The Rt Hon Speaker, Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC, MP  has stated that, 'breaking cycles of conflict in the world's poorer societies, including in Africa, is one of the most elusive and challenging goals for the global community." He said this when he addressed the 135 Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday, 24th October, 2016, while contributing to the General Debate on, "Human Rights abuses as Precursors of Conflict: Parliament as Early Responders."He said that the relationship between human rights and conflict is well documented. This relationship is quite dynamic, complex, and has continued to shape and reshape the course of both peace and war in many parts of the world, including in Africa.
The 135 IPU Assembly has currently one hundred and seventy one (171) Members and eleven (11) Associate Members.Swaziland was admitted as the 171st member at the 135th IPU Assembly.Apart from the General Debate on Human Rights abuses, the 135 IPU Assembly has adopted an emmergency item, "The war and the severe humanitarian situation in Syria particularly Aleppo" which was a merged proposal by Germany and Mexico.This followed extensive debate and voting from a number of proposed topics by different member Parliaments as emmergency items.
The meetings of Women Parliamentarians are being represented by Hon Nkandu Luo, Minister of Higher Education and Member of Parliament for Munali Constituency, who is an Ex Officio member of the IPU Bureau of women Parliamentarians, and Ms Given Katuta, Member of Parliament for Chienge Constituency. Ms Katuta has been adopted as a member of theBureau on Peace and International Security. Mr Howard Kunda, Member of Parliament for Muchinga Constituency is representing the National Assembly of Zambia on the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians and the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade. Mr Mishek Mutelo, Member of Parliament for Mitete Constituency is participating in meetings on the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, while Mr Maxas Ngo'nga will participate in meetings of the Standing Commitee on United Nations Affairs.
Mrs Mwinga, Clerk of the National Assembly, who is President of the Association of Secretary Generals of Parliaments (ASGP) is chairing the meetings of the ASGP which are considering the topics, "Training for participants in, and persons supporting, parliamentary proceedings" and "The role of Parliament in international negotiations."
The 135 IPU Assembly which is being chaired by Mr. Saber Chowdhury from Bangladesh, who is President of the IPU, begun on Sunday 23rd October and will end on Thursday 27th October, 2016.Bangladesh has been approved by the Governing Council to host the 136 IPU Assembly in Dhaka from 1st-5th April, 2017.