The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been appointed a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Task Force on the peaceful resolution of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The appointment was confirmed by the IPU President, who praised Speaker Bagbin for his “integrity, impartiality, and ability to build trust with all parties.” He now joins seven other distinguished parliamentarians drawn from all six IPU geopolitical groups.

In a letter appointing Speaker Bagbin to the Task Force, the Secretary-General of the IPU, Martin Chungong, expressed confidence in the Speaker’s contribution to peace efforts.

“We are confident that your leadership and experience will enhance the work and impact of the Task Force in its mission to support diplomatic efforts in seeking a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine,” he stated.

The IPU Task Force was established in March 2022 as an ad hoc body to promote dialogue between parliamentarians from Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Since its creation, the Task Force has held over thirteen meetings and conducted a mission to Kyiv and Moscow in July 2022. It also holds biannual consultations with Ukrainian and Russian parliamentary delegations during IPU Assemblies.

According to the statement, the Task Force continues to provide one of the few platforms for dialogue between the two sides.

“At a time when avenues for dialogue are scarce, this Task Force remains one of the few platforms where both Ukrainian and Russian parliamentarians continue to engage,” it noted.

Speaker Bagbin’s inclusion, the statement added, positions the Task Force for renewed efforts to broker peace. Described as a seasoned international peace negotiator and broker, Speaker Bagbin is expected to play a key role in facilitating discussions and mediating talks between the two nations.

As part of his duties, the Speaker will attend in-person meetings during IPU Assemblies and participate in hearings and discussions with Ukrainian and Russian IPU delegations. He will also engage in dialogue with government leaders from both countries “with the ultimate aim of dousing the war in Ukraine.”