Speaker attends IPU Assembly in Geneva
THE Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, is attending the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva.
He was accompanied by the Government Whip and Assistant Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Alitia Bainivalu and the Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu.
The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments and this year’s assembly will focus on the theme Parliamentary diplomacy: Building bridges for peace and understanding. Ratu Naiqama explained the importance of the IPU meeting, which comprised of 180 national member parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies.
“We are the flag bearer and the voice of the Pacific, especially now with Fiji elected as chairperson of the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Parliamentary Group within the IPU,” he said
“Being accompanied by the Leader of the Opposition is historic as this emphasises the bipartisanship approach that we are undertaking in all our meetings such as the 147th IPU Assembly in Bahrain, COP28 in Dubai and PIPG meeting held in Tonga last year.”
Mr Seruiratu recognised the significant role that parliaments and parliamentarians hold within the IPU and emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in contributions and messages that align with Fiji’s priorities.
“Last year, I learnt a lot in Bahrain under the guidance and wisdom of the Honourable Speaker,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“We acknowledge the work by the previous government, and we want to lift our participation and involvement to another level.”