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Nearly every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 190 national parliaments in the world, 78 are bicameral (156 chambers) and 112 are unicameral, making a total of 268 chambers of parliament with some 44,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 180 national parliaments
In preparation for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), the IPU is organizing a global virtual meeting for parliaments to discuss key climate issues.
Throughout the year, the IPU and its Members organize many events for parliamentarians to exchange good practices, acquire the latest information and identify avenues for action.
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Webinar for the Arab Region Parliaments: The impact of COVID-19 on SDG implementation and the role of parliaments
Webinar for the Arab Region Parliaments: The impact of COVID-19 on SDG implementation and the role of parliaments
Summary
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10:00-12:30 EET (Beirut time)
In the period before the pandemic, the action to deliver on the SDGs was not advancing at the speed required, despite progress on some fronts. Now that most financial resources will be likely absorbed by emergency response, the realization of the SDGs by 2030 may be in danger if national economic recovery plans are not aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
Parliamentarians have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the policies and measures adopted to contain the spread of the pandemic and respond to its socio-economic impact are responsive to the needs and priorities of their constituents and protect the most vulnerable amongst them. They are also responsible for overseeing the work of the executive and scrutinizing the use of public finances.
In order to assist parliaments with these difficult efforts, the IPU is partnering with the United Nations Economic Commissions in the organization of a series of regional webinars for Parliaments on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in time of a pandemic.
Jointly organized with the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Arab Regional Parliamentary Forum on the 2030 Agenda on the impact of COVID-19 on SDG implementation and the role of parliaments, will offer a unique space to provide parliaments with up-to-date information on the status of SDGs implementation, and recommendations to accelerate transformative change in the region. Parliamentarians will have the opportunity to exchange and discuss common challenges as well as strategies that they could implement to contribute to the realization of the SDGs by 2030 despite the current hurdles.
The Parliamentary Forum targets parliamentarians from Arab countries, including representatives from upper and lower houses and parliamentary staff, whose work is directly related to the forum topics.
Arabic and English are the working languages of the event. Simultaneous interpretation for both languages as well as French will be provided.