New Delhi, 10 October (H.S.): An Indian parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh participated in the proceedings on Friday, the final day of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held in Arusha, Tanzania. During the proceedings, Milton Dick, Speaker of Australia's House of Representatives, was declared elected as the next President of the IPU.

According to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Harivansh, along with Lok Sabha members Anurag Singh Thakur and Kamaljeet Sehrawat, exercised India's three allotted votes at a meeting of the IPU Governing Council. Following a secret ballot, the outgoing President announced Dick's election.

Members of the Indian delegation subsequently met Dick to congratulate him on his election and extend their best wishes for a successful tenure. Rajya Sabha member Dr Sasmit Patra also presented him with a congratulatory letter sent on behalf of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

In addition, the Assembly adopted a resolution on parliamentary strategies for inclusive social development aimed at promoting the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Members also adopted a resolution calling for urgent parliamentary action to address climate-related disasters and strengthen resilience against their impact in vulnerable regions, including the Himalayan region.

The session concluded with Musa Azzan Zungu, Speaker of Tanzania's National Assembly and President of the Assembly, formally announcing its closure.

The 153rd IPU Assembly was held in Arusha from October 5 to 9. The Indian parliamentary delegation participated in the Assembly's proceedings and various related meetings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar