The Department engages with global parliamentary bodies to promote Nigeria’s interests and best practices. It handles matters related to International Parliamentary Organisations such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA International), Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States – European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly (OACPS – EU JPA), Association of Senate, Shoora and Equivalent Council in Africa and Arab World (ASSECCA) Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), Women in Parliament (WIP) and Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF).
In fulfilment of its mandate, the Department liaises with international parliamentary organisations under its purview with respect to National Assembly membership subscriptions, participation in the annual statutory conferences, meetings, seminars and workshops. The Department is organized into the following Desks:
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is an international organization that brings together representatives of the Parliaments of sovereign States. As the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue since 1889, the IPU works for peace and cooperation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative institutions. The IPU shares the objectives of the United Nations, supports its efforts, and works in close co-operation with it. It also co-operates with the regional inter-parliamentary organizations, as well as international inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, which are motivated by the same ideals. In its effort to expand participation and inclusiveness, the IPU has created specialized organs for women and young members of parliament, known as Women in Parliament and Young Parliamentarians Forum. The Department further created desks to manage the organs of the IPU. The branches are grouped geographically into nine Commonwealth Regions for ease of representation on the Executive Committee and for the organization of Regional Conferences, Seminars and Workshops on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure. The Regions are Africa, Asia, Australia, British Islands and Mediterranean, Canada, Caribbean, America and Atlantic, India, Pacific and South East Asia. For Effective coordination, the PA is divided into two Desks: CPA International and CPA Africa Region.
The Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) is the parliamentary arm of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It brings together national parliaments from OIC member states to promote cooperation, dialogue, and the advancement of Islamic values, human rights, peace, and development. Nigeria, being an active member of the OIC, participates in PUIC activities through its National Assembly. The PUIC Desk, under the Directorate of Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Protocol, coordinates Nigeria's legislative engagement with the PUIC.
The Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA) is a platform that brings together upper chambers of legislatures from Africa and the Arab world to promote cooperation, dialogue, and best legislative practices. Nigeria, through the Senate of the National Assembly, is a prominent member of ASSECAA. The ASSECAA Desk is charged with coordinating Nigeria's institutional relationship with the Association.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an Association of Commonwealth Parliamentarians who irrespective of gender, race, religion or culture are united by a community of interest, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, and by the pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy. The CPA currently has a total membership of over 17,000 branches spread across over 175 National, State, Provincial and Territorial Parliaments. The branches are grouped geographically into nine Commonwealth Regions for ease of representation on the Executive Committee and for the organization of Regional Conferences, Seminars and Workshops on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure. The Regions are Africa, Asia, Australia, British Islands and Mediterranean, Canada, Caribbean, America and Atlantic, India, Pacific and South East Asia. For Effective coordination, the PA is divided into two Desks: CPA International and CPA Africa Region.
The OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly is an Inter-Parliamentary body comprising elected Members of Parliament of ACP and EU countries. It evolved from an age long relationship between Europe and African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States dating back to the Treaty of Rome which established the European Economic Community (ECC), signed by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands and West Germany on 25th March, 1957. By this treaty, the ECC Member-States were committed to contributing to the prosperity of ACP States through trade and development aid, a highly innovative model of international cooperation and a pilot scheme for other forms of cooperation.
