House Vice Speaker M. Azis Syamsuddin delivers remarks via video call at a book launch event to mark the IPU’s 130th Anniversary on Thursday (8/10/2020). Photo: Runi/Man

House Vice Speaker for Politics and Security, M. Azis Syamsuddin, expressed his appreciation for the launch of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) book to mark IPU’s 130th anniversary, saying the book that contains IPU’s long journey for 130 years ensures accountability to the public for the existence of IPU and is in line with the House’s platform, particularly the platform of Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation (BKSAP), in supporting parliamentary openness.

“I really appreciate BKSAP for actively participating in the IPU forums to address global issues,” said Syamsuddin in his remarks during the virtual book launch on Thursday (8/10/2020). “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, on the 130th anniversary of IPU, we consistently give our utmost works to our country and promote democracy.”

House Speaker Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani, BKSAP Chairperson Fadli Zon, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and IPU President Gabriella Cuevas Baron also joined the event virtually. A panel discussion was held in the event with the topic: the need for collaboration through cooperation between international and regional organizations to address multiple global issues. The panel was moderated by BKSAP Vice Chairperson Charles Honoris, with Executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Phillips J. Vermonte, as the panelist.

IPU is an international organization that brings together parliaments from countries worldwide with a total member of 46,000 parliamentarians from 173 countries. Through BKSAP, the Indonesian Parliament has so far made a significant contribution to the discussion of various global issues at the IPU forum.

Entering the age of 130 years, as the first multilateral political organization in the world, IPU consistently emphasizes the importance of cooperation and dialogue among countries. IPU continuously promotes democracy, even amid the challenges of global uncertainty that we are facing today. The COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption and geopolitical dynamics in various parts of the world must not stop democracy.

The Vice-Speaker also reaffirmed that in line with the IPU’s spirit of consistency, the Indonesian House continues its diplomacy when the world is gripped by the pandemic. To respond to the limitations as a result of the COVID-19, the House holds parliamentary meetings virtually. Despite virtual meetings being on the rise, parliamentarians can still capture the essence of the meeting.

“I notice that this pandemic cannot stop BKSAP from exercising its parliamentary diplomacy function. In the last few months, the diplomacy of parliamentary friendship groups with their counterparts (parliaments abroad) and ambassadors go virtual,” the Golkar Party politician said.

In regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, he advocated the spirit of multilateralism amid global uncertainty. Parliaments should unite and actively initiate the global community to respond to the current global challenges. “I sincerely hope that multilateral diplomacy exercised by various parties to contain the pandemic will soon bear positive result,” Syamsyuddin concluded. (ann/sf)