Story by ZBC Reporter
PROCEEDINGS at the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and related meetings began on Friday in Uzbekistan, with the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda being unanimously elected by the Africa Geopolitical Group to chair a newly formed Committee.
The election is a clear show of confidence in his leadership, vast experience on Parliamentary legal issues and drafting capabilities, Speaker Mudenda was elected by the Africa Geopolitical Group to chair the newly constituted Committee tasked with the arduous assignment of drafting a proposal for an emergency Item for possible inclusion on the agenda of the 150th IPU Assembly and related meetings.
The proposed resolution will address rising global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, alongside the global impacts of climate change. The resolution combines proposals from the Arab Group and the Seychelles delegation. The Arab Group’s resolution focuses on global conflicts, while the Seychelles delegation addresses the debilitating effects of climate change on sustainable development.
The drafting committee, which includes representatives from Algeria, Djibouti, Morocco, Seychelles, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe, began its work on Saturday.
In another development, Honourable Maureen Kademaunga, who is a part of the Zimbabwean delegation in Uzbekistan was nominated to serve on the Bureau of the IPU Committee on Science and Technology. Her tenure will begin in October 2025 during the 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Africa Geopolitical Group Meeting was preceded by the SADC PF Group Meeting at the IPU, chaired by the newly elected Speaker of the Parliament of Botswana Retired Honourable Dr Dithapelo Lefoko Keorapetse, Speaker of the Parliament of Botswana.
In his opening remarks, Speaker Keorapetse highlighted the importance of strengthening regional and international cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy, especially in light of the unprecedented global challenges affecting peace, democracy, and sustainable development.
He emphasised the critical role of parliamentarians in advancing solutions to these challenges and called for the SADC Parliamentary Forum to take an active role on the global political stage.
The 150th IPU Assembly continues to serve as a significant platform for Zimbabwe’s active participation in global parliamentary discussions, with Speaker Mudenda’s appointment and the nomination of Honourablr Kademaunga underscoring Zimbabwe’s growing influence within the IPU.
