The 144th IPU event in Bali was well utilized by Indonesia as an opportunity to build cooperation with the parliaments of other countries, including Arab countries.
Like the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, Puan Maharani, who had a meeting with the President of the Arab League Parliament, Adel Bin Abdul Rahman Al Asoomi. On this occasion, it was proposed that a bilateral cooperation group be formed between the Indonesian Parliament and the Arab Parliament.
This is because, Indonesia and Arab countries have collaborated in various fields, but need to be improved. Cooperation between the two countries is considered to be continuously strengthened, not only in the economic sector, but also in the fields of education, health and matters related to global issues such as climate change.
In addition, the meeting between the two also became the topic of discussion regarding discussions in the IPU session such as strengthening democratic development, human rights, vaccination and recovery during a pandemic.
Not to forget, Indonesia invites Arab parliaments to participate in efforts to tackle climate change.
The Speaker of the DPR together with the President of the Arab League Parliament also took the time to discuss gender equality. Puan Maharani really appreciates the progressive steps of the Arab parliament to involve women in Parliamentary meetings, and the attention given to the issue of women’s empowerment.
It should be noted that the representation of women in the DPR RI currently stands at 20.8% or 120 people out of a total of 575 members of parliament.
The 144th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) was held in Nusa Dua Bali, and will conclude with conclusions and declarations, to emphasize the commitment of the world’s parliaments to various issues that have been discussed during the 5 days of the IPU session. —
