IPU, Alm.del - 2020-21 - Bilag 13: Status for arbejdet og forårets virtuelle IPU-session i maj

Dansk Interparlamentarisk Gruppes bestyrelse 2020-21
IPU Alm.del Bilag 13
Offentligt

Geneva, 22 February 2021

Office of the

Secretary General

Dear Madam President,

Dear Mr. President,

I am pleased to take this opportunity to update you on developments in the

organization of the work of the IPU for the months ahead.

Since the beginning of the year, the Executive Committee (ExCom) has held

three sessions to deliberate on the function and activities of the Organization.

Below is a briefing on the outcome of its deliberations.

In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, the 142nd IPU

Assembly will be held on 24-28 May 2021 in virtual format. The ExCom has

established a Working Group to examine the implications of such an

unprecedented virtual Assembly and to find the best possible solutions,

including in terms of drafting special/simplified Rules of Procedure to govern its

deliberations. We expect to be able to provide more detailed information in the

coming weeks.

As you know, the current IPU Strategy will end at the end of the year. The

Executive Committee is giving high priority to its revision. It would like for the

process to be Member-driven so that the revised Strategy reflects the vision of

the broad Membership of the Organization. It has therefore endorsed a

methodology and roadmap that will be as inclusive as possible. It hopes that it

can count on all Members and Geopolitical Groups to actively engage in this

process. We will shortly be sending you a separate communication on this

issue.

Universal membership remains a top strategic objective for the IPU, which will

require coordinated efforts by the IPU President, Secretary General, the

Secretariat and in fact by all Members and Geopolitical Groups. I am pleased to

share the background note that has been examined and endorsed by the

ExCom, with recommendations for specific actions to be undertaken, and would

very much welcome your active engagement in meeting this goal. My

colleagues and I will be pleased to answer any questions and/or provide

additional information.

Transparency and accountability is also a very important goal for our

Organization. At one of its previous meetings in 2020, the Executive Committee

endorsed the findings and recommendations of an independent consultant on a

Comprehensive Transparency, Accountability and Openness Strategy for the

IPU. I am pleased to share this Report with all Members of the IPU, with the

request that Members kindly review it and send us their feedback so that the

Secretariat can work on implementing the recommendations of the report. It

would be appreciated if we could receive your feedback by 30 March 2021.

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IPU, Alm.del - 2020-21 - Bilag 13: Status for arbejdet og forårets virtuelle IPU-session i maj

In the course of this year, the IPU’s governing bodies will be examining the Report of an

independent consultant on

IPU’s political project at the United Nations.

Cooperation has been

growing steadily over the years, as reflected in the increasing number of agreements signed

between the IPU and the United Nations. On 27 January, I circulated to all Members two

Memoranda of Understanding that had been endorsed by the Executive Committee

–

one with the

Office of the UN High Commissioner and Human Rights, the other with the UN Secretary General’s

Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. As per the special rules of procedure for the

Governing Council, we had only received one objection within the established deadline of 15 days

and shall therefore now proceed to finalize and sign these agreements with the partners

concerned.

I would also like to share with you the text of an additional MoU with the UN High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR), which the Executive Committee reviewed and endorsed at its meeting on

8 February. This MoU is consistent with the IPU Strategy and programme of work, and I very much

hope that you can support it. The special rules of procedure shall also apply in this case. Should

you have any objections, I would kindly request that these be transmitted to the IPU Secretariat in

writing by 10 March.

My colleagues and I are committed to keeping you informed on a regular basis on developments

within the Organization, especially during these challenging times. I thank you for your kind

understanding and support.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Chungong

Secretary General