Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), a world parliamentary body that brings together over 160 countries, last week, admitted South Sudan and Myanmar as its 161 and 162 members.IPU president, Abdelwahad Radi, told reporters at the closure of a six day IPU conference that brought over 2,000 delegates in the Ugandan capital Kampala that Haiti was also re- admitted to the organisation, bringing the total membership to 162.“We have seen membership to the IPU grow by three during this assembly. Today, Myanmar and South Sudan joined Haiti as new members of IPU, bringing the total membership to 162,” said Radi at a media briefing.“Their membership heralds a new chapter in their democratic development and I welcome them to the IPU fold. We will be supporting them as they work to build strong foundations in parliamentary democracy in their respective countries,” he said.South Sudan, the newest independent state in the world, earlier this week applied to join the renowned world body.James Wani, the Speaker of South Sudan National Legislative Assembly, expressed gratitude for his country’s Parliament admission into the August global body.“I am extremely grateful for our admission. We are ready to abide with the conditions governing the membership,” said Wani.The African nation, which gained independence on July 9, 2011, became the UN’s 193rd member state on July 14, 2011. The next IPU assembly will be held in October in Canada.The IPU which was established in 1889 is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and cooperation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.
