Permanent Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the international organization of parliaments of sovereign states, which was established in 1889. As the focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue, the Inter Parliamentary Union acts for peace and cooperation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative institutions. To that end, this international organisation fosters contacts, coordination and the exchange of experience among Parliaments and parliamentarians of all countries; considers questions of international interest and express its views on such issues with the aim of bringing about action by Parliaments and their members, contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights, which are universal in scope and respect for which is an essential factor of parliamentary democracy and development, contributes to better knowledge of the working of representative institutions and to the strengthening and development of their means of action.

The IPU supports the efforts of and works in close cooperation with theUnited Nations, whose objectives it shares. The Union also cooperates with regional inter-parliamentary organizations, as well as with international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations which are motivated by the same ideals. The IPU isfinancedprimarily by its members out of public funds. The Headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is in Geneva.

There are currently162 Membersand10 Associate Membersof the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Since 2006, the Parliament of Montenegro has been a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The structure of the Inter-Parliamentary Union consists of the following organs: the Assembly, the Governing Council, the Executive Committee and the Secretariat.

The IPU Assembly is the principal statutory body that expresses the views of the Inter- Parliamentary Union on political issues. Twice a year it brings together parliamentarians to study international problems and make recommendations for action. The Assembly is assisted in its work by three Standing Committees: Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade and Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights.

The Governing Council supports and oversees the administration of the IPU and gives advice to the Governing Council. It establishes the mandate and composition of Committees, Working Groups and ad hoc bodies of the Union. The following bodies are currently in place: Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade, Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, Committee on Middle East Questions, Group of Facilitators for Cyprus, Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law, Advisory Group of the IPU Committee on United Nations Affairs, Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Co-ordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians, Gender Partnership Group.

Geopolitical groups play an important role in the functioning of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Six geopolitical groups are currently active in the IPU: African Group, Arab Group, Asia-Pacific Group, Eurasia Group, Group of Latin America and the Caribbean and Twelve Plus Group.

The Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP) acts as a consultative body of the IPU, which meets in session concurrently with the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and at the same place.

Activities of the Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to IPU during the 24th Convocation

Delegation of the 24th Convocation of the Parliament of Montenegro to IPU consisted of the Head of Delegation Mr. Ranko Krivokapić, members Mr. Željko Šturanović and Ms. Dušanka Džakula-Tušup. The Delegation Secretary is Ms. Jelena Davidović, Advisor for International Affairs to the President of the Parliament of Montenegro.

The Members of the Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to Inter-Parliamentary Union, during the 24th Convocation of the Parliament of Montenegro participated in the following meetings:

27 March – 1 April 2010, Bangkok – 122nd IPU Assembly with the overall theme “Parliament at the heart of political reconciliation and good governance“. The Parliament of Montenegro was admitted as a full-fledged member of Geopolitical group “12 Plus”, which brings together the parliaments of 46 countries and aims at timely exchange of views and affirmation of interest and ideas of parliaments of European countries within the IPU, as well as joint approach in the achievement of common goals.

4 – 6 October 2010, Geneva - 123rd IPU Assembly brought together representatives of legislative power from 123 countries of the world. Key topics of the Assembly as well as of standing committees were issues regarding electoral legislation aimed at preventing electoral violence, transparency and accountability in the funding of political parties and election campaigns, and sustainable development through the management of natural resources, agricultural production and demographic change.

During the 24th Convocation of the Parliament of Montenegro, the President of the Parliament participated in 3rd World Conference of Speakers of Parliament of Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Geneva, from 19th to 21st July 2010. The main topic of the Conference was “Parliaments in a world of crisis: securing global democratic accountability for the common good”.

Along with the sessions of the IPU Assembly, meetings of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP), a consultative body of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, are held. Secretary General of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mr. Damir Davidović, has been participating at the meetings since March 2010.

During the 24th Convocation, the Secretary General of the Parliament of Montenegro participated in the following meetings of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP):

28 March – 1 April 2010, Bangkok – The meeting was held along with the 122nd IPU Assembly. The Secretary General participated in the debate concerning relation between the parliament and executive power and the spirit of democratic independence of parliaments in modern democratic societies;

4 – 7 October 2010, Geneva - The meeting was held along with the 123rd IPU Assembly;

17 – 20 October 2011, Bern – The meeting was held along with the 125th IPU Assembly, where special attention was paid to the topics: “Planning Chamber business” and “The concept of an activist parliament”.