Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly begins in Dhaka

The 136th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which is expected to focus on parliamentarians’ roles in fighting terrorism, has begun in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the assembly at the parliament’s South Plaza on Saturday.



The prime minister in her speech called for global unity to fight terrorism and militancy.

"The humanity is facing new vices. Terrorism and militancy are costing human lives. Peace is seriously impeded."

"Militancy is not a problem of a particular country now, but it’s a global phenomenon. We have to fight this menace together," she said.

The assembly, being held in Bangladesh for the first time, is attended by 53 speakers, 40 deputy speakers and around 1,500 guests, including MPs, from around the globe.

The national anthem of Bangladesh was sung to flag off the first day of the assembly. A video on Bangladesh's independence struggle was screened at the beginning of the assembly.

The theme of this year’s IPU assembly is “Redressing Inequalities: Delivering on Dignity and Well-Being for All”.

The five-day event aims at developing antiterrorism strategies, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong said on Friday.

Chungong, Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, IPU President Saber Hossain Chowdhury, and Parliament Secretary Abdur Rob Howlader also delivered speeches in the opening session.

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy HM Ershad, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad, ministers and ambassadors of foreign countries were also present.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Miroslav Jenča, read out a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.