The 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly to Bring Together Parliamentarians from Around the World

- The 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly is set to take place from 14 to 18 October in St Petersburg. The Assembly is the largest international parliamentary event to be organised in Russia, and holds special importance and significance for our country.      (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/583010/Roscongress_Logo.jpg ) The IPU is the oldest existing international parliamentary organisation. It was established in 1889 and brings together parliamentarians from 173 countries, as well as 11 inter-parliamentary organisations. Throughout its history, the IPU has facilitated the development of parliamentarism, the protection of human rights, the establishment of a multinational world, and the preservation of international security. It is one of the world's most authoritative parliamentary organisations. This year's Assembly promises to be the largest in the history of the IPU. Approximately 100 heads of foreign parliaments, as well as delegations from more than 150 countries, representing five continents, have already confirmed their participation. The total number of registered participants already exceeds 2,300. The 137th IPU Assembly will be covered by the world's major media organisations. Russia has guaranteed smooth entry into the country for all foreign participants, irrespective of their presence on Russian restricted lists drawn up in response to Western sanctions. Everything will be provided to ensure an atmosphere in which parliamentarians can engage in productive dialogue at the Assembly venue. One of the main events on the programme will be the tabling of the resolution 'On the 20th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Democracy: the Commonality of our Diversity'. It will also include thematic conferences and sessions of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Sessions of the following IPU standing committees will take place: the Assembly Steering Committee, the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, the Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs, the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance, and Trade, and the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security. The Assembly will also feature sessions of the IPU's six geopolitical groups: the African Group, the Arab Group, the Asia-Pacific Group, the Eurasia Group, the Group of Latin-America and the Caribbean, and the Twelve Plus Group (which includes the countries of Western and Central Europe, Canada, and some other states). The Eurasia geopolitical group will be made up of a delegation from the Russian Federal Assembly, together with parliamentarians from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova. This group may also be joined by parliamentarians from Turkmenistan in the event of the country's accession to the Union. Turkmen parliamentarians announced such an intent on the eve of the 137th IPU Assembly. The programme for the Assembly in St Petersburg will notably include the election of a new IPU President. The events of the 137th IPU Assembly will take place at three venues: the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre, Tavricheskiy Palace, and the Parliamentary Centre. The Roscongress Foundation is a major organizer of convention and exhibition events.   The Roscongress Foundation was founded in 2007 to develop Russia's economic potential and strengthen the country's image by organizing congresses and exhibitions with an economic and social focus. The Foundation develops the substantive content for these events, and provides companies with advice, information, and expert guidance, as well as offering comprehensive evaluation, analysis, and coverage of the Russian and global economic agenda.   Today, its annual programme includes events held from Montevideo to Vladivostok, offering an opportunity to bring together global business leaders, experts, the media, and government officials in one place, creating favourable conditions for dialogue and the promotion of new ideas and projects, and assisting in the creation of social enterprise and charity projects.  http://www.roscongress.org