Guinea and Madagascar welcomed back to IPU fold

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has today welcomed back Guinea and Madagascar as Members of the Organization. Their readmission at the opening session of IPU’s 131st Assembly in Geneva increases IPU membership to 166 national parliaments.

Guinea had previously been an IPU Member between 1996-2007 and 2008-2009. Both departures from the Organization were due to the political instability in the West African country - the last one in 2009 following the dissolution of the National Assembly by a military coup in December 2008.

Parliamentary elections in September 2013, the first since 2002, have paved the way for Guinea’s re-affiliation to IPU.

Similarly, Madagascar had held IPU membership twice before – between 1978-1991 and 2005-2009, losing it due to a military coup in 2009. Following elections for a new parliament late last year, the Indian Ocean island-nation convened a new National Assembly in February 2014.

“We welcome back Guinea and Madagascar to IPU. It is a decision that acknowledges the progress both countries have made in restoring critical foundations for democracy in their respective societies,” said IPU President Abdelwahad Radi.

More than 720 MPs from 145 countries, including an unprecedented 113 Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament are attending the 131st IPU Assembly, which concludes on 16th October.

IPU Members will tackle a wide range of issues of global concern, including ending violence against women, the situation in the Middle East, water governance, coherent policies on drugs, sustainable development and climate change.

Members will decide late on Monday 13th on the issue which will be the focus of an emergency debate and resolution later in the week. Proposals include fighting terrorism and extremism, protecting the rights of the Palestinian people, addressing sovereign debt crises, combating human trafficking and responding to the Ebola crisis.

A new president of the Organization will also be elected on 16th October to take over from former Moroccan Speaker of Parliament, Abdelwahad Radi, who ends a three-year mandate.

Access the agenda and background documents at: http://www.ipu.org/Conf-e/131agnd.htm

Take part in or follow the Assembly debates through Twitter using #IPU131.

Picture editors: Photos from the Assembly will be available for free download and use at: http://www.ipu.org/131pics

Broadcasters: interviews will be available on ISDN number +4122 791 93 48.