KATHMANDU – The parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota returned home today after participating in the 143rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The Nepali delegation had left for Spain on November 24. The Assembly was held in Madrid, the capital of Spain, from November 26 to 30.
In course of the Assembly, Speaker Sapkota addressed to the IPU Assembly as well as the Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). In his statement to the Assembly, Speaker Sapkota said the NAM is still relevant today due to the various developments as threat to global peace, foreign interference in domestic affairs, inequalities and improper behaviour.
He said parliament is the living embodiment of democracy and it is where people can change their rulers in a peaceful manner. “It is where people’s representatives earn trust and respect by ensuring justice and fairness to the weaker section, in absence of which people question whether this democratic system even works at all,” Speaker Sapkota said while addressing the 143rd Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Madrid, Spain on Sunday.
In his remarks on the theme “Contemporary challenges to democracy: Overcoming division and building community”, Speaker Sapkota mentioned democracy works; and it has to, adding, “We have to raise people’s engagement in the democratic processes.”
Talking to media persons at Tribhuvan International Airport after his arrival, Speaker Sapkota said he put his views in detail on the merits of Nepal’s constitution and its salient features like inclusiveness, proportional representation and the achievements of democracy before the international community.
He said Nepal’s representation at the Assembly has been done in the right way and in an effective manner. The Speaker said he found that the international community has taken Nepal as a country moving ahead consistently along the democratic path after the promulgation of the constitution.
On a different note, he said he would concentrate his attention to ending the stalemate seen in the parliament. The Speaker said that he will convene an all-party meeting as well as meeting with the stakeholders immediately for regularizing the parliamentary business.
The Speaker’s delegation comprised of MPs Dev Prasad Gurung, Laxmi Kumari Chaudhary, National Assembly members Pramila Kumari and Agam Prasad Bantawa Rai, the Secretary-General of the Federal Parliament, Dr Bharat raj Gautam, Secretary Gopalnath Yogi, among other officials.
