World MPs to Focus on Syria in IPU meeting

Parliamentarians from around the world will vote on the inclusion of an emergency debate on the situation in Syria calling for an immediate end to the violence and human rights abuses there when the 126th Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) Assembly gets underway in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, next week. So far, the Egyptian, United Arab Emirates and Canadian parliaments have submitted proposals on Syria that also would get lawmakers around the world to join international efforts to find a peaceful and democratic solution to the conflict. The Assembly, which takes place between 31st March and 5th April and which is to be formally opened by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and IPU President Abdelwahad Radi, will also consider an alternative emergency proposal by the Syrian parliament to discuss the "Syrian Golan, occupied since 1967" and any others that may be submitted before the opening. Only one emergency item can be debated during the IPU Assembly with a resolution adopted on the closing day of the gathering. Lawmakers will also draw upon lessons learnt from the events in the Arab world in efforts to promote good governance, peace and security. About 1,200 participants, comprising approximately 650 MPs from over 120 parliaments and representatives from regional parliaments, international organizations and observers, are expected to attend the 126th Assembly, which will focus on the overall theme of Parliaments and people: Bridging the gap. Linked to that will be the official launch of the joint IPU-UNDP Global Parliamentary Report in plenary on 2nd April. The report examines the changing relationship of parliamentary representation and initiatives to counteract the increasing skepticism of the electorate towards parliaments globally. Health issues will also feature prominently during the Assembly. In addition to an open debate to be led by the Executive Directors of UNICEF and UNFPA, Anthony Lake and Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin respectively, MPs will discuss their role in tackling malnutrition in young children, making the law work in the response to AIDS, access to health for women and children as a basic right and health services at times of conflict. During an eventful week, other issues to be covered include disaster-risk reduction and sustainable development and the launch of a global survey jointly produced by IPU, World Bank and IMF on the parliamentary oversight of loan agreements, an issue of particular importance to developing countries and transition economies and relevant to much of the IPU membership. This membership is also likely to increase during the 126th Assembly to 161 with Haiti and Myanmar applying to re-join the Organization they left in 1986 and 1963 respectively. Myanmar's wish to re-affiliate follows a recent IPU high-level mission to the country during which an official request was also made for the Organization to help build parliamentary capacity there. An IPU assessment mission to Myanmar is expected to take place shortly after the Assembly.