Over 100 Speakers of Parliament from around 120 countries gathered at the United Nations Office at Geneva for the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, held from 29 to 31 July 2025. The high-level summit, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations, focused on building peace, justice, and prosperity through stronger multilateral cooperation.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General Martin Chungong have jointly called on national parliaments to ratify the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This landmark agreement is the first WTO accord to focus on environmental sustainability.
Ethiopia is set to host the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) from September 8–10, 2025, in Addis Ababa. Under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” the summit will position Africa as a central voice in global climate negotiations ahead of COP30.
On the eve of his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama made a landmark announcement. Speaking from Dharamshala, India, he confirmed that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after him. He declared that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which he established in 2011, will have the authority to select his successor.
The term “BRIC” was coined in 2001 by a Goldman Sachs economist to highlight the rising economic power of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. These four countries later took political initiative to form a forum for dialogue and global cooperation.
Brazil has officially assumed the BRICS Brazil 2025 presidency, marking its fourth mandate after leading the group in 2010, 2014, and 2019. The presidency’s theme is “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
The International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated every year on 30 June, the date in 1889 on which the IPU was founded. The Day was established in 2018 through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution.
The Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) backs Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara, calling it the only credible solution. Regional support grows as El Salvador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic deepen diplomatic ties with Rabat.
In a historic move, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Ghana has officially taken office as the Commonwealth Secretary-General. She assumed her position on April 1, 2025, following her unanimous appointment by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their 2024 biennial meeting in Apia, Samoa.
At 44 years old, Baerbock is one of the youngest presidents ever elected to lead the Assembly. She is also the first woman from the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) to take the gavel and only the fifth woman overall.