57th Inter-Parliamentary Conference

The 57th Inter-Parliamentary Conference, held in New Delhi from October 30th to November 7th, 1969, brought together parliamentary groups from various countries under the umbrella of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Established in 1889, the IPU aims to foster personal contacts among members of national parliaments and promote common action to strengthen democratic institutions and advance international peace and cooperation.

With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the IPU currently boasts around 70 member countries. India joined the organization in 1949, following a motion initiated by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly of India. Since then, Indian parliamentary delegations have regularly participated in the annual conferences held in member countries, with the Speaker of Lok Sabha serving as the President, MPs as members, and the Lok Sabha Secretary as the Secretary of the Indian Group of the IPU.

The New Delhi conference marked the first time that India hosted the event, attracting approximately 600 foreign delegates, including speakers, ministers, and MPs from about 70 member countries. Additionally, 16 international organizations sent observers to attend the conference.

Key topics discussed during the conference included the international situation, the role of medium and small powers in maintaining global peace, social progress and its impact on economic development, prospects for arms control agreements, the role of parliaments in environmental protection and natural resource conservation, parliamentary relations with local authorities, and cultural exchanges to enhance international understanding.

India took pride in hosting this prestigious international conference, and the Government of India’s Posts & Telegraphs Department marked the occasion by issuing a special postage stamp to commemorate the inauguration of the conference.