IPU to Discuss Russia-Ukraine Conflict Despite Delegations' Absence

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will still discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict despite the absence of their delegations at the 144th IPU Assembly in Nusa Dua, Bali, a House of Representatives (DPR) official has said.

"We are still waiting. We hope that they attend, but thus far, Ukraine and Russia do not attend the 144th IPU Forum," DPR's Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Board (BKSAP) Deputy Chief Putu Supadma Rudana said in Bali on Saturday.

The 144th IPU Assembly will still discuss peaceful resolution to the Russia and Ukraine conflict because this is a humanitarian problem, he said.

"This became the struggle of the world's parliaments to uphold peace, to assist in the issues of peace, and issues on human rights," he elaborated.

This commitment was delivered by IPU President Duarte Pacheco and DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, who is leading the IPU assembly this year.

At Bali International Convention Center Nusa Dua on Saturday, Pacheco said that IPU is trying to put pressure on the two conflicting parties so they declare a ceasefire.

This is because armed conflict only claims the lives of civilians, especially children and women.

After ceasefire, dialogue and diplomacy are also important, he added.

In addition to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 144th IPU Assembly will also discuss the impact of climate change, gender equality, and the role of youth in politics.

According to the IPU president, without the involvement of youths, democracy's implementation cannot be perfect because they constitute half the world's population.

Moreover, he noted that climate change is a real problem that all citizens in the world are encountering.

IPU, a cross-border cooperation between parliaments, is the second-largest democracy forum in the world after the United Nations (UN).

This is the first time Indonesia is hosting the IPU Assembly.

Read: Russia's Putin Criticizes U.S. Military-Biological Research in Ukraine

ANTARA