SI Meeting at the 147th Assembly of the IPU in Angola

Report on the Socialist International Meeting at the 147th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Angola

The 147th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was held on 23-27 October in Luanda, Angola, hosted by the IPU. The General Assembly opened on the morning of 23 October and gathered over 1,500 parliamentary delegates from all continents. At the General Assembly, the Socialist International(SI) convened an annual meeting with the delegates representing their member parties, bringing together member parties and guests from around the world. 

The primary theme of the meeting centred on championing the indispensable role that social democratic parties play in advancing “Parliamentary Action for Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions” alongside The Role of Social Democratic Parties”. In conjunction with the primary theme, there was a “Brainstorming session on building an effective progressive coalition to advance legislative action on progressive policies”.

A dominant theme throughout the meeting was the importance of enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation. Such collaborations are seen as instrumental in fortifying global democratic principles. Moreover, the urgency of present-day issues, from the climate crisis to intensifying regional conflicts, was underscored by many member parties, emphasising the need for unified international action.

Agenda Item 1 - “Global Democratic Consolidation”: One of the primary emphases of the meeting was on fortifying democracy on a global scale. The parliamentarians highlighted the urgency of bolstering cooperation between progressive parties to advance this cause. Recognising that many regions are experiencing fluctuating democratic stability, a consensus emerged about the imperative nature of collaboration.

Agenda Item 2 - “Addressing the Climate Crisis”: Participants unanimously acknowledged the climate crisis as a pressing issue that requires collective action. They stressed the significance of drafting policies that are both effective and equitable, ensuring that vulnerable communities aren't left behind.

Agenda Item 3 - “Escalating Global Conflicts”: The parliamentarians expressed grave concerns regarding the escalating conflicts in various regions, including Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Gaza Strip. There was a shared sentiment of needing more robust, cooperative strategies to mitigate these conflicts and ensure global peace.