Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led a Parliamentary Delegation to the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly.
- The 149th Assembly of the IPU is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 13-17 October 2024.
- It 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.
- The General Debate will focus on the overall theme Harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future and provide a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views and galvanize parliamentary action.
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has emphasized that India has always been a strong proponent of multilateralism.
- He said dialogue and cooperation amongst Parliaments in the field of science, technology and innovation is vital for the common good.
- Stressing the need for an appropriate regulatory system in the field of technology and safeguarding the data privacy of citizens, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that such pressing issues needed to be discussed in the IPU forum as well as in national Parliaments.
