The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on Monday, October 14, approved the Jamaican Parliament’s application to rejoin the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The approval was granted during the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, which commenced on October 13 and will conclude on October 17, 2024.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union was founded in 1889 and is the world’s oldest and largest association of national parliaments. With Jamaica’s accession to the IPU, the association now boasts membership in 181 national parliaments. The IPU is a leading voice on global issues such as climate change, gender equality, and youth empowerment.

One of the major benefits of membership in the IPU is the opportunity it provides for parliamentarians to interact and cooperate on global issues. IPU assemblies attract more than 1,500 participants from every continent and region.

The historic return to the IPU symbolizes a renewed commitment to promoting communication and collaboration with parliaments across the globe. The decision to rejoin the IPU demonstrates a commitment to using parliamentary diplomacy to advance democracy, peace and development.

The Parliament was represented by the President of the Senate, Senator Thomas Tavares-Finson, who, in addressing the Assembly said: “We are convinced that renewing our affiliation with the IPU will not only result in greater access to IPU resources, but also allow our Parliament to make an even greater contribution to the landscape of inter-parliamentary cooperation.”