New York (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s parliamentary delegation is attending the 124th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Panama City, Panama, from Friday until Wednesday (April 20).

The Indonesian delegation is headed by Dr. Nurhayati Ali Assegaf and consists of Max Sopacua, Anton Sukartono, Dodi Reza Alex Noerdin, Puan Maharani, Evita Nursanty, Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq and Teguh Juwarno, according to information from the Indonesian permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.

As the chair of the Asia-Pacific group, the Indonesian delegation will chair the meeting on Friday. In the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries` Parliaments, Indonesia will convey invitations to participate in the The Seventh Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member Countries (OUIC) Conference, which will be organized in Indonesia, in January 2012.

In the IPU Assembly, Indonesia put forward an emergency item proposal entitled "The Role of the IPU in Assuring the Democratic Transitional Process towards the Empowerment of Women in the Middle East and North Africa Region."

Prior to the 124th Assembly of IPU, an Executive Committee meeting was held on April 12-14 to discuss strategic issues including the current world political situation related to the membership of IPU.

Apart from her position of the Indonesian delegation chairperson, Nurhayati Assegaf is also present in her capacity as the President of the Woman Coordination Committee and member of the Executive Committee.

She has been active in the discussion on the postponement of the memberships of the parliaments of Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya in IPU; the strengthening of the women`s role in IPU; and the priority programs in the IPU Strategic Planning 2012-2017, especially related to the IPU budget management.

The IPU`s 124th Assembly was officially opened by Panama Assembly National Chairman Munoz Molina.

The Assembly`s main theme is "Parliamentary Accountability: Living Up to People`s Expectations". (*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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