Om Birla addresses the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva
Summit and Conference
4 min read
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and emphasised the need for multilateralism in the world. He also said that dialogue and cooperation amongst Parliaments in science, technology, and innovation were important for the common good.
The 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was held at the IPUs headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13 to 17 October 2024. The IPU is the global organisation of the National Parliaments.
The Indian delegation led by Om Birla included Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh, the Secretary General of both Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and various other Members of Parliament.
About the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
The Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is an annual meeting in which all the members of the IPU and its various committees, including the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, participate.
The Assembly provides a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views and galvanise parliamentary action.
Theme of the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
The theme of the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future.
Jamaica rejoins the IPU as 181st Member
At the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, the Parliament of Jamaica rejoined the IPU as its 181st Member Parliament. Jamaica had previously been a member of the IPU from 1983 to 1996.
The IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies.
About the Inter-Parliamentary Union
The Inter-Parliamentary Union was set up as the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on 30 June 1889 in Paris, France.
In 1899, the name was changed to Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU)
The main aim of the IPU was to bring together the world's parliamentarians and promote arbitration and mediation as a means of solving disputes between nations.
The credit for setting up the IPU is given to the first Nobel Peace Prize winner, Fredric Passey of France, and the Englishman William Randal Cremer.
The IPU is the world’s first permanent international political organisation.
In modern times, the IPU empowers parliaments and parliamentarians so as to promote peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development around the world.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
