European Parliamentarians with Africa

The 118th Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly took place from the 13-18 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa. The Assembly was officially opened by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki. 

The inaugural address was delivered by Ms. Baleka Mbete, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of South Africa and she was also elected President of the Assembly. 

AWEPA was invited to attend the Assembly as official observers.  The AWEPA delegation consisted of Dr. Jan Nico Scholten, President of AWEPA, also acted as the leader of the delegation, Prof Ben Turok, Chairperson of the NEPAD Contact Group of African Parliamentarians, South Africa, MP and Ms. Jessica Longwe, Director Partner Relations, AWEPA.    

The theme of the Assembly was "Pushing Back the Frontiers of Poverty". AWEPA made a presentation at the plenary session of the Second Standing Committee- Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade. It focused on "Parliamentary Oversight of State policies on Foreign aid.  Dr. Jan Nico Scholten was honoured to address the Assembly on behalf of AWEPA and his speech highlighted the importance of parliamentary involvement to ensure mutual accountability in the aid process.

Below please find the speech of Dr. Jan Nico Scholten.

•  JNS IPU Conference Speech