New Zealand MPs to participate in global parliamentary forum

Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives

For immediate release – 20 OCTOBER 2016

Speaker Rt Hon David Carter announced today that three Members of Parliament will take part in the 135th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly being held in Geneva, Switzerland from 23-27 October. The delegation will be led by Hon Annette King MP and includes Alfred Ngaro MP and David Clendon MP.

The Assembly agenda includes debates, panel discussions and workshops on issues relating to parliaments’ role in safe-guarding human rights, promoting sustainable development, increasing women’s political participation, matters of international security, addressing climate change, and combating HIV/AIDS.

“The Assembly’s themes are particularly relevant to the New Zealand Parliament” says Rt Hon David Carter, Speaker of the House of Representatives. “Our location in the Pacific means that we have a strong interest in achieving meaningful development outcomes that make tangible differences to people’s lives. New Zealand also has a long history of supporting women’s suffrage, engagement on international security matters, and a strong commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change. I am pleased that our members will be able to bring the priorities of New Zealand and the wider Pacific region to the Assembly to advance a parliamentary dimension on these significant global issues.”

While in Geneva, the delegation also hopes to meet with Pacific parliamentarians, to discuss regional issues including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change issues, and parliamentary capacity building.

The delegation will take place 23-27 October 2016.

ENDS

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