13 October 2006

NZ delegation to attend IPU assembly in Geneva

New Zealand will be represented by a delegation of three MPs at next week’s
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly in Geneva.

The delegation will be led by John Carter (National Party); the other delegates are Lynne Pillay (Labour Party) and Nándor Tánczos (Green Party).

Established in 1889, the IPU is the international organisation of parliaments of sovereign states. It has 140 members and provides a focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue while working for peace and co-operation and for representative democracy.

The Speaker, Hon Margaret Wilson, says the assembly’s agenda includes discussions on the themes of cooperation between parliaments and the United Nations in promoting world peace, particularly from the perspectives of the fight against terrorism and energy security; the role of parliaments in overseeing the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, in particular with regard to the problem of debt and the eradication of poverty and corruption; and missing persons.

Ms Wilson says attendance at conferences such as the IPU enabled MPs to foster contacts and exchange experiences with parliaments and parliamentarians from other countries.

‘They consider questions of international interest and concern and this helps bring about action by parliaments and parliamentarians.’

The assembly will be held in Geneva, October 16-18.

ENDS

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