Why in the News?
On April 8, 2025, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla delivered the keynote address at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
About the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):
- The IPU is the global organization that connects national parliaments, promoting democracy and cooperation among countries.
- Moto: “For democracy. For everyone.”
- It is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Establishment:
- It was established in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization aimed at fostering international cooperation and dialogue.
- It was founded by Englishman William Randal Cremer and Frenchman Frederic Passy, two visionaries who believed in resolving international disputes through peaceful arbitration.
- Both went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.
- Structure and Mandate:
- It comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members (mostly regional parliamentary bodies).
- It is funded by its members out of public funds.
- The Governing Council is made up of 3 MPs from each Member Parliament.
- Core Functions:
- It advocates for stronger, more inclusive, and diverse parliaments.
- It defends the human rights of parliamentarians and organizes biennial assemblies to bring together parliamentary delegates and partners from around the world.
- It works on issues like global governance, the United Nations, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Key Milestones Achieved:
- The first IPU conference was held in 1889 in Paris, with participation from MPs across Europe and beyond.
- The IPU played a key role in establishing the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 1899.
- It laid the groundwork for the creation of the League of Nations in 1919 and the United Nations in 1945.
India’s Participation in the IPU:
- India’s membership in the IPU is facilitated through the Indian Parliamentary Group, which serves as the National Group of the IPU.
- The IPG was established in 1949 following a motion adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India.
- The Speaker of the Lok Sabha serves as the ex-officio President of the IPG, while the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha serve as Vice Presidents.
| [UPSC 2005] Consider the following statements:
1. The Charter of the United Nations Organization was adopted at Geneva, Switzerland in June 1945; 2. India was admitted to the United Nations Organization in the year 1945; 3. The Trusteeship Council of the United Nations Organization was established to manage the affairs of territories detached from Japan and Italy after WWII. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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