MONROVIA: After its non-participation in Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) activities since its civil war broke-out, spanning a decade, Liberia’s application to rejoin the global union has been approved by the 146th Assembly of member states of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Leading Liberia’s delegation to this year Assembly is Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor, Vice President of the Republic and President of the Senate.
Liberia is participating based on invitation from Duarte Pacheco, President of the IPU.
The 146th Assembly of the IPU is currently being held in Manama, the Kingdom of Bahrain, from March 11th to 15th, 2023.
The 2023 Assembly hosts about 2,700 delegates from more than 179 countries worldwide.
During proceedings at the IPU, the Liberian Vice President was given the platform to give an acceptance speech and outlined her country’s perspectives on issues relative to the promotion of peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies.
In her presentation, Vice President Howard-Taylor accepted the call for Liberia’s return to the IPU after decades of absence.
She noted that Liberia was one of the original founding members of the parliamentary Union (IPU) in October 1889.
“Historical antecedents record that 55 French, 28 British, 5 Italians, and 1 representative each from Belgium, Denmark, Liberia, Spain, and the USA were the original framers of the IPU mantra.
Since then, the IPU has become a Global Union of not just parliaments of Nation States but the parliament of people, playing a critical role in the promotion of peace, democracy, and sustainable development,” VP Howard-Taylor informed the delegates.
Madam Taylor also proffered that Gender Inequality and severe climate change impacts must be at the crux of the IPU debates in the years ahead.
She lamented that across the world, women in parliament account for only 26%, despite the increasing calls by women groups and others global leaders to reverse the situation.
She further indicated that if the IPU is to remain a critical force for good, it needs to shift the balance for gender equality for half of the World’s population-Women.
Madam Vice President indicated that the calls for mechanisms to deal with Climate Change and its impacts on humanity are not enough; adding that there are needs for financial support mechanisms aimed at ensuring the trajectory of climate change is shifted towards sustainability.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was founded in 1889 and has been the hub of worldwide parliamentary dialogues.
It seeks to strengthen National Parliament’s capacity to carry out many roles in serving and representing constituencies and holding their respective Governments accountable.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is a Middle East Country situated between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia.
The Country has a population of about 1.5 million with an estimated GDP of 87.15 billion USD.
It is considered the financial hub of the Middle East, hosting more than 400 of the world’s major financial institutions, with a booming economy of sustained investments and tourism.
