Roundup: Curtain falls on 136th IPU assembly with Dhaka Declaration on ending inequalities

The assembly of the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) closed here Wednesday after five days of intensive activities including the adoption of a declaration on ending social, economic and political inequalities worldwide.

The assembly brought together some 1,500 delegates, including 650 parliament members, 53 speakers, deputy speakers and 209 female parliamentarians to seek 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.

Chen Changzhi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, led 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 efforts to achieve development for the Chinese people and support countries across the world.

The mega IPU assembly has been jointly organized by the IPU and the Bangladesh National Parliament.

At the closing ceremony, Bangladeshi parliament speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, also the chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association(CPU), pledged Dhaka's full support for the implementation of the declaration.

"The assembly was very meaningful in that Bangladesh, as the host country, led the adoption of the Dhaka Declaration, which provides a milestone for the world's parliamentarians," said Chaudhury who presided over the 136th IPU assembly.

IPU President Saber Hossain Chowdhury said the declaration will work as the guideline for next summits to be held in Russia and Switzerland respectively.

He said the Dhaka Declaration will also be a foundation for parliaments to suggest ideas, contribute to peace, friendship and cooperation among countries, parliaments and advance the next development step in the international community beyond 2017.

Among other things, the declaration stressed the need for finding own solutions of the countries as no single policy prescription can meet all needs.

The declaration also urged parliamentarians to renew their commitment to combat gender inequality, which is rooted in discrimination against women, as a particularly important dimension of this multifaceted problem.

"Economic, social and political inequalities are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. This is why our response will take a holistic approach, ensuring that policymaking and decision-making processes are inclusive, participatory and take into account the needs of all."

Dhaka Declaration expressed its concern saying that while income and wealth are disproportionately concentrated in the top 1 to 10 percent of the global population.

It said a growing number of people around the world, particularly young people, are unemployed or under-employed; and lack productive assets. They are underpaid; have limited access to education, health care and other social services; often live in unsafe communities. They are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of environmental degradation and climate change, said the declaration.

The assembly this year was based on the theme: "Readdressing inequalities: Delivering on Dignity and Well-being for All." Endit