International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) successfully held the Groundbreaking Ceremony of it’s Permanent Headquarters in Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad

The International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) marked a historic moment today with the groundbreaking ceremony of its Permanent Headquarters in the Diplomatic Enclave of Islamabad. Distinguished member parliamentarians of IPC from across the globe, including member Parliament of Guinea, Azerbaijan, and Jordan, as well as representatives from international organizations, gathered to celebrate this significant milestone. The event was graced by the presence of eminent dignitaries, notably Dr. Duarte Pacheco, the Head of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and a two members delegation from the Association of World Election Bodies (AWEB). The ceremony was honored by the esteemed Chief Guest, Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan and President of IPC. Speaking at the occasion, President IPC H.E Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani emphasized the importance of IPC as a platform for fostering international collaboration among global parliamentarians. He underscored the significance of the Permanent Headquarters as a hub for promoting dialogue, cooperation, and the exchange of ideas to address global challenges. Honorable Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, the Minister of Law and Justice also graced the ceremony. He lauded the IPC’s efforts in enhancing parliamentary diplomacy and bridging cultures through constructive dialogue. Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the international delegation, comprising parliamentarians from various nations, the President of IPU, and the AWEB delegation, embarked on a visit to the Parliament House. The delegation had an insightful meeting with Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, discussing mutual interests and international parliamentary cooperation. Later, the delegation had the privilege of meeting the finance minister, further strengthening the bonds of international cooperation. The groundbreaking ceremony of IPC’s Permanent Headquarters underscores its commitment to fostering international cooperation, dialogue, and diplomacy. It is a significant step towards providing a dedicated space for parliamentarians from around the world to engage in meaningful discussions and shape the global agenda for positive change. The IPC Permanent Headquarters is anticipated to become a hub of innovation, ideas, and international unity, reflecting the shared aspirations of the global parliamentary community.

The delegation of the International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) successfully observes the Presidential Elections of Uzbekistan 2023 – Strengthening Global Democracy

The International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) sent a two-member delegation on an election observation mission to Tashkent, Uzbekistan to observe the Presidential Elections of Uzbekistan, held on 9th July 2023. The delegation, comprising Secretary General IPC Senator Sitara Ayaz and Member IPC Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, concluded their four-day visit, during which they closely monitored the electoral process and engaged in various diplomatic activities. The IPC obtained official accreditation from the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan, to participate as international observers in the event of an election. The delegation actively fulfilled its mandate to observe the presidential elections in accordance with international standards. During their visit, the IPC delegation undertook a series of engagements and had the opportunity to meet with high-ranking officials. On day one, prior to the election day, the delegation held a productive bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the Committee of Foreign Relations of the Senate of Uzbekistan and various parliamentarians. During the meeting, the IPC delegation provided a comprehensive briefing on their objectives and expectations for the election observation mission. On day two, the IPC delegation actively observed the presidential elections, precisely monitoring the electoral system and interacting with citizens. Interviews were conducted to gather valuable insights and opinions on the electoral process. Additionally, the delegation had a meeting with the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan. The Chairman provided a detailed overview of the election proceedings, and both parties exchanged symbolic souvenirs as a token of goodwill and collaboration. As part of their visit, on the third day, the IPC delegation embarked on a trip to the enchanting city of Samarkand, where they had the opportunity to explore its rich historical and cultural heritage. This visit served as a testament to the delegation’s appreciation for the host country’s diverse and vibrant culture. Senator Sitara Ayaz, Secretary General of IPC, expressed her gratitude for the warm reception and support received from the Uzbek Government. She stated, “Our delegation was honored to be part of this momentous occasion and witness the democratic spirit demonstrated by the Uzbek people. We commend the efforts made by the Central Election Commission to ensure a transparent and inclusive electoral process.” Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, Member IPC, emphasized the importance of international cooperation and shared democratic values. He remarked, “By actively participating in the observation of the presidential elections, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering democracy, upholding human rights, and supporting fair electoral processes worldwide. We commend the people of Uzbekistan for their engagement and participation in this democratic exercise.” The IPC delegation’s visit to Uzbekistan concluded as a successful Election observation mission, marked by constructive engagement, diligent observation, and the strengthening of diplomatic ties between the IPC and Uzbekistan.

The Delegation of International Parliamentarians’ Congress Observes Thailand General Elections 2023

14th May 2023: The International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) successfully conducted an election observation mission to Thailand and observe their General Elections 2023. The IPC, having received accreditation from the Electoral Commission of Thailand (ECT), deployed a two-member delegation to observe the electoral process and ensure its transparency and fairness. The delegation was headed by the Secretary General IPC Senator Sitara Ayaz, accompanied by Manager Communications IPC Ms. Mehk Butt. The delegation arrived in Bangkok and immediately engaged in a comprehensive program organized by the ECT. On day one, a key meeting was held, during which the ECT shared detailed information about the election process with all the observer organizations. This meeting served as an essential foundation for understanding the electoral procedures and principles that would guide the observation mission. Moreover, the delegation met with the representatives from A-WEB, the Election Commission of India, the Election Commission of Cambodia, the Election Commission of South Africa and various other officials and international organizations representatives. On day two, which was the pre-election day, the IPC delegation visited various polling stations in Bangkok, with the purpose of closely observing the process of distributing election materials to the dedicated polling station staff. Additionally, the delegation had the opportunity to interview a select number of staff members to gain insights into their roles, responsibilities, and preparedness for election day. The election day, marked as the third day of the delegation’s mission, was divided into two distinct parts. In the morning, the IPC delegates observed the process of vote casting, ensuring its transparency and integrity. They precisely monitored polling stations to ensure compliance with electoral regulations and observe that every eligible citizen was exercising their democratic right freely.     Once the vote-casting time was ended, the IPC delegation continued its commitment to observing the electoral process by visiting the polling stations to observe the vote-counting process. The vote-counting process was held in a very transparent way, showing the ballot paper and counting the votes of representatives in front of observers. The International Parliamentarians Congress would like to extend its gratitude to the Electoral Commission of Thailand for the opportunity to observe the Thai General Elections 2023. The IPC reaffirms its commitment to fostering transparent and inclusive democratic practices worldwide. The findings and observations made during the mission will be compiled into a comprehensive report, which will be shared with the relevant stakeholders and the general public in due course.

IPC Secretary General signs MOU at 12th Plenary Session of TURKPA in Ankara, Turkey

The Secretary General of the International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC), Senator Sitara Ayaz, attended the 12th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) in Ankara, Turkey. During her visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the Secretary Generals of IPC and TURKPA. The 12th Plenary Session of TURKPA was a significant gathering of parliamentary delegations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey. The session aimed to enhance cooperation and promote inter-parliamentary dialogue between the member countries. IPC’s presence at the meeting was a testament to the IPC’s commitment to strengthening ties with regional organizations and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. In addition to attending the plenary session, Senator Sitara Ayaz had a productive meeting with TURKPA Secretary General Mr. Mehmat Surreye. The two leaders discussed several areas of cooperation between the IPC and TURKPA, including trade, investment, cultural exchange, and parliamentary diplomacy, followed by the signing of MOU between organizations. The signing of the MOU was a significant step towards deepening the relationship between the two organizations. Speaking on the occasion, SG IPC Senator Sitara Ayaz shared that she is delighted to have attended the 12th Plenary Session of TURKPA and to have signed the MOU. This MOU will enable us to work together more closely to address common challenges and promote regional cooperation. IPC looks forward to working with TURKPA in the future to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and interconnected region. The Secretary General of TURKPA, Mr. Mehmat Surreye, also expressed his satisfaction at the signing of the MOU, marking it a significant step toward collaborating closely with the IPC on issues of mutual interest. IPC is confident that this partnership will lead to tangible results that benefit the parliamentarians globally and contribute to regional development.

Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians

8th – 9th FEBRUARY 2023: The first day of the Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians, A Global Perspective – Pakistan 2023 was inaugurated by the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvia, today. The conference is being held with the collaboration of Pakistan Parlimaan (A project of GIZ). IPC is honored to bring together international parliamentarians from 9 countries and international organizations to address the pressing issue of road safety, in Islamabad- Pakistan.The conference aims to raise awareness about the need for effective road safety measures and to promote collaboration between nations to reduce road accidents and fatalities. The theme of the conference is “Capacity Building for Effective Legislative Framework on Road Safety.”“Road safety is not just a national concern, but a global challenge that requires cooperation and coordination among nations,” said the President of Pakistan in his opening address. “We must work together to implement effective road safety policies and measures that protect the lives of road users and prevent road accidents.”The parliamentarians from Chad, Uganda, Jorden, Spain, Guinea, Libya and Algeria addressed the conference, shared their experiences and perspectives on road safety issues in their respective countries, and engaged in discussions with experts and stakeholders from around the world.Secretary General Special Envoy on Road Safety Mr. Jean Tod and Director General World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also addressed the conference via video link.Opening session feature keynote speeches and panel discussions on five pillars of road safety, including the latest research and innovations in road safety, best practices and lessons learned from around the world, and the role of international organizations and governments in promoting road safety.The conference is expected to result in a number of important outcomes, including the adoption of a declaration on road safety, the establishment of a network of parliamentarians committed to promoting road safety, and the identification of priority areas for future cooperation and action.“The International Conference on Road Safety is an important platform for sharing knowledge and expertise and for fostering international cooperation on road safety,” said by the Secretary General IPC Senator Sitara Ayaz“We are confident that the conference will lead to tangible results that will help improve road safety and save lives.” The second day of the Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians was held on 9th February 2023 at Islamabad Serena Hotel and concluded with a closing ceremony.In the day-2 session, the participants were divided into three sessions, discussing the five pillars of Road safety and came up with recommendations to take further actions and control road hazards. The recommendations came out from various parliamentarians based on their respective country’s road safety measures.Based on the recommendations from the conference, the Secretary General Senator Sitara Ayaz presented the Islamabad Declaration, as a unanimous document that outlines the key steps that need to be taken to improve road safety in Pakistan. The Declaration serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to address this critical issue.The closing session was concluded by a speech from Federal Finance Minister Mr. Ishaq Dar, who appreciated the role of IPC and Mustehkum Parliamen (EU funded project, implemented by GIZ) in organizing the conference. He emphasized the importance of working together to address road safety issues and expressed his commitment to the cause.The conference was a success and provided a platform for parliamentarians, experts, and stakeholders to collaborate and share their thoughts and experiences on road safety. The Islamabad Declaration will serve as a guide for future road safety initiatives and will be a critical tool in our efforts to improve road safety in Pakistan and all around the world.IPC and Mustehkum Parlimaan would like to express their gratitude to all participants for their active participation and valuable contributions. We are committed to continuing our efforts to promote road safety worldwide and look forward to the implementation of the recommendations from the conference. Picture Gallery

International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) Honored to Receive Observer Status by Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA)

Antalya, Turkiye – The International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) is honored to announce that it has been granted observer status by the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) during its 13th Plenary session held recently in Antalya, Turkiye. According to Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure of the APA, observer status has been granted to the IPC, which allows the IPC delegation to attend the sessions of the 14th APA Plenary as Observers, based on Article 6 of its Charter. “This is a significant achievement for the IPC and a testament to our commitment to promoting parliamentary democracy and cooperation in the Asian region,” said IPC Secretary General, Senator Sitara Ayaz. “We look forward to contributing to the work of the APA and strengthening our relationship with the parliamentary community in Asia.” The observer status allows the IPC to participate in the meetings and activities of the APA, but will not have the right to vote or propose resolutions. The International Parliamentarians Congress is an international organization that brings together parliamentarians from around the world to promote democracy, human rights, and sustainable development. The organization is committed to working with other parliamentary organizations and intergovernmental bodies to strengthen the role of parliamentarians in promoting global peace and prosperity. The Asian Parliamentary Assembly is a regional inter-parliamentary organization that brings together parliamentarians from across Asia to promote cooperation and understanding among the nations of the region. The APA is committed to working with other regional and international organizations to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in Asia. For more information about the International Parliamentarians Congress, please visit our website at ipcongress.org or follow @ipcongress_ on Twitter.

A two-Member delegation of the International Parliamentarians, Congress (IPC) attended the 44th Conference and 78th Session of the Executive Committee of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) at Victoria Falls-Zimbabwe

In October 2021, International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) received “Observer Status” in the 76th Session of the Executive Committee of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) by the Chairperson of APU in Djibouti. IPC and APU are continuously working towards developing and strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations among the various countries and spreading harmony and security in the African region through the platform of APU and IPC. In the same context, IPC received an invitation to the 44th Conference of Speakers of National Parliamentary Assemblies and the 78th Session of Executive meeting of APU held in Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe on 9th -10th November 2022. The two-member delegation, headed by the Secretary General IPC Senator Sitara Ayaz and also Assistant Secretary General IPC Mr. Ijlal Ali Khan assured the presence of IPC as an observer organization in the meeting and significantly attended it. The meeting discussed the important agendas including conflict, terrorism, and the issues caused by the conflicts, affecting the lives of people. IPC’s agenda of working towards peace and harmony would engage the African world to work collectively in achieving the mutual objective of stability, Sovereignty, and integration among nation-states. The delegation was honoured to meet several Speakers of Parliaments, and its Parliamentarians and engaged them over the IPC role, its aims, and future engagements on common objectives. The letters to all the member state’s speakers were also shared for further correspondence and strengthening of bilateral relations. This meeting played a very profound role in the future endeavours of IPC as 64 Parliamentarians from 13 countries became IPC members, reaching 170 + members from 47 Countries.

A delegation of the international parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) participated in the 5th General Assembly meeting of the Association World Election Body (A-WEB)

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and the Secretariat of the A-WEB invited the IPC Secretariat to the 5th General Assembly Meeting of A-WEB and the International Conference on “Safeguarding Election Management Bodies in the Age of Global Democratic Recession”, that took place in Cape Town, South Africa from 19th to 21st October 2022. Manager Coordination and Procurement IPC Mr. Fayaz Thaheem, attended the meeting to experience and have profound participation in the General Assembly as well as in the international conference. At the event, Mr. Fayaz Thaheem met Electoral Commissioners of various countries and briefed them about the role of IPC. Similarly, he also shared the letters, written by Secretary General IPC Senator Sitara Ayaz to the commissioners to form bilateral relations and work with IPC in unison under the capacity of thematic areas. The participation from IPC was greatly acknowledged by the A WEB. IPC also shared the Global Election Directory with the newly elected Chairperson of A WEB and also with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and shared IPC’s experience in observing the election missions globally. After this participation, IPC has further enhanced its relationship with countries and its election commissions to seek guidance for IPC’s future activities to implement them in a more experienced way.

The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Mr. Duarte Pacheco visited the International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) Secretariat in Islamabad and also became its member

IPU President Mr. Duarte Pacheco visited IPC Secretariat in Islamabad on 13th September 2022, during his three-day visit to Pakistan. He was accompanied by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman. Advisor to President IPC Mr. NoumanKhan and Secretary General IPC Senator Sitara Ayaz warmly welcomed him at IPC Secretariat. The meeting initiated with a comprehensive briefing about IPC to Mr. President, explaining the role of IPC and its journey of three years. Mr. Duarte appreciated the work of IPC in strengthening the role of individual parliamentarians towards development and promoting harmony. He shared his interest to work together for the mutual goal of spreading peace and democracy around the world and thus became a member of IPC by signing a membership form. The meeting was concluded by presenting the souvenirs to Mr. Duarte as a token of thanks for visiting IPC and becoming its member. IPC welcomes President IPU Mr. Duarte Pacheco as its honorable member and looks forward to strengthening cordial relations and working together on mutual goals

International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) Organizes A Meeting On Climate Change

Climate change is a serious risk to lives and threatens to undo decades of development efforts. The adverse effects of climate change are already evident, natural disasters are more frequent and more devastating making developing countries more vulnerable. Climate change is a global phenomenon, its negative impacts are more severely felt by everyone around the world. International Parliamentarians Congress is extensively working on Climate change and feel the need to highlight this issue specifically focusing on Water scarcity due to climate change. Therefore, a meeting was organized by IPC highlighting the topic “Climate Change and its implication on Water Scarcity” today. The objective of the meeting was to share and discuss the issue of climate change in detail focusing on the South Asia and South East Asia region and identifying ways to highlight the Water scarcity issue among the Parliamentarians of their respective countries. During the meeting, the Speakers including Chief Executive of Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change Ms. Ayesha Khan and Director of Riphah Institute of Public Policy Dr. Rashid Aftab talked about the global impact of Climate Change and the implementation of action to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change, and global warming. The meeting was attended by the Ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Nepal, Indonesia, China, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, and Sri Lanka, and representation from some prominent organizations including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, GIZ, National Disaster Management Authority, Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change, Institute of Regional Studies, and various Parliamentarians also showed their presence. The meeting was honored by the presence of the Federal Minister of the Ministry of States and Frontier Region (SAFFRON) as a Chief Guest who shared his views on the current Global issue of Climate Change and the role of Parliamentarians to mitigate it. He emphasizes on strengthening the bilateral relation with various countries to tackle the issue. Today, Pakistan is facing the consequences and we do not want it to reach out to other countries. Keeping in view the goals of IPC, the outcome of the meeting will be taking forward to consolidate it and further organize Global Conference on water Scarcity to reach out to global Parliamentarians and stakeholders. The meeting was concluded with the distribution of souvenirs and giveaways to all dignitaries as a token of thanks for their kind participation. https://ipcongress.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IPC-LQ.mp4