The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has pushed for the amendment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly rules to accommodate more emergency items.
Speaking at the just concluded 148th meeting of the Union in Geneva, Switzerland, Kalu said that the current IPU General Assembly Rule 11(2) shortchanges Africa and the crises that bedeviled the continent.
He said: “We must reconsider our approach to addressing emergency items. Rule 11.2 allows for flexibility, suggesting the possibility of addressing multiple urgent issues. Neglecting regions like Africa, where significant challenges persist, is unacceptable. Let us interpret the rule’s purpose – addressing pressing issues – to allow for consideration of multiple emergency items. By reforming our processes, we can ensure parliamentary diplomacy truly reflects the world’s diverse needs.
