A delegation of British MPs has arrived in Geneva for a week of talks with parliamentarians from around the world.

Around 500 parliamentary representatives from 140 countries are attending the 111th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

They will be discussing the role of parliaments in preventing the proliferation of weapons, preserving biodiversity and combating terrorism.

South Africa has also tabled an emergency motion on the situation in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The chairman of the British group, John Austin, is joined by vice chairman John Wilkinson, Alan Meale and Marion Roe.

Austin told ePolitix.com: "These conferences are held annually and they are immensely useful in bringing parliamentarians together.

"The have been particularly good in helping conflict resolution and helping new democracies get established.

"This is one of the few occasions that Israeli and Palestinian parliamentarians can talk to each other directly, for example, and the Balkan states have also found it useful.

"It's not just a talking shop, it's a place where things actually get done."

As well as discussing a range of issues the group works to protect the human rights of parliamentarians.

Ann Clwyd, who represents Britain in this area, is unable to attend because she is at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.