Election of the new IPU president
Every three years, IPU members elect their president on a rotating basis from one of the six geopolitical groups.
For the Twelve Plus Group, the upcoming election was significant, as it marked the end of the term of office of the current president, Portuguese parliamentarian Duarte Pacheco, and the start of a new era for the African geopolitical group. What is more, the fact that the election took place in Angola, an African country with historic links to Portugal, lent a symbolic character to the event. In addition, the election marked the return of a female IPU president, as all the candidates (Tanzania, Senegal, Somalia and Malawi) were women. Factors that members took into consideration before casting their vote (three per delegation, provided both sexes are represented) included the candidates’ political and IPU experience, the separation of powers within their respective countries and knowledge of international politics.
Tulia Ackson from Tanzania clearly outstripped her competitors (172 votes), who came from Malawi (61 votes), Senegal (59 votes) and Somalia (11 votes). When the results were announced, Ms Ackson's supporters expressed their joy by chanting her name. Ms Ackson was elected in the first round, easily obtaining an absolute majority (152). The atmosphere was one of celebration rarely seen at the IPU. Ms Ackson, as outgoing president of the African geopolitical group, enjoyed the support of the majority of its members. What's more, this clear result confirms Ms Ackson's legitimacy as the new IPU president, and silences all the rumours, founded or unfounded, that circulated during her campaign.
Ms Ackson is the third woman to hold the IPU presidency1 and the 31st person to hold this office.
Request for an emergency item
In accordance with the Assembly's rules of procedure, it is possible to add an emergency item to the Assembly's agenda. At the 147th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in response to events in Israel and the Gaza Strip, two proposals were put to the vote. Both dealt with the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with very divergent points of view.
The Twelve Plus Group, led by Canada, France and other countries, had drawn up a proposal that received unanimous support within the group (Towards common ground for peace). The Twelve Plus Group proposal called for the immediate release of the hostages, recognised the grave humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, affirmed that the UN Charter guarantees Israel's right to self-defence, in full respect of international law, while recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to create their own state. The proposal also called for the continuation and expansion of humanitarian aid. It also advocated the continuation of diplomatic efforts to open and keep permanently open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, enabling the unimpeded delivery of emergency humanitarian aid to trusted partners, excluding Hamas. The other proposal was tabled by a group of members of parliament from Algeria, Kuwait, Indonesia, Iran and South Africa, and called for
Stopping the war and violations of human rights in Gaza.
In accordance with IPU rules, an emergency item must secure two-thirds of the votes cast. In the vote, the item submitted by Indonesia received 607 votes in favour and 439 votes against, while the item submitted by the Twelve Plus Group received 507 votes in favour and 306 votes against. As neither proposal secured the required two-thirds majority, no emergency item was included on the agenda.
The announcement of the results caused an outcry and led to a charged atmosphere. Nevertheless, after giving the floor to various representatives of the Arab Group and the Twelve Plus Group, the IPU president, in accordance with the rules, closed the meeting.
Luanda Declaration
The Luanda Declaration, based on the interventions during the general debate, underlines the crucial importance of parliamentary action for peace, justice and effective institutions, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16). Parliamentarians recognise the fundamental role of good governance in achieving the sustainable development goals, stressing that without it, the collective fight against poverty, inequality, conflict and environmental challenges would be doomed to failure. The declaration emphasises the need to strengthen the confidence of citizens, and to encourage active participation at all institutional levels. It also stresses the importance of the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and the improvement of the judicial system. In addition, the declaration calls for efforts to resolve global conflicts, promote human security, and strengthen the participation of women and young people in peace processes. Ahead of the global assessment of SDG 16 in 2024, the parliamentarians encourage in-depth reviews at national level, and pledge to share findings to foster good parliamentary practice. National Councillor Thomas Hurter spoke on behalf of the Swiss delegation, calling for a better future, effective institutions and stronger international cooperation.
Standing Committees
The Committee on Peace and International Security, the Committee on Sustainable Development and the Committee on Democracy and Human Rights adopted their priority themes up to 2026 to support the implementation of the IPU Strategy. These priority themes aim to harmonise the work of IPU secretariats and enhance the quality of resolutions.
Resolution
The Committee on Democracy and Human Rights considered the resolution on Orphanage trafficking: The role of parliaments in reducing harm. This resolution encourages IPU member parliaments to ask their governments to pay particular attention to situations of illegal intercountry adoptions. Finally, it calls for the recognition of proven cases of illegal adoptions and of the people concerned as victims. The Swiss delegation, represented by National Councillor Christian Lohr and National Councillor Laurence Fehlmann Rielle, took part in the session. In Luanda, following a recommendation of the Bureau, the Committee approved a proposal for a resolution on the theme on artificial intelligence and human rights (to be debated and finalised at the 149th Assembly in October 2024). The Bureau furthermore considered Mr Lohr’s proposal to organise a round table in Geneva in March 2024, on the sidelines of the 148th IPU Assembly, on sustainable actions to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities, including their educational and employment opportunities.
Motion by the Committee on United Nations Affairs
In Luanda, the IPU Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs adopted its first motion to bring gender equality to the UN General Assembly. The Committee underscores the crucial importance of gender equality as an enabler of democracy and sustainable development, in line with international commitments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The motion calls on parliaments, to review the recruitment process for their national foreign service to ensure equal opportunities; to set a deadline by which women and men will be represented in equal numbers in the foreign service; to review their government appointment of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations; and to celebrate the International Day of Women in Diplomacy annually.
Posts to be filled
At the 147th Assembly, the Swiss delegation took on new functions. National Councillor Christine Badertscher was appointed to the
High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism. National Councillor Laurence Fehlmann Rielle joins the
Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians.
The Swiss delegation consisted of the following parliamentarians:
- Thomas Hurter (SVP/SH), National Council member, delegation vice-president
- Christine Badertscher (The Greens/BE), National Council member
- Andrea Caroni (FDP/AR), Council of States member
- Laurence Fehlmann Rielle (SP/GE), National Council member
- Christian Lohr (The Centre/TG), National Council member
- Laurent Wehrli (FDP/VD), National Council member
11st female IPU president: Ms Najma Heptulla, from India (1999-2002); 2nd female IPU president: Ms Gabriela Cuevas, Mexico (2017-2020)
Speech by National Councillor Thomas Hurter at the general debate
National Councillor Laurent Wehrli's first meeting at the Bureau of the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security
National Councillor Laurence Fehlmann Rielle at the meeting of the Committee on Middle East Questions
National Councillors Christine Badertscher and Laurence Fehlmann Rielle at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development
National Councillor Christian Lohr at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights
Strategic discussion within the Swiss delegation: National Councillors Thomas Hurter (r) and Laurent Wehrli (l)
Tanzania's Tulia Ackson wins 31st IPU presidency
Tanzania's Tulia Ackson wins 31st IPU presidency
Historic moment from l to r: new IPU President Tulia Ackson; outgoing President Duarte Pacheco; President of the National Assembly of Angola Carolina Cerqueira; IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong
National Councillor Christian Lohr congratulates new IPU President Tulia Ackson (Tanzania)
An emotional moment: General Secretary bids farewell to outgoing President Duarte Pacheco (Portugal)
Photo of the presidents and heads of delegation at the opening ceremony. For Switzerland, National Councillor Christian Lohr