The resolution that was co-drafted by Dr. Sasmit Patra, MP and addressed – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law was also adopted by the IPU. This resolution suggests the parliaments to develop strong legal frameworks and policies governing the responsible creation, deployment, and use of AI technology.
Jamaica became the 181st member of the IPU:
i.The IPU welcomed back the Parliament of Jamaica as its 181st Member Parliament at the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva,
- Jamaica had previously been a member of the IPU from 1983 to 1996.
ii.Till now, the IPU had 180 member parliaments and 15 associate members. Members include parliaments from large countries like China, India, and Indonesia, as well as smaller countries like Cabo Verde, San Marino, and Palau.
About Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
i.The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a global organization of national parliaments that was established in 1889.
ii.The IPU provides parliamentary diplomacy and encourages parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
President – Tulia Ackson
Secretary General – Martin Chungong
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
