The Ukrainian parliamentary delegation, led by First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko, is taking part in the 153rd IPU, held in Arusha, Tanzania. This year, the Assembly has united representatives of the 128 world parliaments and became one of the largest international platforms for direct interparliamentary dialogue.
The Ukrainian delegation proposed an emergency resolution to the Assembly condemning russian aggression and protecting civilians and critical infrastructure during armed conflicts.
The document provides for the condemnation of russian attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, the cessation of aggression, and the withdrawal of russian troops from Ukrainian territory, the return of Ukrainian children abducted by russia, the lifting of the blockade of Ukrainian ports and the ensuring of safe navigation in the Black Sea. The resolution paid particular attention to food security.
“Strikes on port and logistic infrastructure of Ukraine have consequences far beyond the borders of our country, because they directly affect stability of food supplies and global food security,” emphasized the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
For Ukraine, participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union is an important part of parliamentary diplomacy. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian delegation has consistently used such a format to convey the truth about russian aggression to parliamentarians from various countries, encourage international support, uphold the norms of international law, and promote Ukrainian initiatives.
“During the full-scale war, we have consistently used the platform of the IPU for direct engagement with parliamentarians from various countries: we discussed the consequences of russian aggression, the need to support Ukraine, the defence of international law, food security, and other issues important for our state,” noted Oleksandr Korniyenko.
An important part of Ukraine's participation in the Assembly was the work within the "12+" Geopolitical Group, which unites parliamentarians primarily from European states, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
During the session, a vote was also held on representation in the Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law. Lesia Vasylenko, Member of Parliament of Ukraine, joined the committee.
The new President for 2026-2028 of the “12+” Group was elected Polish Senator Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka. During the meeting, she emphasized security issues and support for Ukraine, noting that threats related to russian aggression have also been felt in Poland.
During the meeting, the voting on the representatives to the Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law was also held. Lesya Vasylenko, a Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, was appointed to the committee.
“While russia attacks Ukrainian cities, civilians, and critical infrastructure everyday, it is crucially important for Ukraine to be represented on the committee dealing with international humanitarian law,” emphasized Oleksandr Korniyenko.
During the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Oleksandr Korniyenko, together with the Ukrainian delegation, also held a series of meetings with parliamentary delegations and the IPU leadership.
During the meeting with representatives of Bahrain, they discussed the security situation in regions, economic and diplomatic cooperation, as well as opportunities for interaction in the security sector. Particular attention was given to the prospect of opening the Embassy, cooperation in the sport field, and further participation of Bahrain in the Crimean platform.
“I expressed gratitude for the support extended to Crimean Tatars, a significant part of whom are currently suffering from persecution by russia. I also invited colleagues to join the Ukrainian side event Bread Unites the World that is dedicated to food security,” noted First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
During the meeting with Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana Alban Kingsford Bagbin, the parties discussed food security and the consequences of russian aggression on global food supply. The discussion also focused on the grain hub established in Ghana, opportunities for trilateral projects involving Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Ghana, as well as cooperation in education and technology transfer from Ukraine.
"Ukraine has a bountiful harvest, but russian attacks on our ports, railways, and border crossings severely restrict export capabilities. This is no longer just about the Ukrainian economy — the consequences are directly felt by countries for which Ukrainian food is a vital component of supply," emphasized Oleksandr Korniyenko.
During the meeting with IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine raised the issue of Ukrainian children illegally transferred and deported by russia, as well as civilian hostages, including employees of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
During the meeting with the delegation of The Gambia, the discussions likewise focused on food security issues. The country’s representatives noted that they well understand the impacts of the war, as a significant share of their food and fertilizers previously originated from Ukraine. The parties also discussed the situation of the Crimean Tatars, support for Ukraine within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the consequences of russian aggression for Ukrainian athletes.
"I thanked The Gambia for its participation in the Peace Summit and invited them to join future international formats focused on food security," noted First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Work at the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union continues. The Ukrainian delegation includes Members of Parliament of Ukraine: Oleksandr Merezhko, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation; Lesia Vasylenko, member of the Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management; Artur Herasymov, member of the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy; Oleksii Zhmerenetskyi, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Anti-Corruption Policy in Digital Innovation and Public Data of the Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy; Halyna Mykhailiuk, Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee on Law Enforcement; Ivan Krulko, First Deputy Chairman, and Lesia Zaburanna, Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee on Budget; Zhan Beleniuk, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports; Tamila Tasheva, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Restoration of State Authority and Local Self-Government in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and the City of Sevastopol of the Committee on State Building, Local Governance, Regional Development and Urban Planning; and Oleksandr Sanchenko, member of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy.