Erasmus Shalihaxwe
National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi will lead a delegation of parliamentarians to the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13 to 17 October.
On Wednesday, the information division of the parliament announced that Katjavivi’s attendance at this assembly will be his final international parliamentary event in his capacity as Speaker of the National Assembly.
“On the latter, the IPU has made diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the Middle East crisis and this has laid the groundwork for parliamentary diplomacy during the upcoming assembly. The IPU Committee on Middle East Questions, which consists of 12 MPs, including representatives from Israel and Palestine, is expected to consider what parliamentary actions can contribute to finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis,” said the parliament.
Katjavivi is also the vice president of the IPU task force on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, whose activities will be discussed during the plenary.
The IPU Working Group on Science and Technology is currently developing the IPU Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology, and it further announced Katjavivi’s expected participation in a general debate on the theme.
“The IPU Assembly is a global organisation of parliaments from around the world that brings together lawmakers to identify international challenges and make recommendations for action. Namibia is a member of the IPU,” reads the statement.
Other MPs accompanying Katjavivi include Vincent Mareka, Maria Kamutali, and Loide Iipinge from the National Assembly.
The National Council is represented by Victoria Kauma, Emma Muteka, Paul Isaak, and Alfeus Abraham.
According to a statement released by the world parliamentary body before the meeting, hundreds of parliamentarians, United Nations partners, experts, and parliamentary staff from around the globe are expected to participate.
The assembly will culminate in the adoption of an outcome document centred on the general debate theme: “Harnessing Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future.”
Namibian parliamentarians who are part of the organization’s statutory bodies will engage in extensive discussions on topics such as the role of parliaments in preventing conflicts over natural resources, achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and an expert hearing on advancing a two-state solution in Palestine
