12 Nov 2024        11:25:24 am

Political

Inter-Parliamentary Union

Tags : Inter-Parliamentary Union

Topic: Multilateral Organizations

Why in the news?

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead a parliamentary delegation to the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly being held in Geneva. He will address the Assembly on the theme “Harnessing science, technology and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future”. He will also participate in the meetings of the IPU’s Governing Council, the highest decision-making body of the organization. 

Source: The Hindu 

About Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):

• It is the international organization of Parliaments.
• It was established in 1889 in Paris to promote representative democracy and world peace.
• It facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development around the world. 
• It was the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. 
• Its slogan is “For democracy. For everyone”.
• Presently, it comprises 179 member parliaments and 13 associate members. 
• It promotes democracy and helps parliaments become stronger, younger, gender-balanced, and more diverse.
• It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.
• It moved its headquarters to Geneva in 1921.
• It is financed primarily by its members out of public funds.
• Structure:
• IPU Assembly:
  • It is the principal statutory body that expresses the views of the IPU on political issues.  
  • It brings together parliamentarians to study international problems and make recommendations for action.
• Governing Council:
  • It is the plenary policy making body of the IPU.
  • It is composed of three representatives from each member parliament.
  • The President of the IPU is ex-officio President of the Governing Council.
  • The Council establishes the annual programme and budget of the IPU.
  • Occasionally, the Council considers substantive issues and adopts thematic resolutions and policy statements.
  • A number of committees and working groups are subordinated to it and report to the Council on their work.
• Executive Committees:
  • In accordance with the IPU statutes, this 17-member body oversees the administration of the IPU and provides advice to the Governing Council.
  • The 15 members of the Executive Committee are elected by the Council for a four-year term.
  • The President of the IPU is an ex officio member and President of the Committee.
  • Standing Committees: There are three Standing Committees set up by the IPU Governing Council to assist the Assembly in its work.
  • Meeting of Women Parliamentarians:
  • It is a separate organ of the IPU, which meets on the occasion of the first round of Statutory Meetings of the IPU and reports on its work to the Governing Council.
  • The meeting can be attended by the parliamentarians of both sexes.
  • The agenda of the meeting includes one but not more than two substantive items for debate, which may relate to the competence of the Assembly.

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