Enhancing global parliamentary connections with the Pacific

The Speaker, Rt Hon David Carter will welcome the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Martin Chungong and Speakers of the parliaments of the Cook Islands, the Republic of Fiji, Samoa, and the Kingdom of Tonga to New Zealand for a programme to enhance connections between the parliaments of the Pacific and the IPU.

The IPU is the world’s only global forum for parliamentary dialogue and cooperation and is an important advocate of stable, peaceful and representative democracy. IPU Secretary General, Mr Chungong has emphasised the desire of the IPU to engage more meaningfully with parliaments in the Pacific.

“Of the IPU’s 166 current members, very few are from the Pacific. It is important that the IPU is aware of the priorities for our region. The four legislatures joining us for the programme in New Zealand bring a diversity of size, systems and issues that will collectively enrich the IPU’s engagement in the region by providing a cross-section of Pacific perspectives," the Speaker said.

The objectives of this programme are to further strengthen the ties between New Zealand and legislatures in the Pacific, to raise and discuss issues of concern to Pacific parliaments with the IPU, and to foster new links between the Pacific parliaments and the IPU.

As part of the programme, the Secretary General and the Speakers will undertake a series of workshops and discussions themed around good governance and strengthening parliamentary democracy.

The Speaker sees supporting neighbours in the Pacific region as an important part of his role: “Our parliament is committed to capacity building and parliamentary strengthening in the Pacific. New Zealand is a Pacific country, and Pacific people and culture are an intrinsic and enriching part of New Zealand. This programme is part of a strategic effort to reinforce the importance of the Pacific region in a global context.”

The visit will take place 23-25 June 2015.

ENDS

© Scoop Media