Liberal International participated in the 152nd Assembly of the Inter‑Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul, joining parliamentarians from around the world to engage on issues of democracy, human rights, peace, and international security.
The Liberal International delegation consisted of Astrid Thors, Deputy President of Liberal International, William Townsend, Secretary General of Liberal International and Noah Wilenius, Staff Intern at Liberal International. During the Assembly, the delegation attended key sessions, including the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, and the Open Session of the Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law, which focused on parliamentary action to end statelessness.
Alongside the official Assembly programme, Liberal International convened a meeting of liberal parliamentarians, bringing together Members of Parliament from African and European liberal parties. The meeting provided a dedicated space for exchange on shared political challenges and liberal responses. Discussions centred on three critical topics: political imprisonment; the use of artificial intelligence in democracy, which prompted an in‑depth exchange on opportunities, risks, and regulatory responsibilities; and global realignment in trade, addressing shifting geopolitical dynamics and their implications for democratic economies.
In partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), Liberal International also co‑organised a dinner focused on the political situation in Türkiye. FNF presented its analysis of current political developments, followed by contributions from Burak Dalgın, Member of the Turkish Parliament, who shared insights from within the country’s political system. The discussion was further enriched by Ayşe Buğra, the wife of politically imprisoned Osman Kavala, the winner of the Price for Freedom in 2025, who spoke about political imprisonment and the realities faced by those defending democratic freedoms in Türkiye.
The dinner provided a valuable opportunity for liberal parliamentarians to connect, exchange perspectives, and reflect collectively on democratic challenges from their national parliamentary contexts, supporting solidarity and cooperation within the liberal family.
