The 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will take place at the invitation of the parliament of Bahrain from 11 to 15 March in Manama, Bahrain. Alongside parliamentarians from around the world, a Swiss delegation will also attend the IPU’s Spring Assembly, whose theme is ‘Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance’.

In 2022, the world reached its lowest level of peace in the last 15 years, according to the Global Peace Index, which is used by the Institute for Economics and Peace to measure global levels of peace. With that in mind, the theme of the 146th IPU Assembly is ‘Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies’. Parliamentarians will have the opportunity to exchange best practices on promoting peaceful coexistence at the Assembly’s general debate.

The Assembly is also expected to adopt two resolutions: «Cyberattacks and cybercrime: New risks for global security», proposed by the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, and «Parliamentary efforts in achieving negative carbon balances of forests», put forward by the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development.

Finally, National Council member Laurence Fehlmann Rielle (SP, GE) will take her seat on the Committee on Middle East Questions, and National Council member Laurent Wehrli (FDP, VD) will join the Group of Facilitators for Cyprus. Both parliamentarians were voted onto these IPU committees at the October 2022 assembly in Rwanda.

In addition to the delegation president, Council of States member Daniel Jositsch (SP, ZH), and delegation vice president, National Council member Thomas Hurter (SVP, SH), the Swiss delegation will be represented by National Council members Christine Badertscher (The Greens, BE), Laurence Fehlmann Rielle (SP, GE) and Laurent Wehrli (FDP, VD).

Further information on the 146th Assembly is available on the IPU website:
146th Assembly and related meetings | Inter-Parliamentary Union (ipu.org)