Dhaka: The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will deepen cooperation with Bangladesh to strengthen its parliamentary democracy and enhance lawmakers’ capacity as the country moves forward with a young and newly constituted parliament, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shama emphasized that the IPU will collaborate with Bangladesh to further fortify democracy in the country. She addressed journalists at the Foreign Ministry following a meeting with visiting IPU Secretary General Anda Filip. The IPU delegation is currently observing Bangladesh’s political and democratic climate, engaging with lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, as well as women parliamentarians.
The delegation is evaluating how parliamentary democracy is functioning in Bangladesh after the country’s shift to democratic governance following years of political transition, Shama explained. She highlighted the IPU’s favorable view of Bangladesh’s new parliament due to the presence of numerous young and first-time lawmakers.
Shama noted that Bangladesh’s parliament now comprises many young and first-time MPs, which the IPU perceives positively. In her discussions with the IPU Secretary General, they explored ways to enhance the skills and institutional capacity of Bangladeshi lawmakers and to strengthen their interaction with parliamentarians globally.
Shama expressed Bangladesh’s interest in increased participation by its lawmakers in the IPU’s capacity-building and training programs, particularly those held in Geneva. Additionally, the discussions encompassed topics such as democracy, human rights, peace and stability, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), women’s empowerment, gender equality, and climate resilience, which Shama identified as government priorities.
The state minister conveyed the government’s commitment to closer engagement with the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Furthermore, the IPU is set to hold a conference in Tanzania next month, with Bangladesh’s Speaker and parliament members expected to attend.
Anda Filip arrived in Dhaka on Sunday night and is scheduled to depart Bangladesh on September 2. During her visit, the IPU Secretary General has toured the Bangladesh Parliament and engaged with lawmakers. She also visited the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where she viewed photographs, documents, memorabilia, and other exhibits related to the July Mass Uprising of 2024 and preceding events.