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139th Assembly and related meetings

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Geneva, Switzerland

Summary

The 139th Assembly of the IPU will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 14-18 October 2018. All IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on Middle East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, will meet on this occasion.

Documents in Arabic (the translation is the responsibility of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union) 

Documents in Spanish (the translation is the responsibility of the GRULAC Secretariat) / Documentos en español (La traducción es responsabilidad de la Secretaría del GRULAC)

Download the publication: IPU Assemblies in your Pocket.

Download the 139th IPU Assembly Guidebook

App for the Assembly
Download the Assembly App. It is open only to official delegates. Please contact the Secretariat ([email protected]) for more details.  
Download the Assembly App User Manual.

 

Thursday, 11 October 2018 - Thursday, 11 October 2018

- Sub-Committee on Finance*
(Closed meeting)
Main meeting room, IPU Headquarters

Friday, 12 October 2018 - Friday, 12 October 2018

- Executive Committee*
(Closed meeting)
Main meeting room, IPU Headquarters
- Executive Committee*
(Closed meeting)
Main meeting room, IPU Headquarters

Saturday, 13 October 2018 - Saturday, 13 October 2018

- Gender Partnership Group*
(Closed meeting)
Main meeting room, IPU Headquarters
- Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Executive Committee*
(Closed meeting)
Main meeting room, IPU Headquarters
- Executive Committee* Main meeting room, IPU Headquarters
- Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Beginning of Registration Lobby, CICG

Sunday, 14 October 2018 - Sunday, 14 October 2018

- Bureau of Women Parliamentarians*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Forum of Women Parliamentarians Room 2, level 0, CICG
- High Level Advisory Group on Countering terrorism and violent extremism*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Meeting with the Chairpersons of the Geopolitical Groups*
(Closed meeting)
Room 18, level -1, CICG
- Break-out Group of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians Rooms 3 & 4, level 0, CICG
- Meeting of Advisers and Secretaries to delegations Rooms 5 & 6, level 3, CICG
- Forum of Women Parliamentarians
Panel Discussion: Gender equality in science and technology
Room 2, level 0, CICG
- Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Committee on Middle East Questions*
(Closed meeting)
Room 18, level -1, CICG
- Meeting of Presidents of the Standing Committees* Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Group of Facilitators for Cyprus* Salle Vevey, CCV Annexe building, CICG

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Monday, 15 October 2018

- Assembly Steering Committee* VIP Lounge, level 3, CICG
- Board of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Governing Council Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade
- Briefing on the Parliamentary contribution to the 2018 UN Climate Change Conference
- Debate on The role of fair and free trade and investment in achieving the SDGs, especially regarding economic equality, sustainable infrastructure, industrialization and innovation
Room 2, level 0, CICG
- Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights
Debate on the draft resolution on Strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation on migration and migration governance in view of the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
Rooms 3 & 4, level 0, CICG
- Assembly: Start of the General Debate
Theme: Parliamentary leadership in promoting peace and development in the age of innovation and technological change
Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Assembly: General Debate Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU Room 2, level 0, CICG
- Assembly: Decision on the emergency item, followed by continuation of the General Debate Room 1, level 1, CICG
- ASGP Meeting Rooms 5 & 6, level 3, CICG
- Standing Committee on Peace and International Security
- Panel discussion on Comprehensive disarmament and non-proliferation
- Panel discussion on Combatting sexual violence in UN Peacekeeping operations and beyond
Rooms 3 & 4, level 0, CICG
- ASGP Meeting Rooms 5 & 6, level 3, CICG
18:30 - Reception offered by Switzerland Events area, level 1, CICG

Tuesday, 16 October 2018 - Tuesday, 16 October 2018

- Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights
Drafting in plenary of the draft resolution on Strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation on migration and migration governance in view of the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
Rooms 3 & 4, level 0, CICG
- Assembly: Debate on the emergency item Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Assembly: Continuation of the General Debate Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Bureau of the Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs* Room 18, level -1, CICG
- Panel discussion: Where do parliaments stand in the fight against sexism and harassment? Room 2, level 0, CICG
- Panel discussion: The role of Parliaments in combating terrorism and violent extremism Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Advisory Group on Health*
(Closed meeting)
Room 15, level -1, CICG
- Side event on Legislating on food and nutrition: Lessons learned, challenges and opportunities for parliamentary action Room 18, level -1, CICG
- Panel discussion: Building bridges between the parliamentary and scientific communities
Organized with CERN.
Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Bureau of the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade* Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Bureau of the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Assembly: Continuation of the General Debate Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Special session to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Continuation of the General Debate Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights
Drafting in plenary of the draft resolution on Strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation on migration and migration governance in view of the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
Rooms 3 & 4, level 0, CICG
- Committee on Middle East Questions*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Possible drafting committee on the emergency item* Room 18, level -1, CICG
- Panel discussion: What can MPs do to sort fact from fiction in the age of fake news?
With the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- ASGP Meeting Rooms 5 & 6, level 3, CICG
- ASGP Meeting Rooms 5 & 6, level 3, CICG

Wednesday, 17 October 2018 - Wednesday, 17 October 2018

- ASGP Meeting Rooms 5 & 6, level 3, CICG
- Parity debate on Ensuring that children enjoy their rights and grow up protected from violence Room 2, level 0, CICG
- Bureau of the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights* Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Gender Partnership Group*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Assembly: Continuation of the General Debate Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Executive Committee*
(Closed meeting)
Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Standing Committee on Peace and International Security
Expert Hearing on the theme of Non-admissibility of using mercenaries as a means of undermining peace and violating human rights
Room 2, level 0, CICG
- Open session of the Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law on Ending Statelessness by 2024 – Pledges, Action and Results Room 18, level -1, CICG
- Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights
Adoption of the draft resolution on Strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation on migration and migration governance in view of the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
Rooms 3 & 4, level 0, CICG
- ASGP Meeting Rooms 5 & 6, level 3, CICG
- Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians* Salle Lausanne, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Assembly: Adoption of the resolution on the emergency item, and Conclusion of the General Debate Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs: Debate Room 2, level 0, CICG
- Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade
Panel discussion on "Taking forward the IPU resolution entitled Engaging the private sector in implementing the SDGs, especially on renewable energy"
Rooms 3 & 4, level 0, CICG

Thursday, 18 October 2018 - Thursday, 18 October 2018

- Bureau of Women Parliamentarians* Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
- Governing Council
Decisions on the human rights of MPs, and Reports of specialized meetings
Room 1, level 1, CICG
- Joint IPU-ASGP workshop: How good is parliament at holding government to account? How well am I performing my oversight role? Salle Genève, CCV Annexe building, CICG
14:30 - Governing Council Room 1, level 1, CICG
At the end of the Governing Council Assembly
Adoption of resolutions, Reports of the Standing Committees, Outcome document of the General debate, and Closing sitting
Room 1, level 1, CICG

Documents

Assembly

Governing Council

Standing Committee on Peace and International Security

Standing Committee on Sustainable Development

Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights

Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs

Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians

Forum of Women Parliamentarians

Forum of Young Parliamentarians

Other events

Agenda

Agenda of the Assembly

1. Election of the President of the 139th Assembly

2. Consideration of requests for the inclusion of an emergency item in the Assembly agenda

3. General Debate on the theme Parliamentary leadership in promoting peace and development in the age of innovation and technological change

4. Strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation on migration and migration governance in view of the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
(Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights)

5. Reports of the Standing Committees on Peace and International Security; Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade; and United Nations Affairs

6. Approval of the subject item for the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights at the 141st IPU Assembly and appointment of the Rapporteurs

7. Amendments to the IPU Statutes and Rules

* The unfinished business of the 138th Assembly will be dealt with on the first day of the 139th Assembly.

List of participants

List of speakers

List of speakers 410.96 KB

Speeches

Opening of the General Debate and Special Guests / Ouverture du débat général et invités spéciaux
Name / Nom Language / Langue
Ms. Gabriela Cuevas, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) / Mme Gabriela Cuevas, Présidente de l'Union Interparlementaire (UIP) English
Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations / M. António Guterres, Secrétaire-Général des Nations Unies  English
Speakers of Parliament / Présidents de parlement
No.* Name / Nom Country / Pays Language / Langue
1. D. O'Donovan Ireland / Irlande English
7. A. Almulla Bahrain / Bahreïn English
10. M. Al-Sulami Arab Parliament / Parlement arabe English
13. P. Katjavivi Namibia / Namibie English
25. M. Gojkovic Serbia / Serbie English
26. A. Al Mahmoud Qatar English
29. P. Nyabenda Burundi Français
30. P. Wichitcholchai Thailand / Thaïlande English
40. G. Macapagal-Arroyo Philippines English
35. R. Msowoya Malawi English
39. M. Ali Houmed Djibouti Français
42. J. Chagnon Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie Français
16. M. Ennaceur Tunisia / Tunisie Français

First speakers from delegations (Non-Presiding Officers) and invited organizations / Premiers orateurs des délégations (hormis les Présidents de parlement) et des organisations invitées

No.* Name / Nom Country / Pays Language / Langue
2. A.J. Rauof Afghanistan English
16. C. Baima  China / Chine English
5. M. Triantafyllou Greece / Grèce English
9. S. Sayalat Lao People's Democratic Republic / République démocratique populaire lao English
60. M. Larive France Français
18. I. Macdonald Australia / Australie English
19.  B. Tarasyuk Ukraine English
43. E. Luvsantseren Mongolia / Mongolie English
31. M. Bonell Andorra/ Andorre Français
32. H. Kütt Estonia / Estonie English
33. O. Hav Denmark / Danemark English
34. A.M. Mari Machado Cuba Español
38. T. Lindberg Sweden / Suède English
46. A. Tolley New Zealand / Nouvelle-Zélande English / Français
24. T. Win Myanmar English
47. D. McGuinty Canada English
48. R. Lopatka Austria / Autriche English
49. B. Rajić Slovenia / Slovénie English
76. M. Timbine Mali Français
72. I. Valente Angola English
65. K. Zatulin Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy / Assemblée interparlementaire de l'Orthodoxie English

Young Parliamentarians / Jeunes parlementaires

No.* Name / Nom Country / Pays Language / Langue
6.

O. Kefalogianni

Greece / Grèce English

Emergency item

Requests for inclusion of an emergency item

Under the terms of Assembly Rule 11.1, any Member of the Union may request the inclusion of an emergency item in the Assembly agenda. Such a request must be accompanied by a brief explanatory memorandum and a draft resolution which clearly define the scope of the subject covered by the request. The Secretariat shall communicate the request and any such documents immediately to all Members.

Furthermore, Assembly Rule 11.2 stipulates that:

(a) A request for the inclusion of an emergency item must relate to a major event of international concern on which it appears necessary for the IPU to express its opinion. Such a request must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes cast in order to be accepted;

(b) The Assembly may place only one emergency item on its agenda. Should several requests obtain the requisite majority, the one having received the largest number of positive votes shall be accepted;

(c) The authors of two or more requests for the inclusion of an emergency item may combine their proposals to present a joint one, provided that each of the original proposals relates to the same subject;

(d) The subject of a proposal that has been withdrawn by its authors or rejected by the Assembly cannot be included in the draft resolution submitted on the emergency item, unless it is clearly referred to in the request and title of the subject adopted by the Assembly.

Emergency item on Climate change – Let us not cross the line
List of requests for inclusion of an emergency item
Request submitted by the delegation of Jordan (11 September 2018)
Request submitted by the delegation of Burkina Faso (8 October 2018) ​
Request submitted by the delegation of Kuwait (11 October 2018)
Request submitted by the delegations of Jordan and Kuwait (13 October 2018)​
Request submitted by the delegations of Seychelles, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Federated States of Micronesia (14 October 2018)​
Request submitted by the delegations of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (15 October 2018)​
Request submitted by the delegation of Israel (15 October 2018)

Reporting by Members

Reporting by Members on follow-up to IPU decisions

In October 2017 (St. Petersburg), the Governing Council endorsed the Executive Committee’s recommendation to pursue a new approach to the annual reporting exercise by IPU Members whereby a number of parliaments from each geopolitical group would be selected on a rotational basis to share their experiences.

The following Guidelines for the periodic reporting exercise provide the reference framework for the new reporting exercise, as a transitional measure. If successful, the new modality would subsequently be reflected in the IPU Statutes and Rules.

GUIDELINES

1. All IPU Members shall submit periodic reports, on average once every four years. The IPU Secretariat shall facilitate the exercise by preparing a questionnaire. 

2. The periodic reports shall focus on parliamentary follow-up to:

  •  - Resolutions of the Standing Committees;
  •  - Resolutions relating to the emergency item;
  •  - Outcome documents of the General Debate;
  •  - Decisions of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians;
  •  - Plans of Action (such as the 2012 IPU Plan of Action for Gender-sensitive Parliaments);
  •  - Initiatives of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and of the Forum of Young MPs of the IPU;
  •  - Outcome documents of specialized meetings (such as regional and national seminars);
  •  - Decisions and recommendations of other IPU bodies.

3. In addition to their statutory reporting obligation on a rotational basis, IPU Members can submit, at any time, voluntary reports on parliamentary follow-up action.

4. The Executive Committee and geopolitical group Chairpersons shall monitor the submission of reports under the rotational system and ensure that IPU Members meet their reporting obligations.

5. IPU Members are invited to submit periodic reports according to the order established by Annex 1 to the Guidelines. When a Member cannot submit a report within the expected timeline, due to conditions beyond its control, it shall inform the Secretary General accordingly. Such a Member shall submit its report the following year.

The Secretary General will issue a report to the Governing Council at the 139th IPU Assembly (Geneva, October 2018) based on input from Members. The IPU membership will be informed of the outcome of the reporting exercise during a dedicated session. The preceding report on action taken by Members to follow up on IPU decisions and resolutions is available here.

To know when your parliament is expected to take part in the reporting exercise, please see this list.

To access the 2018 questionnaire on follow-up to IPU decisions and resolutions please click here.

Remember that all IPU Members can submit voluntary reports at any time!

Reporting by Members on IPU-related activities