DHAKA: The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has included two countries in its body as member of the IPU, raising the total number of members to 173. The two new member countries are-- Tuvalu and Central Africa Republic.

The IPU on Sunday (April 02) approved the membership of the two countries at the second day of its five-day long assembly which has been taking place in Dhaka.

Chief of Bangladesh delegation team and deputy speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah confirmed the matter to the Bangalnews.

Alongside the permanent members, the IPU has 11 associate members.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly on Saturday (April 01).

Bangladesh Parliament is hosting the assembly of IPU, the century-old organisation of world's legislators, for the first time after joining the forum in 1972.

A total of 1,348 delegates including 650 parliament members, 53 speakers, deputy speakers and 209 women parliamentarians of 131 countries have been attending the mega event.

BDST: 2142 HRS, APR 02, 2017
EHJ