INTER PARLIAMENTARY UNION

Established in the year 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Union is the international organisation that brings together the parliaments of Sovereign States. It is the sole organisation that represents the legislative branch of State on a global scale. Through parliamentary dialogue IPU has been working for peace and cooperation among peoples for firm establishment of representative institutions. The membership of IPU currently stands at 138 National Parliaments.

To strive for peace and cooperation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative institutions. Within this broad mandate, the organisation works to strengthen the sinews of parliamentary democracy throughout the world.

(i) Assembly : The IPU meets in the plenary in the Assembly. It holds one 5-day session in the first half of each year , at the invitation of one of its members, and meets for three days during the second half of each year. The Assembly is assisted in its work by the following three Standing Committees namely (a) Committee on International peace and security (b) Committee on Sustainable development, financing and trade and (c) Committee on democracy and human rights.

These Standing Committees debate and prepare a report on one item and present a resolution for adoption by the Assembly.

(ii) Governing Council : The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is the plenary policy-making body of the IPU. Each Council delegation is normally composed of three delegates, generally representing different political persuasions. The Council decides on all questions relating to the membership of the organisation and adopts the programme and budget. The Council also elects the members of the Union’s governing bodies, and in particular, its President.

(iii) Executive Committee: It is the chief administrative organ of the Union and prepares recommendations for action by the Governing Council. It is Chaired by the Council President and composed of 15 members.

(iv) Meeting of Women Parliamentarians: Established in 1978, the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians has been part of the Union’s official structure since 1999. It reports to the Council. The meeting brings together nearly 150 women parliamentarians from around 100 countries, who discuss topics relating to the status of women.

(v) The Secretariat: The Secretariat of the IPU is based in Geneva. The Secretary General of the Union is Mr. Anders B. Johnsson, who is responsible for carrying out the IPU’s programme of activities. The IPU is financed directly by its members from public funds. The IPU receives external support for certain special activities.

The IPU year revolves around the biannual assemblies. These are large conferences that bring together hundreds of MPs to discuss the most salient issues on the international agenda. The members express the parliamentary view on the question of the day in the form of resolutions.

For further details regarding the Inter-Parliamentary Union, its history, organisation, structure, activities etc. , the official web site of the union i.e.

http://www.ipu.org

may be logged on.

Any Parliament of a sovereign country could apply for membership of the IPU. India joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the year 1949. Since then, India has been an active member of the Union and has participated in all its meetings/events. Indian Parliamentary Delegations representing the different political parties have been attending the IPU Conferences.

The Speaker, Lok Sabha is the President of the India Group of the IPU and under his directions , the Group carries out all its activities.

So, far, India has had the privilege of playing host to the following International Conferences under the auspices of IPU:

3. Specialised IPU Conference on “Towards partnership between men and women in politics” in February, 1997

India has had the opportunity to preside over the three International Conferences held in India in the year 1969, 1993 and 1997. These three conferences were presided over by the then Speakers of Lok Sabha as under:

Shri G.S. Dhillon Speaker, Lok Sabha	57^th IPU Conference in 1969
Shri Shivraj V. Patil Speaker, Lok Sabha	89^th IPU Conference in 1993
Shri P.A. Sangma Speaker, Lok Sabha	Specialised IPU Conference on “Towards partnership between men and women in politics” in 1997

India has had the proud privilege of being represented in the Executive Committee of IPU. The representation of the India Group on the Executive Committee of the IPU has been as under:

President of Inter-Parliamentary Council and Ex-Officio Chairman of the Executive Committee

1. Shri Mohan Lal Gautam MP	1949 to 1953
2. Shri H.N. Kunzru, MP	1959 to 1961
3. Dr. N. Sanjiva Reddy, MP, Speaker, Lok Sabha	1968 to 1970
4. Dr. G.S. Dhillon, MP Speaker, Lok Sabha	1971 to 1972
5. Dr. Balram Jakhar, MP Speaker, Lok Sabha	1983 to 1987
6. Dr.(Smt.) Najma Heptulla, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha	1995 to 1999

The ASGP is an IPU Consultative body that brings together senior parliamentary officials to study parliamentary law and promote cooperation between the services of different parliaments. It is an autonomous self managing body, that meets during Inter-Parliamentary Conferences and works in conjunction with the IPU bodies responsible for the study of parliamentary institutions. The Secretary General of Lok Sabha and the Secretary General of Rajya Sabha from the Indian Parliament are members of this body.

India’s representation to the Executive Committee of this Association has so far been as under:

1. Dr. G.S. Dhillon, MP Speaker, Lok Sabha	1973 to 1976
2. Dr.(Smt) Najma Heptulla, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha	1999 to 2002

Shri S.L. Shakdher Secretary General , Lok Sabha	Elected President of the Association in 1973-77
Shri G. C. Malhotra Secretary General, Lok Sabha	Elected as a member of the Executive Committee in 2003 for a 3- year term.