International Parliamentarians' Congress

International Parliamentarians' Congress
Formation2019
HeadquartersIslamabad, Pakistan
Membership62
Secretary General
Senator Sitara Ayaz
President
Abdel Rahim Maaia
Key people
Ijlal Ali Khan
Websitehttps://ipcongress.org/

The International Parliamentarians' Congress (IPC) is an international organization established in 2019, aimed at fostering global cooperation among parliamentarians. The Congress promotes peace, democracy, human rights, and sustainable development through dialogue and collaboration between national parliaments. IPC was founded under the leadership of Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, and brings together parliamentarians from around the world to address global challenges.[1]

History

The IPC was formally established on August 29, 2019, through a resolution adopted by the Senate of Pakistan. Its founding aimed to create a platform where parliamentarians could collaborate on resolving global issues such as climate change, food security, and human rights. The Congress has since expanded to include 233 members from 61 countries.[2]

Objectives

The Congress focuses on several key objectives, including:

  • Promoting parliamentary cooperation on global challenges.
  • Enhancing democracy, peace, and human rights.
  • Fostering dialogue on climate change and food security.
  • Supporting the monitoring and observation of elections worldwide.[1]

Structure and membership

The IPC is composed of parliamentarians from various national parliaments around the world. Its membership is open to sitting parliamentarians who complete the necessary membership forms. As of 2024, the Congress has members from 61 countries.[2]

The governing body of IPC includes a President, currently Abdel Rahim Maaia, and a Secretary-General, Senator Sitara Ayaz. The Congress holds regular conferences, workshops, and election observation missions.[3]

Election observation missions

IPC has been actively involved in election observation missions across different countries to promote transparent and fair democratic processes. For example, in February 2024, an IPC delegation observed the presidential elections in Azerbaijan.[4]

The IPC also observed the 2023 Presidential Elections in Uzbekistan and the General Elections in Thailand.[5][6]

Headquarters

In 2023, the IPC held the groundbreaking ceremony for its permanent headquarters in the Diplomatic Enclave in Islamabad, marking a significant step in its institutional development.[7]

Observer status

The IPC has been granted observer status by several regional parliamentary organizations, including the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) and the African Parliamentary Union (APU). This status allows IPC to participate in meetings and discussions, although without voting rights.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "About Us - International Parliamentarians Congress". Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Home - International Parliamentarians Congress". Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "IPC Team - International Parliamentarians Congress". Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  4. ^ "IPC Delegation Observes Snap General Elections in Azerbaijan". 3 September 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "The delegation of International Parliamentarians Congress observes Uzbekistan elections". 10 July 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Delegation of International Parliamentarians' Congress Observes Thailand General Elections 2023". 14 May 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "IPC to inaugurate new headquarters in Islamabad". The Express Tribune. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) Honored to Receive Observer Status by Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA)". 10 January 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2024.