Polarised IPU Assembly in Geneva
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The conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine left a distinct mark on the Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) 149th Assembly which was held in Geneva on 13-18 October. Six members of the Riksdag participated in the Assembly.
During the Assembly's main negotiations, countries from the Arab Group and Iran presented an emergency item condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon. When Israel responded during the session, many members of parliament from the Middle East chose to leave the room in protest.
The proposal from the Arab countries was defeated by a narrow margin. Instead, a resolution, primarily from countries in Europe, was adopted in which, inter alia, Russia's aggression in Ukraine was condemned.
IPU President's meeting with Putin questioned
During the discussions on Russia's war in Ukraine, the fact that the IPU's new President, Tulia Ackson from Tanzania, held a meeting with Russia's President Putin during the summer.
Many members questioned the appropriateness of this meeting, and the Chair of the Swedish delegation, Margareta Cederfelt (Moderate Party) stated in her speech that the IPU must use its mandate to push for Russia's unconditional withdrawal from Ukraine.
Serkan Köse (Social Democratic Party) is the IPU delegation's Deputy Chair. He participated, inter alia, in committee work for sustainable development. In his speech he highlighted the importance of sustainable management of natural resources in order to prevent conflicts.
AI resolution with a focus on regulatory frameworks
The overall theme of the Assembly was artificial intelligence (AI) and the promises and dangers that the new technology holds. Ulrik Nilsson (Moderate Party) and Janine Alm Ericson (Green Party) participated in driving through the main resolution on artificial intelligence, where the majority of Sweden's proposals were adopted. These highlighted, for example, the importance of regulatory frameworks on AI and their ability to defend freedom of expression and liberal democracy.
Mattias Karlsson (Sweden Democrats) is the Chair of the High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism. During his speech he stressed that the focus is currently on the Sahel region in North Africa, where terrorism and extremism have grown strong. AI can, for example, be used here to identify and counter problems more easily.
Angelika Bengtsson (Sweden Democrats) also participated in the negotiations for young parliamentarians. She underlined the role of Swedish youth associations in fostering and developing the politicians of tomorrow.
The Secretary-General of the Riksdag Ingvar Mattson also attended the Assembly and took part in a special programme for the Secretaries-General of parliaments.
Bilateral meetings
In addition to the ordinary meetings, the members held a number of bilateral meetings with parliamentarians from Myanmar, Poland and Afghanistan. Parliamentarians from the Nordic and Baltic countries also held a special meeting with a focus on the war in Ukraine.
New positions
Margareta Cederfelt (Moderate Party) was elected Deputy Chair of the IPU Working Group on Science and Technology.
Members
The members of the Swedish delegation who participated in Geneva were:
- Margareta Cederfelt (Moderate Party), Chair
- Serkan Köse (Social Democratic Party), Deputy Chair
- Mattias Karlsson (Sweden Democrats)
- Angelika Bengtsson (Sweden Democrats)
- Janine Alm Ericson (Green Party)
- Ulrik Nilsson (Moderate Party)
Ingvar Mattson, Secretary-General of the Riksdag, also participated in the Assembly.
Further information
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organisation of world parliaments, consists of 180 member countries and 12 regional parliamentary bodies from the whole world. The IPU holds two large meetings every year.
Contact person for the media
Björn Sondén, International Adviser, International Department of the Riksdag, telephone +46-70-361 88 02, email: bjorn.sonden@riksdagen.se.