136th Inter-Parliamentary Union is held in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was appointed by the former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, to serve on the SUN Movement Lead Group for a period of two years. Photo: Inter-Parliamentary Union

From 1 April 2017, the 136th Inter-Parliamentarian Union General Assembly brought together over 1,000 delegates from 131 Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) countries to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the five-day Assembly began with the theme “Redressing inequalities: Delivering on dignity and well-being for all” at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

During the event, nutrition was raised as an issue underpinning economic development of nations. Chairperson of National Council of Parliament of Bhutan Sonam Kinga, and parliamentarians of different countries, took part in a general debate with Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury as chair. Sonam Kinga said, “Malnutrition is a country specific problem. Every country has different magnitude of hunger and malnutrition problems. So, we have to work together to fight malnutrition and hunger problems considering different food security sceneries.” He said, “Bangladesh has made a considerable progress in different fields of development. That is why Bangladesh is a model for many developing nations.” There is close link between nutrition and development, Sonam said, “We have to overcome the malnutrition problems through intensifying our efforts. Otherwise development programmes might be hampered due to lack of nutrition.”

Women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health issues were also reflected widely throughout the IPU Assembly agenda. PMNCH Executive Director Helga Fogstad moderated a panel discussion on 2 April, “Breaking Down Barriers for Improved Health of Young Generations: A Multisectoral Approach,” in support of Every Woman Every Child. Panelists included the World Health Organization Director of Reproductive Health and Research, Mr. Ian Askew, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Coordinator, Ms. Gerda Verburg, Zambian Minister of Higher Education, Ms. Nkandu Luo, and Tanzanian MP, Mr. Faustine Ndugulile. Panellists discussed how parliamentarians can scale up action through multi-sector approaches and partnerships to address key health determinants, including nutrition, skills development, education and protection from gender-based violence.

Details of deliberations

Resolutions and other documents

Learn more >> Inter-Parliamentarian Union, Amar Health, Every Woman Every Child,

We need you as MPs to work for better nutrition. Set up budget, involve stakeholders. GerdaVerburg @SUN_Movement #IPU136 pic.twitter.com/kScwYCeLoY

— IPUparliament (@IPUparliament) April 3, 2017

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