Speaker Of The House Of Representatives: The 144th IPU Event In Nusa Dua Bali Attended By 115 Countries

DPR Speaker Puan Maharani in Nusa Dua Bali/PHOTO: Dafi-VOI

BADUNG - House Of Representatives Speaker, Puan Maharani, said the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly & Related Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali March 20-24 will be attended by 115 countries with 1,000 participants.

"So far, 115 countries have declared their physical presence. So there is no hybrid, no zoom. All those present are IPU participants", said Puan during a press conference, in Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, Monday, March 14.

"If the event goes well, it will bring the names of Indonesia and Bali with a positive image", she added.

The main issues to be discussed are climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it does not close that other agenda issues will be discussed by the participants.

"Climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, those are the main issues, of course, the derivative agenda, and I also open a discussion room following the dynamics that will be discussing the trial rules. So, don't then bring up issues that make us not respect each other and respect each other among IPU members", said Puan.

Today, his party held a coordination meeting to prepare for the 144th IPU event. The event is scheduled to be opened by President Jokowi.

"Indonesia as the host and the opening ceremony of the 144th IPU will be opened by the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Until now, although the delegations who register themselves continue to attend today, 1.15 countries or delegates who will attend the IPU 144 implementation have registered", said Puan.

With this international event, it is believed that Puan will revive the image of the island of Bali and course help the tourism economy on the Island of the Gods.

"This is the first major (international) event to be held in Bali in 2022, so this is leading to the implementation of the G20 in the November 2022 meeting of heads of state", she said.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, said currently Bali is ready to hold an international event. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic in Bali is conducive and the vaccination rate is high.

"The COVID-19 pandemic in Bali Province has been well managed and continues to decline. The situation is more conducive, the vaccination rate is quite high and the booster vaccine has reached 33.6 percent", he said.

Koster emphasized that his party also supports the implementation of the 144th IPU event. The Bali Provincial Government has prepared a team for the implementation of the health protocol.

"This meeting is the first momentum of an international meeting held in Bali Province as the beginning of the recovery of tourism and the Balinese economy which already requires the right momentum at this time. Because the pandemic is under control and very conducive", he said.