KATHMANDU: The 206th session of the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the common forum of the world’s parliaments, has begun.

The ‘virtual’ conference, which started last night according to Nepali time, will last for four days.

Agni Prasad Sapkota, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ram Kumari Jhankri, Member of the House of Representatives and Jitendra Narayan Dev, Member of the National Assembly have represented Nepal in the ongoing session as members of the Governing Council. Likewise, lawmaker Ekwal Miah is participating in the
convention as an observer.

This session of the Governing Council will elect a new chairman of the IPU. Each Governing Council member shall elect a Chairman by secret ballot.

Representatives from 162 countries including Nepal are participating in the convention.

Representatives from Pakistan, Portugal, Uzbekistan and Canada have nominated candidates for the IPU presidency. The term of the IPU chairman will be three years.

Meanwhile, Agni Prasad Sapkota, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ram Kumari Jhankri, Member of the House of Representatives and Jitendra Narayan Dev, Member of the National Assembly have cast their votes for the post of IPU Chairperson.