A mega conference of world parliamentarians kicks off today in Dhaka promising to focus on ways and means to end political and economic inequality for upholding democracy and human rights.

Some 687 members of 131 national parliaments of as many countries are expected to join the five-day conference organised jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad. Some 1,348 delegates will participate in the conference.

Participants, including 45 Speakers, 37 Deputy Speakers and more than 200 women MPs, are expected to make specific proposals on a range of issues, from ending rising inequality to promoting women's access to financing, during the 136th assembly of the IPU.

“Taking decisive actions to end economic, political and social inequalities will be the focus of deliberations...,” according to a news release issued by the IPU headquarters in Geneva on Monday.

Founded in 1889, the IPU, a global organisation of parliaments, works to establish democracy, peace and cooperation among people.

According to the IPU, the consequences of inequality are unsustainable, causing instability and undermining human rights, said the release.

“During the IPU's Assembly, parliamentarians will concentrate on the impact of inequality on the poor, women and vulnerable groups.”

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi will be the keynote speaker during the opening session of the debates tomorrow.

IPU members would adopt a resolution to guarantee the financial inclusion of women as drivers of development, said the release.

Joining the assembly, women MPs from different countries in their session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians would focus on “ending the gender gap in access to financial services”, it said.

Participants are also expected to make recommendations for parliamentary action to further promote the values of democracy and to strengthen the exercise of democratic government, according to an agenda of the conference.

The IPU Standing Committee on Peace and International Security will further examine, and possibly adopt a resolution of the issue of non-interference in the internal affairs of the states in the context of world today, added the release.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the assembly this evening at South Plaza of parliament building. She will release a commemorative postage stamp and launch IPU web television.

The next sessions of the assembly will be held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

Since its inception, the IPU has been staunchly committed to promoting stable and diverse democratic traditions by fostering parliamentary dialogue. It believes good governance and democracy are fundamental for progress in all areas of life, and parliaments have a critical role to play in promoting a better world.

According to IPU President Saber Hossain Chowdhury, every conference of the IPU offers MPs to learn from others how parliaments should function to ensure good governance, rule of law and human rights.

“Parliaments play a significant role in every country. They hold their governments accountable for their activities. So, if we maintain good relations with MPs of other countries, it will supplement our government's diplomatic efforts in international arena,” Saver, who was elected president of IPU in 2014, told The Daily Star recently.

Currently, the IPU has 171 members and 11 associate members. Bangladesh got the membership in 1972, but its membership was stripped off thrice for martial law and emergency regimes.

Addressing a press conference at BICC yesterday, Saber told journalists that the IPU assembly would create a unique opportunity for Bangladesh to showcase its economic progress and potentials before the international communities.

In the briefing, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong said the assembly would discuss on the role of lawmakers in combating militancy and tackling climate change.

He said inequality and the culture of impunity were the prime reasons behind the rise of militancy.

IPU President Saber said the executive committee of the IPU would decide on devising strategies on how MPs could play their roles in tackling terrorism.

 He said they decided to hold the assembly as a green assembly this year.

“The delegates are arriving in Bangladesh by aircraft, which emits carbon dioxide.  The total amount of carbons emitted in the process of carrying delegates will be calculated and neutralised,” he said.

As the Higher Secondary Certificate examination starts tomorrow, the travel time of VVIPs and VIPs for the assembly would be set in a way so that the movement of HSC candidates is not hindered tomorrow and on April 4, he said, adding that there would be no movement of VVIPS and VIPs between 8:00am and 10:00am on those two days.

According to the IPU convention, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as Speaker of the host country, will act as the assembly president.

She said successful holding of the assembly would be a milestone for Bangladesh in its forward march towards flourishing democracy, and it would bring a rare honour for the country.

A four-tier security measures have been taken in and around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

RESTRICTION ON VEHICULAR MOVEMENT

According to a notice of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, vehicular movement will be suspended on Manik Mia Avenue -- from Aarong crossing to Khejur Bagan crossing -- from 5:30pm to 10:00pm today.

Vehicular movement will remain suspended on the road in front of BICC -- from BICC crossing via Gono Bhaban School to Pratirakkha intersection -- each day from 7:00am to 10:00pm during the five-day assembly.

City dwellers are advised to use Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University to Agargaon road through Rab-2 office as an alternative route. However, dwellers going to different government and non-government offices in the area will be allowed to go through the BICC road.

Vehicles plying Agargaon Link Road will not be allowed to pass           the BICC crossing. Instead, they will have to use the Agargaon Light        crossing.