149th IPU Assembly tackles developmental issues

Several developmental issues were under the spotlight at the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland where various dignitaries including Advocate Jacob F.N. Mudenda, the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, shared perspectives on driving the global legislative agenda.

On the morning of 12 October 2024, Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Advocate J.F.N. Mudenda, and President of the Senate, Hon. M.M. Chinomona, who are attending the 149^th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland, interfaced with Embassy Officials led by Mr. Nesbert Samasuwo, Charge d’affaires at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Geneva.

Mr Samasuwo provided a comprehensive brief on the operations of the Mission in Switzerland, particularly the strides made in upscaling economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and Switzerland for the mutual benefit of the citizenry of the two sister Republics, which dovetails with His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr. E.D Mnangagwa’s policy thrust of striving towards an upper middle-class economy by 2030. Additionally, the Presiding Officers offered counsel concerning identified challenges to enhance the work of the Embassy.

In this context, the Presiding Officers assured the Officials of Parliament’s commitment to support initiatives that amplify the Second Republic’s development mantra.

In keeping with established tradition at the IPU Assemblies, the SADC Group meeting and the Africa Geo-political group meeting were convened on the 12^th of October 2024 to caucus and reach consensus on issues under consideration during the 149^th Assembly of the IPU and Related Meetings.

The SADC Group meeting was chaired by the Rt. Hon. Speaker Mancienne, Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum and Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles. In his welcome address, Speaker Mancienne expressed gratitude to participating Member Parliaments for their indefatigable commitment to Parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation as espoused by the core values of the IPU which behooves Parliaments to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people to achieve peace, democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.

Further to this, Speaker Mancienne stressed the critical role of the SADC Group within the IPU ecosystem, particularly ensuring that there is solidarity and unity of purpose in driving the SADC development agenda within the IPU strategic objectives and goals. In this context, he congratulated Mauritius, and indeed Africa as a whole, for attaining sovereignty of the Chagos Island from the United Kingdom, including the Diego Garcia which had been used as a military base by the United States of America. This great feat was achieved through compelling self-determination and commitment to diplomacy as Africa spoke in unison against modern-day colonialism exemplified by the UK refusing to relinquish the annexed islands.

Turning to the programme of the 149^th Assembly of the IPU and Related Meetings, Speaker Mancienne applauded the theme “HARNESSING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION FOR A MORE PEACEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”. He emphasized that Parliaments should embrace science, technology, and innovation to derive benefits from technological advancements for sustained economic development. Additionally, he rallied SADC Parliaments to support any emerging Emergency Item that resonates with the interests of the African geo-political Group of Parliaments.

Finally, the SADC Chairperson bade farewell to the SADC Group as his tenure as Chairperson of the SADC Group terminates end of December 2024. Resultantly, he expressed profound appreciation for the cooperation and support he had received from the SADC Member Parliaments and Secretariat during his tenure as Chairperson of the SADC Group at the IPU.

Thereafter, Rt Hon. Nelly Mutti, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia and SADC’s representative to the IPU Executive Committee presented a comprehensive report on decisions of the IPU Executive Committee emanating from three (3) Meetings convened since the 148^th Assembly of the IPU and Related Meetings in March 2024. She prefaced her remarks by paying glowing tribute to Rt Hon. Prof Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, who will be retiring in March 2025. She described Speaker Katjavivi, as a pillar of strength not only to the SADC Group but to the IPU having served in different capacities within the IPU. Rt Hon. Speaker Mutti’s report highlighted the following key issues:-

1. Activities of Hon. Dr Tulia Ackson, President of the IPU which focused on;

• Supporting conflict areas: President Ackson held a critical dialogue meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Meeting with a view of exploring ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war. She is expected to interface with President Zelensky before presenting a comprehensive report to the IPU.
• Enhancing Middle East Diplomatic Engagement: The IPU President visited Egypt to promote peace in the Middle East as well as to discuss the progress on the piloting of the IPU regional office to service Africa and the Arab groups.
• Enhancing Parliamentary Innovation: The IPU President attended the 40^th anniversary of China’s National People’s Congress affiliation with the IPU in Beijing.

2. REPORTING BY MEMBERS ON THE IMPLEMETATION OF IPU RESOLUTIONS: The Right Hon. Mutti appealed to SADC Parliaments to provide feedback on the implementation of IPU resolutions and other initiatives under the framework of the 2022-2026 IPU strategy and Article 6 of the IPU Statutes. She explained that the feedback gives credence to Member Parliaments’ participation in the IPU Assembly. This is also in line with Article 7 of the IPU Statutes which places a duty on IPU Member Parliaments to submit responses to all IPU resolutions by their respective parliaments and communicate them to their governments to stimulate implementation of those resolutions. Zimbabwe is expected to present its Report in 2025.
3. With regard to the financial situation of the IPU, Rt Hon. Mutti indicated that the IPU Executive Committee was satisfied that the financial position remains liquid and is in the blue. The major revenue streams for the organization included Member Parliaments’ contributions and interests earned from investment accounts.
4. Regarding the status of the amendments of the IPU Statutes and Rules, the SADC Group resolved that there is a need for a more coordinated approach in responding to the proposed amendments as well as the necessity to continue exploring areas for amendments to ensure that the revised Statutes and Rules enhance the IPU’s legal stature. In this regard, the establishment of a focused working Group comprising Speaker Mudenda as Chairperson and representatives from Seychelles and Eswatini was established to spearhead this initiative. The Working Group will consolidate SADC’s position on the proposed amendments of Statutes and Rules of the IPU for consideration by the African geo-political group and the IPU Executive Committee. The Working Group is scheduled to complete the task on 13^th October 2024.

With regards to the Emergency Item for inclusion in the Agenda of the Assembly, it was noted that no submissions had been received by the IPU Secretariat to date. However, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) expressed its interest in submitting a proposal on the deteriorating political situation in the country. Accordingly, the SADC Group resolved to support the submission of the Democratic Republic of Congo once circulated.

Additionally, Hon. Dr Tulia Ackson, President of the IPU addressed the meeting whereby she implored SADC Member countries to take an active and leading role in the process of amending the IPU Statutes and Rules to ensure that the global institution is indeed representative and serving the interest of all geo-political groups. In this context, she supported the proposal of establishing a SADC Working Group which would then present its recommendations to the IPU Working Group Chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia. She expressed her strong conviction that the IPU should debate more than one emergency item given the diversity of the composition of the institution.

In welcoming recently elected Members of Parliament to the IPU, the IPU President called for more focused participation in IPU activities with particular emphasis on bringing in new ideas for the advancement of Parliamentary diplomacy and robust Parliamentary processes.

Ultimately, the SADC Group Chairperson expressed approbation to the illustrious Speaker Katjavivi, who has served SADC PF with distinction as an exemplary leader whose contributions were always thoughtful and well-balanced.

Accordingly, on behalf of the SADC Group at the IPU, Speaker Mancienne presented a token of appreciation to Speaker Katjavivi. In accepting the token of appreciation, Speaker Katjavivi highlighted that he was humbled by the gesture of goodwill extended by the SADC Group at the IPU, which typifies a strong sense of family unity. He chronicled the journey of the SADC PF from its establishment in 1997 in Malawi to date. He expressed great satisfaction with the notable achievements of the SADC PF as it has navigated challenging terrain, evolving to the current status where it is on the verge of transforming into a regional Parliament.

In this context, he urged SADC Member Parliaments to continue on the trajectory, making a positive impact on the lives of the people they represent in the region.

The SADC Geo-political Group was then proceeded by the Africa Geo-political Group Meeting which took note of the Report from its representative in the IPU Executive Committee, Hon Karichi from Algeria. With regards to the Emergency Item for inclusion in the Agenda of the IPU, the DRC and Palestine lobbied for support of their proposals for the Emergency Item. Hon. Speaker Mudenda echoed President Ackson’s call to push for the establishment of a Committee within the IPU that would deal with issues affecting the African continent.

The proposal was unanimously adopted by the Africa Geo-political Group. Regarding the vacancies to be filled, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa was elected as the President of the Africa Geo-political Group for the period 2025 on the proposal by Speaker Mudenda.

The Assembly activities gather full steam today with several activities lined up, including the Women’s Parliamentary Forum which will be attended by Hon Chinomona and all female MPs of the Zimbabwean delegation this morning. On the other hand, Speaker Mudenda will headline the afternoon meeting of the recently established focus Working Group dealing with the consolidated position of revised Statutes and Rules of the IPU to be submitted to the IPU Working Group on the amendments of the IPU Statutes and Rules which is chaired by Hon Mutti, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia who is also a Member of the IPU Executive Committee.