GENEVA, Switzerland – Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla led a Parliamentary Delegation from India to the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, held in Geneva from 13th to 17th October 2024.
149th IPU Assembly: India Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateralism
While addressing the Assembly, Shri Om Birla spoke on the official theme:
“Harnessing Science, Technology, and Innovation for a More Peaceful and Sustainable Future.”
He reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the vital role of inter-parliamentary dialogue in addressing global challenges. He stressed that science and innovation must benefit all—not just a select few.
149th IPU Assembly: Call for Equitable Technological Progress
Shri Birla urged all parliaments to collaborate and promote inclusive development. He advocated for the equitable distribution of the benefits derived from scientific and technological advancements.
According to him, inclusive innovation is essential to create a sustainable and resilient future for all nations.
149th IPU Assembly: Focus on Global Peace and Sustainability
Highlighting India’s initiatives in technology and innovation, Shri Birla showcased how India’s digital transformation has helped address social and economic gaps. He emphasized that technological progress should support peace, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
149th IPU Assembly: India’s Active Role in IPU
India continues to play a proactive role in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, engaging in dialogues that support climate action, digital equity, and socio-economic development through science and innovation.
The 149th IPU Assembly brought together delegates from over 180 member parliaments, making it a key platform for promoting democratic values and global parliamentary cooperation.
Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla addressed the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva on the theme:
“Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation for a More Peaceful and Sustainable Future.”
Speaking on India’s growing global leadership, Shri Birla emphasized the country’s transformative efforts in technology, climate action, and inclusive governance.
India’s Climate Leadership and Renewable Energy Push
Addressing the pressing issue of climate change, Shri Birla referenced the visionary initiative “One Sun, One World, One Grid” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted India’s rapid growth in renewable energy capacity and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to sustainable development.
India: Third-Largest Start-Up Ecosystem in the World
Shri Birla proudly shared that India ranks as the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, with 118 Unicorns valued at over USD $355 billion. He credited the success to the government’s Start-up India initiative, which has empowered entrepreneurs and driven innovation.
Digital Governance and Financial Inclusion
He emphasized India’s unprecedented use of technology in governance, especially for public service delivery. Shri Birla detailed the success of the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile) in promoting financial inclusion.
Through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), the Indian government has transferred over ₹2.495 trillion INR directly to beneficiaries under 314 welfare schemes. This digital strategy has enhanced transparency and accountability in public administration.
Call for Strong Data Protection and Ethical Tech Use
Shri Birla called for a robust global regulatory framework to protect citizens’ data and ensure the responsible use of emerging technologies. He noted India’s legislative progress in technology and environmental issues.
He also spotlighted Digital Sansad, a digital initiative that has improved efficiency and transparency within Indian parliamentary processes.
India’s Role in Global Parliamentary Diplomacy
Concluding his address, Shri Birla said that the IPU Assembly reflects the strength of India’s parliamentary diplomacy. He reiterated India’s pivotal role in fostering global cooperation to address shared challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and innovation-driven development.
High-Level Indian Parliamentary Delegation at IPU
The Indian Parliamentary Delegation to the 149th IPU Assembly included:
Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha
Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, MP
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, MP
Shri Rajeev Shukla, MP
Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram, MP
Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, MP
Dr. Sasmit Patra, MP
Smt. Mamata Mohanta, MP
Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General, Lok Sabha
Shri P. C. Mody, Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha
Click IPJ story on Indian delegation to IPU.
149th IPU Assembly: Know about Indian Parliamentary delegation
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Hon’ble Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla participating in the Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly 2024 with Hon’bleLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 14 October 2024.
Parliamentary bilateral meetings:
Hon’ble Speaker of the Indian Parliament Om Birla also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from parliaments of other countries, such as Oman, Algeria, Seychelles, Nepal, Switzerland, Thailand, Armenia and Maldives etc. He also addressed the Indian Diaspora in Geneva.
The Assembly adopted a resolution on the emergency item titled “Response by Parliamentarians to the urgent plea by the UN Secretary-General to recommit to multilateralism for global peace, justice, and sustainability.”
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla held a bilateral meeting with Speaker of the Consultative Assembly of Oman State Council H.E. Khalid Al Mawali, on the sidelines of 149th IPU Assembly on 14 October 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met His Excellency Mr. Roger Mancienne, Speaker, Seychelles` National Assembly on the sidelines of IPU149 on 14 October, 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met His Excellency Mr. Roger Mancienne, Speaker, Seychelles` National Assembly on the sidelines of IPU149 on 14 October, 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Namibia`s National Assembly Speaker, H.E. Peter Katjavivi on the sidelines of IPU149 in Geneva on 14 October, 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met Hon`ble Mr. Lungten Dorji, Speaker, Bhutan National Assembly during IPU149 in Geneva on 14 October, 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla with Speaker of the Consultative Assembly of Oman State Council H.E. Khalid Al Mawali, on the sidelines of 149th IPU Assembly on 14 October 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met with Speaker of House of Representatives of Australia H.E. Mr. Milton Dick, on the sidelines of 149th Assembly of Inter Parliamentary Union on 15 October 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met with Speaker of National Assembly of Zimbabwe H.E. Mr. Jacob Mudenda, on the sidelines of 149th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union on 15 October 2024
Lok Sabha Speaker met H.E. Mr. Eric NUSSBAUMER, President of the National Council, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the 149th Assembly of IPU in Geneva on 15 October, 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met President of the National People`s Assembly of Algeria., H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Boughali on the sidelines of 149th Assembly of IPU in Geneva on 16-17 October 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met H.E. Mr. Mongkol Surasajja, President of the Senate of Thailand on the sidelines of the 149th Assembly of IPU in Geneva on 15 October 2024
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met H.E. Mr. Alen Simonyan, President of Armenia`s National Assembly, at the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva on 15 October, 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met Speaker, People`s Majlis of Maldives, H.E. Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla on the sidelines of the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva on 15 October, 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met Speaker, People`s Majlis of Maldives, H.E. Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla on the sidelines of the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva on 15 October, 2024
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met H.E. Narayan Prasad Dahal, Chairperson of National Assembly of Nepal on the sidelines of the 149th Assembly of IPU in Geneva on 15 October, 2024.
On the sidelines of the 149th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met the President of the IPU H.E. Ms. Tulia Ackson on 15 October, 2024
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh with the President of the IPU H.E. Ms. Tulia Ackson in Geneva on 15 October, 2024.
Indian MPs in IPU Committees:
The Indian delegation engaged in various Committee Meetings and Sessions during the Assembly.It is noteworthy that the reports from the four Standing Committees of the IPU—namely, those addressing Peace and International Security, Sustainable Development, Democracy and Human Rights, and United Nations Affairs—were also adopted. Members of the IPD participated actively in the discussions surrounding these reports.
Particularly commendable was the approval by the IPU’s Governing Council of Indian candidates—Smt. Bijuli Kalita Medhi, MP (Working Group on Science and Technology), Dr. Lata Wankhede, MP (IPU High-Level Advisory Group on Counter Terrorism and Violent Extremism), and Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, MP (IPU Standing Committee on UN Affairs)—who were endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Group.
Hon’ble Lok Sabha MP Smt. Aparajita Sarangi joined Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh at the Governing Council Meeting of the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva.
India’s active delegation took part in high-level discussions and committee meetings focused on global peace, democracy, sustainable development, and human rights.
Resolution on AI and Democracy Adopted
The IPU adopted a major resolution titled “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law.”
Dr. Sasmit Patra, MP, co-drafted the resolution and played a key role in its development.
Additionally, Dr. Patra was appointed as one of three rapporteurs for a forthcoming IPU resolution on “Recognizing and Supporting the Victims of Illegal International Adoption.”
This resolution will be discussed at the 150th IPU Assembly and presented during the 151st Assembly.
Smt. Aparajita Sarangi Attends IPU Executive Committee Sessions
As Vice President of the IPU Executive Committee, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi actively participated in the committee’s sessions. The meetings endorsed:
Amendments to the IPU Statutes and Rules
A new Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology
Revised rules for the Cremer-Passy Prize
These changes align with IPU’s efforts to modernize parliamentary standards and ethics.
Indian MPs Contribute Across Key Committees
Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, MP, shared India’s perspective on global peace and security at the Bureau of the IPU Standing Committee on Peace and International Security.
Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram, MP, presented India’s sustainable development efforts during the Bureau Meeting of the IPU Standing Committee on Sustainable Development.
Smt. Mamata Mohanta, MP, engaged in meetings of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the IPU Governing Council, reinforcing India’s commitment to gender equality in governance.
Shri Rajeev Shukla, MP, attended a panel discussion on defending democracy through parliamentary development and a workshop on practical tools to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Secretary General Lok Sabha Addresses Global Parliamentarians
On October 16, 2024, Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, addressed the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP).
He discussed India’s parliamentary innovations, including Digital Sansad, and emphasized efficiency, transparency, and democratic resilience in legislative institutions.
India Reinforces Global Parliamentary Leadership
India’s multi-member delegation showcased its active parliamentary diplomacy at the 149th IPU Assembly. From artificial intelligence to peace and sustainability, Indian MPs contributed to shaping global parliamentary dialogue on critical international issues.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla participating in the Governing Council meeting of IPU on the concluding day of its 149th Assembly on 17 October, 2024.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla during an interaction with President of the National People’s Assembly, H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Boughali on the sidelines of 149th Assembly of IPU in Geneva on 16 and 17 October, 2024
Meeting with Indian Diaspora in Geneva:
Addressing the Indian diaspora, Sh. Birla praised their skill, talent, and commitment. Recognizing their potential as the nation’s strongest brand ambassadors and noting their ability to foster familial relationships and harmony wherever they reside, Shri Birla emphasized the values of diversity and inclusiveness that define the Indian community. He highlighted India’s leadership in confronting global challenges, attributing this confidence to both strong leadership and the power of its citizens and Diaspora.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla addressing members of the Indian Diaspora in Geneva on 14 October, 2024
He added that Indo-Swiss collaboration has flourished in areas including trade, investment, technology, education, and the environment. Speaking about the economic ties between India and Switzerland, Shri Birla observed that the signing of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between EFTA countries, including India and Switzerland, is a significant step toward mutual economic development and job creation.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla addressing members of the Indian Diaspora in Geneva on 14 October, 2024
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in Geneva on 16 October, 2024, during his visit to the city for the 149th Assembly of IPU.
The IPU has 180 member parliaments and 15 associate members. Members include parliaments from large countries like China, India, and Indonesia, as well as smaller countries like Cabo Verde, San Marino, and Palau.
Jamaica became the 181st member of the IPU during the Assembly. The next Assembly will be hosted by Uzbekistan, which has invited all member parliaments of the IPU to the 150th Assembly in Tashkent, scheduled for April 5-9, 2025.
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