Media Statement

20 April 2007

NZ delegation to attend IPU assembly in Indonesia

New Zealand will be represented by a delegation of three MPs at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly in Indonesia.

The delegation will be led by John Carter (National Party); the other delegates are Dr Ashraf Choudhary (Labour Party) and Jeanette Fitzsimons (Green Party).

Established in 1889, the IPU is the international organisation of parliaments of sovereign states. It has 140 members and provides a focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue while working for peace and co-operation and for representative democracy.

The Speaker, Hon Margaret Wilson, says the assembly’s agenda includes a general debate on international political, economic and social issues with the overall theme of ‘Global warming: ten years after Kyoto’.

Other issues on the agenda include ensuring respect for and peaceful co-existence between all religious communities and beliefs in a globalised world; job creation and employment security in the era of globalisation, and promoting diversity and equal rights for all through universal democratic and electoral standards.

Ms Wilson said attendance at conferences such as the IPU enabled MPs to foster contacts and exchange experiences with parliaments and parliamentarians from other countries.

‘They consider questions of international interest and concern and this helps bring about action by parliaments and parliamentarians.’

The assembly will be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, April 29 to May 4.

ENDS

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