The 138th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) took place in Geneva between 24 and 28 March. There were three themes on the agenda at the assembly: sustaining peace as a means of achieving sustainable development, engaging the private sector in the development of renewable energy, strengthening the global system for migrants and refugees.
The Swiss delegation present in Geneva was comprised of four members of the National Council and two members of the Council of States:
- CS Andrea Caroni (FDP/AR), president of the delegation
- NC Christian Lohr, (CVP/TG), vice president of the delegation
- NC Margret Kiener Nellen (SP/BE)
- CS Filippo Lombardi (CVP/TI)
- NC Felix Müri, (SVP/LU)
- NC Laurent Wehrli (FDP/VD)
Amendments relating to IPU Statutes and rules
The new president of the IPU, Gabriela Cuevas Barron from Mexico, was elected at the 137th Assembly of the IPU in St. Petersburg. In December 2017, she put forward numerous amendments relating to IPU’ Statues and rules with a view to modernising the organisation. Along with other countries, the Swiss delegation contested the content of some of the proposed amendments due to their significant financial impact on the IPU. In the end, the IPU Executive Committee tasked its vice president with carrying out further consultations on a reformulated package of amendments. As a member of the Executive Committee, Ms Kiener Nellen also actively defended a consensus solution.
Resolution co-drafted by Switzerland adopted
In his capacity as co-rapporteur for the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, the president of the Swiss delegation, Mr Caroni, presented, together with his Mexican counterpart, a resolution reaffirming the key role of parliaments in sustaining peace and sustainable development. During the adoption of the resolution by the plenum, the Assembly welcomed the quality of the work conducted by the two rapporteurs and noted that sustaining peace contributes in fine to sustainable development.
Switzerland on Bureau of IPU Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs
Mr Wehrli was elected by acclamation to the Bureau of the IPU Standing Committee, where he will speak for the Twelve Plus Geopolitical Group and Switzerland. His mandate, which runs until 2020, is renewable.
Jerusalem issue an emergency item on the agenda
Following a close vote, the resolution entitled ‘The consequences of the US declaration on Jerusalem and the rights of the Palestinian people in Jerusalem in the light of the UN Charter and resolutions’ was adopted over a Swedish proposal on violence against women in the workplace. The adoption of the text on this emergency item, gave rise to a lengthy debate in the plenum; the Swiss delegation expressed its reservations, as did a number of others.
More information can be found on the official website: https://www.ipu.org/fr/event/138eme-assemblee-et-reunions-connexes