NA Speaker Leads South African Delegation to 147th IPU Assembly Focusing on Peace, Justice, and Governance
Luanda, Angola – The 147th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is set to be a pivotal congregation of global lawmakers, scheduled to take place from October 23 to 27 at the National Assembly of Angola. The Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, is leading a high-level delegation to participate in the assembly’s discussions and elections.
According to a new release by the South African Parliament, the IPU, the world’s oldest multilateral organization comprising 178 parliaments, will focus on enhancing public trust in governance structures and addressing various global crises. The event’s theme, “Parliamentary action for peace, justice, and strong institutions,” aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 and is intended to empower the global development agenda.
The five-day assembly will feature the election of the 31st IPU President through a secret ballot. The candidates for the role are all female and come from Africa: Dr. Tulia Ackson from Tanzania, Ms. Catherine Hara from Malawi, Ms. Adji Kanoute from Senegal, and Ms. Marwa Hagi from Somalia. Additionally, the IPU will elect nine members to its Executive Council and will adopt multiple resolutions, including one focused on reducing harm related to orphanage trafficking. The assembly will also announce the winner of the 2023 MP of the Year award, known as the Cremer-Passy Prize, which honors exceptional contributions to climate action.
Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula will also partake in the IPU Task Force for the Peaceful Resolution of the War in Ukraine. This meeting will involve parliamentarians from both Russia and Ukraine. The IPU Committee on Middle East Questions is scheduled to meet to evaluate recent developments and to propose paths toward peace. In addition, the IPU is in active communication with the parliamentary leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to foster political dialogue between the two nations.
The South African delegation will engage in each structure of the IPU, from Standing Committees on Peace and International Security, Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade, Democracy and Human Rights, to United Nations Affairs. The delegation includes notable parliamentarians like Ms. Sylvia Lucas, Mr. Seiso Mohai, Ms. Doris Dlakude, Ms. Fikile Masiko, Dr. Annelie Lotriet, and Mr. Floyd Shivambu, among others.