07 Apr 2019

Member of Parliament for Mahalapye East, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso is leading a parliamentary delegation to the 140^th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and related meetings in Doha, Qatar, until April 10.

A press release from the National Assembly says the delegation comprises of MPs, Advocate Duma Boko of Gaborone Bonnington North, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe of Gaborone Bonnington South and Mr Prince Maele of Lerala-Maunatlala.

The delegation, which is accompanied by Clerk of the National Assembly, Ms Barbara Dithapo, and is expected back on April 11.

The IPU is a world-wide organisation that brings together representatives of parliaments to promote contacts, coordination and exchange of experiences.

It is composed of the standing committees on peace and international security, sustainable development, finance and trade, democracy and human rights as well as the United Nations affairs.

The meeting is expected to discuss and adopt draft resolutions on the non-admissibility of using mercenaries as a means of undermining peace and violating human rights under the standing committee on peace and international security, and the role of fair and free trade and investment in achieving the sustainable development goals, especially regarding economic equality, sustainable infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation under the standing committee on sustainable development, finance and trade.

The meeting is also expected to hold a debate on achieving universal health coverage by 2030, the role of parliaments in ensuring the right to health under the standing committee on democracy and human rights and a panel discussion on the main theme of the 2019 High-level Political Forum (HLPF): Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality under the standing committee on United Nations affairs.

During the assembly, Ms Tshireletso will attend meetings of the governing council, the plenary assembly and will also participate in the 29^th session of the forum of women parliamentarians, which will hold a panel discussion on equality at work.

Participants will also discuss the draft resolutions and issue recommendations on gender-related amendments to be submitted by the forum of women parliamentarians to the standing committee on peace and international security and the standing committee on sustainable development, finance and trade. ENDS