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Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon Advocate Jacob F.N Mudenda, and President of the Senate, Hon. Mabel M. Chinomona, are leading a Zimbabwean Parliamentary delegation to the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland where issues of science and technology are under the spotlight.
The Assembly and Related Meetings are scheduled for 12th to 17th October 2024. The leaders are accompanied by several Members of Parliament who are Zimbabwe’s representatives to the IPU.
These are Hon. Chief Mtshane Lucas Khumalo, member of the IPU Standing Committee on Sustainable Development Goals; Hon. Tsitsi Veronica Muzenda, member of the IPU Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights; Hon. Sengezo Tshabangu, member of the IPU Standing Committee on Sustainable Development Goals; Hon. Lusyomo Nyelele, member of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians and IPU Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs; Hon. Maureen Kademaunga, member of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians and IPU Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs; Hon. Jona Nyevera, member of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians and IPU Standing Committee on Peace and International Security; and Hon. Tawanda Karikoga, member of the IPU Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights.
The Parliamentary delegation was received at the Geneva International Airport by Zimbabwe’s Charge d’Affaires to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, Mr. Nesbert Samasuwo, and Embassy officials.
Running under the overarching theme: “HARNESSING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION FOR A MORE PEACEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE,” the 149th Assembly will consider and deliberate on parliamentary action to maximize the benefits as well as mitigate and ameliorate the risks of new technologies with a particular focus on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Similarly, the Parliament of Zimbabwe has embraced AI in its legislative business, galvanized by Speaker Mudenda attending the IPU Conference of the Future in Uruguay in 2023 where the application of AI for Parliamentary processes was adopted. Consequently, Speaker Mudenda has spearheaded the initiative to establish a Committee Of The Future in the Zimbabwean Parliamentary framework. Bertrand Piccard, Swiss psychiatrist, renowned explorer, and technology pioneer, will address the Assembly on the centrality of placing humanity back at the centre of science, technology, and innovation.
Deliberations started in earnest today with two crucial meetings lined up for African delegations, namely, the Africa Geopolitical Group (Parliaments from Africa) meeting which will be preceded by the SADC Group meeting of SADC Parliaments.
In line with established practice, the two meetings will deliberate on crucial items on the Agenda of the 149th Assembly to reach a consensus, particularly on the adoption of an emergency item to be included on the Agenda of the Assembly.
Additionally, the meetings will receive feedback on decisions emanating from the IPU Executive Committee from Africa’s representatives in the Executive Committee, notably, Rt Hon. Nelly Mutti, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia. On Sunday, 13 October 2024, the President of the Senate, Hon. Chinomona will present Zimbabwe’s position during the Forum of Women Parliamentarians regarding issues affecting female Parliamentarians and their role in Parliamentary processes.
The opening of the General Debate on the theme, “Harnessing Science, technology and Innovation (STI), for a more peaceful and sustainable future” is scheduled for Monday, 14 October 2024. Speaker Mudenda is expected to articulate the gains and milestones the Parliament of Zimbabwe has made to entrench AI within its ecosystem and Zimbabwe’s efforts in embracing science, technology, and innovation.
Relatedly, the 149th Assembly is set to adopt a new Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology, drafted by the IPU’s Working Group on Science and Technology. The Charter aims to create a regulatory framework of principles to guide legislation and decision-making to ensure that science and technology sustainably serve humanity and the environmental ecosystem. Parliamentarians are also expected to adopt an IPU resolution entitled “The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
The resolution urges parliaments to develop strong legal frameworks and policies for the responsible use of AI technology. In the same vein, the resolution also seeks to address the vulnerabilities of democratic institutions to AI applications and how to alleviate negative impacts such as the spread of misinformation, disinformation, misinformation, hate speech, or incitement of violence through AI-generated content.
Additionally, the Assembly will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and its role in reducing the harm caused by anti-personnel mines. His Royal Highness, Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan, Special Envoy for the APMBC, will participate at the event and is expected to encourage parliaments that have not yet ratified the Convention to do so expeditiously.
The crowning moment of the Assembly will be the presentation of the winner of the 2024 Cremer-Passy Prize to the winning Parliamentarian during the Assembly. This prestigious award, now in its third edition, will recognize an outstanding parliamentarian who has made an exceptional contribution to supporting Parliamentarism, the rule of law, and advancing human rights. Honourable Mr. Samuel Teo, Speaker of the Tuvalu Parliament was the previous winner.