The Assembly’s general discussion was devoted to “Gender equality and gender-responsive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world.”
The Russian parliamentary delegation led by Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev took part in the 145th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Kigali, Republic of Rwanda.
The delegation included Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Lilia Gumerova, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Andrey Klimov, member of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Alexander Vainberg, and State Duma deputies.
The general discussion was devoted to the topic “Gender equality and gender-responsive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world.” Delegations from 109 countries took part in the IPU Assembly, 43 of them were led by chairs and 38 by deputy chairs of parliaments. President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame, speakers of both houses of Rwanda’s parliament, and IPU President Duarte Pacheco delivered opening remarks.
Konstantin Kosachev used the platform to clarify Russia's position with regard to the Ukraine crisis. In particular, hearings were held during the session on a draft resolution on the emergency agenda item “Condemning the invasion of Ukraine and subsequent annexation of territories in the context of ensuring compliance with the principle of territorial integrity of all states.”
In addition, the Federal Assembly delegation took part in a meeting of the IPU Working Group on Ukraine to discuss ways to promote interparliamentary dialogue in the interests of peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis. The group included speakers of the parliaments of South Africa and Namibia, deputy speaker of the parliament of the Netherlands, MPs from the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Israel. According to the participants, the dialogue was constructive.
According to Konstantin Kosachev, Russia's position is based on a deep belief that the IPU has a mission and a clear potential to help find mutually acceptable solutions. “The potential is realised in the format of the Working Group rather than in the format of endless urgent debates,” the Federation Council Deputy Speaker said.
Konstantin Kosachev said Russia was ready to take part in the trilateral IPU-Russia-Ukraine meeting, if the organisation supported his proposal to hold such an event “behind closed doors” at one of the upcoming IPU events.
Konstantin Kosachev and Alexander Vainberg also participated in the discussion of the draft resolution “Parliamentary impetus to local and regional development of countries with high levels of international migration and to stopping all forms, including state-sponsored, of human-trafficking and human rights abuses” as part of the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights’ activities.
The Assembly also hosted the 34th session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians. Lilia Gumerova spoke at a panel discussion on “Gender-responsive parliaments: Parliaments free of sexism, sexual harassment and violence against women.” The senator also took part in a meeting of the 48th session of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, where a discussion took place on forum proposals for presenting at the IPU Assembly, as well as activities in the sphere of promoting gender equality as part of the 10th anniversary of the IPU Action Plan for gender-sensitive parliaments.
The Russian parliamentarians held a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the assembly. In particular, Konstantin Kosachev met with President of the Senate of Rwanda Augustin Iyamuremye.
In the run-up to the 145th IPU Assembly, the delegation of the Federation Council took part in a meeting of “Eurasia” geopolitical group, which also includes delegations from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. During the meeting, IPU President Duarte Pacheco presented a report on the main activities held as part of the assembly in Kigali.
The next, 146th IPU Assembly will be held in Bahrain on 11–15 March 2023.