Geneva, Switzerland – The Speaker of the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA), Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana accompanied by a team from the EALA is in Geneva to attend the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly meeting. This 148th IPU Assembly will run from 23-27 March 2024. This is the first time in almost six years that the IPU’s biannual Assembly will be held in Geneva. Hundreds of parliamentarians from around the world are in attendance. This year’s IPU Assembly theme is: “Parliamentary diplomacy: Building bridges for peace and understanding”.
This year’s IPU meeting comes at a time when 56 countries are experiencing armed conflict since 2023 including some EAC member states – according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The IPU Assembly will provide a much-needed space for parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy at the global, regional and bilateral levels, as a complement to the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
In his remarks scheduled for tomorrow, EALA’s Speaker, RT. HON.JOSEPH NTAKIRUTIMANA is expected to explore the power of parliamentary diplomacy in building bridges for peace and understanding in the region. As part of the broader efforts to address conflicts and promote international security, the EALA aims to leverage its position as a regional parliament to prevent polarization and promote dialogue among members states in the region.
The General Debate of the IPU Assembly will focus on tangible steps that parliaments can take to prevent conflicts and foster peace. It will also provide a platform for exchanging political messages, establishing channels of communication, and finding innovative solutions when diplomatic ties are limited or severed.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker will express EALA’s determination to the 148th IPU Assembly, and outline significant contributions to conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding in the EAC region. By harnessing the power of parliamentary diplomacy, the EALA will also express hopes to build bridges for peace and understanding, creating a secure and prosperous East Africa for all.
During the deliberations, The IPU Assembly is expected to adopt resolutions on Addressing the social and humanitarian impact of autonomous weapon systems and artificial intelligence and Partnerships for climate action: Promoting access to affordable green energy, and ensuring innovation, responsibility and equity.
All the other IPU parliamentary bodies will meet, including its four thematic Standing Committees, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, the Forum of Young Parliamentarians and the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians.
At the Assembly, the IPU will also start accepting nominations for the 2024 edition of the Cremer-Passy Prize, named after 19th century parliamentarians William Randall Cremer and Frédéric Passy, who founded the IPU in 1889 as part of the peace movement.
Linked to the theme of the Assembly, the winning parliamentarian(s) should have an exceptional record when it comes to peace and security. The winner of the 2024 Prize will be announced at the second IPU Assembly of the year in October.
Note: The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded more than 130 years ago as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 180 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes democracy and helps parliaments develop into stronger, younger, greener and more gender-balanced and more innovative institutions. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.
For more information,
Contact: Nicodemus Ajak Bior
Senior Public Relations Officer (SPRO)
East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA)
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255768885633/+254 729157207 (WhatsApp)
Email: nbior@eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
