Dr. Tulia Ackson, representing the IPU, the global organization of national parliaments, participated along with other delegates in discussing nuclear security and the role of all countries in renewing the International Treaty on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy within their national frameworks.

On May 21, Dr. Tulia Ackson also met and held discussions with the Speaker of the Austrian Parliament, Hon. Wolfgang Sobotka, at the Parliament offices in Vienna, and later received a guided tour of the newly renovated Austrian Parliament. Parliaments have the task of acting and restoring the population's confidence in the values of democracy, agreed The Hon. Wolfgang Sobotka during the conversation with Dr. Tulia Ackson. During their exchange, they addressed the current global threats and challenges to democracy – from artificial intelligence to loss of trust to armed conflicts.

Furthermore, the IAEA Bulletin published an interview with Dr. Tulia Ackson, titled “Strengthening Parliaments’ Role in Nuclear Security”. The interview highlighted the role and work of the IPU, especially in promoting peace and security, as well as advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Tulia Ackson discussed how the organization encourages parliamentary diplomacy to resolve conflicts peacefully and emphasizes the importance of disarmament and non-proliferation efforts for global peace.

Regarding the universalization of legal instruments for nuclear security, Dr. Ackson explained the IPU's efforts in raising awareness, providing assistance, and advocating for the ratification and implementation of disarmament treaties. The IPU has been actively involved in discussions on nuclear issues and has facilitated regional seminars to promote the development and implementation of effective measures to secure nuclear materials.

In addition, Dr. Ackson emphasized the crucial role of parliamentarians in promoting adherence to international legal instruments like the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM). Parliamentarians play a key role in ratifying and overseeing the implementation of these instruments, and the IPU supports its member parliaments in sharing experiences and showcasing the benefits of such treaties. She stressed the importance of global cooperation in addressing nuclear security challenges and believes that parliamentary diplomacy can contribute to effective solutions.

• https://x.com/UbaloziVienna https://x.com/UbaloziVienna
• https://x.com/IPUparliament https://x.com/IPUparliament
• https://www.iaea.org/bulletin/strengthening-parliaments-role-in-nuclear-security https://www.iaea.org/bulletin/strengthening-parliaments-role-in-nuclear-security
• https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/pk/jahr_2024/pk0500 https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/pk/jahr_2024/pk0500