Spotlight: 136th IPU assembly in Bangladesh focuses on means to end inequalities, combat extremism

The Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), also known as Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, is playing host to 131 countries attending the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) that's being held in capital city of Dhaka.

National flags representing the countries of each of the parliamentarians decorate the outside of the center along with colorful banners and festoons.

BICC, the only multi-purpose convention facility in the country, which has 17 facilities for holding small to large scale events, is jam-packed with parliamentarians from around the world.

Around 1,500 delegates, including 650 parliament members, 53 speakers, deputy speakers and 209 female parliamentarians have been attending the mega IPU assembly, which has been jointly organized by the IPU and the Bangladesh National Parliament.

Delegates debate issues which are a matter of concern for people all around the world. They debate actions to end economic, political and social inequality, for example.

The IPU says the assembly is currently looking at ways to assess the extent of economic, social and political inequalities and to ensure the needs of the poor and marginalized are addressed at all levels of decision-making.

The assembly this year is based on the theme: "Readdressing inequalities: Delivering on dignity and well-being for all."

With more focus on ways and means to end economic, political and social inequalities and better combat terrorism and extremism worldwide, the 136th IPU assembly kicked off in Dhaka on Saturday evening.

Chen Changzhi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, is leading China's delegation at the 136th IPU Assembly.

Chen and his delegation members participated in various standing committees and related meetings and presented the Chinese government's achievements for the development of the Chinese people.

The Chinese delegation also informed the global parliamentarians of how the Chinese government through various initiatives is helping countries in dire need of support to achieve development goals and positively change the fate of those living in poverty.

Speaking at a standing committee meeting, Chen reiterated China's commitment to safeguarding the common interests of developing countries and to continuously expand a variety of development initiatives. He said China's development will bring more opportunities to the world.

IPU President Saber Hossain Chowdhury said leading development partners have joined the IPU assembly and shared development ideas.

He said dialogues for peace, development and cooperation are now flowing towards a successful conclusion.

Chowdhury went on to explain that general debates have been following every session on particular issues like international cooperation on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international peace and security, female empowerment, redressing inequalities, human rights and parliaments' role in preventing outside interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and children's rights activist Kailash Satyarthi presented a key-note paper on the topic in the assembly which proposed a wide range of actions.

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong at a press briefing on the third day of the assembly on Tuesday said action plans would be announced on the concluding day of the five-day long assembly.

He expressed hope that the assembly will finally reach a consensus on making proposals for the parliamentary community worldwide to bolster their efforts in ending inequalities and combating terrorism and religious extremism.

Chungong said the proposals will focus on how parliaments can take pragmatic measures at national and international levels to reduce inequality and restore human dignity in social, political and economic areas.

He further said the root causes for extremism, which is usually born out of frustration, inequality, injustice and violation of human rights, are to be addressed to better combat terrorism and militancy worldwide.

"No society is immune from terrorism in the world today. It is, therefore, necessary for the global community to provide a solution."

The five-day assembly will be concluded on Wednesday following the adoption of the resolution and the Dhaka declaration.

"Taking decisive action to end economic, political and social inequalities will be the focus of deliberations," a news release issued by the IPU headquarters in Geneva said on last Monday.

Founded in 1889 with its headquarters in Switzerland, the IPU, a global organization of parliaments, works to establish democracy, peace and cooperation among people worldwide.

Chairing a session on Tuesday, Bangladeshi parliament speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, also the chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's (CPU), called on governments across the world to strengthen global efforts to end inequalities. Enditem