In preparation for the 142nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, events of various levels and formats were planned. Since 27 April 2021, the parliamentary delegation of the Republic of Belarus has participated in 12 online events of the Assembly within its competence. These included meetings of the Standing Committees on Democracy and Human Rights, on UN affairs, in the forums of Women Parliamentarians, Young Parliamentarians and others.

At these dialogues, parliamentarians shared their perspectives on solutions and best practices from their countries in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. They noted that beyond the public health crisis the pandemic caused an economic and social crisis, and suggested possible options to support the most vulnerable populations.

Between 24 and 27 May 2021, the deputies participated in the meetings of the Governing Council and the 142nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The Assembly also focused on the main theme “Overcoming the pandemic today and building a better future: the role of parliaments”.

On the final day of the IPU Assembly reports were heard from the Standing Committees, two resolutions were adopted on strengthening peace against threats and conflicts resulting from climate change, and on mainstreaming digitalization and the circular economy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the adopted final document it was declared that the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continues to be a relevant roadmap for parliamentarians. Primarily as a basis for developing strategies for post-pandemic recovery and overcoming the global health crisis, as well as for addressing imbalances that create a barrier to a sustainable and just world.

More than 1000 parliamentary colleagues from 135 countries took part in the Assembly.

For the first time, Deputies of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus were elected to the governing bodies of the IPU and forums:

Andrei Savinykh, Сhairperson of the Standing Commission on International Affairs, — in the Bureau of the Standing Committee on UN Affairs;

Maria Vasilevich, Member of the Standing Commission on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media, — to the Council of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians and the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians.