THE SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE SENATE RETURNS FROM A WORK MISSION TO GENEVA

On Sunday, March 31, 2024, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Fabrice Nkurunziza, returned from a working mission to Geneva, Switzerland, where he participated in the 148^th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held from March 23 to 27, 2024. The theme of this Assembly was: “parliamentary diplomacy: building links to promote peace and understanding”.

The Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate indicated that alongside this theme, other themes were discussed. He indicated notably accountability for the implementation of resolutions and other decisions of the Assembly; partnership for climate action; the social and humanitarian impact of autonomous weapons systems and artificial intelligence.

Honourable Nkurunziza indicated that on the sidelines of this Assembly, related meetings were organized by the IPU committees on specialized issues including the meeting of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians and the meeting of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the third conference of the Non-Aligned Movement.

At the end of the session, the Inter-Parliamentary Union adopted two declarations, one relating to parliamentary diplomacy and the other relating to the third conference of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Concerning parliamentary diplomacy, the IPU reaffirmed the essential role of parliamentarians and parliaments in the prevention, peaceful resolution of conflicts and mediation, he indicated.

Thus, the Inter-Parliamentary Union has made a commitment to promote wider participation of women and young people in political life and in leadership positions in all sectors, according to the same source.

As for the Non-Aligned Movement, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate indicated that the 148^th IPU Assembly analyzed the issues which concern this group and granted it observer status in international organizations, allowing it to form its own Network and create permanent non-aligned commissions within the IPU.

Honourable Nkurunziza announced that the participation of the Parliament of Burundi in this meeting was an opportunity to exchange experience with other parliaments and to share the Burundian experience in peacebuilding and significant progress of women integration and young people in decision-making spheres.