A mega conference of world parliamentarians kicks off in Dhaka today promising to focus on ways and means to end political and economic inequality and uphold democracy and human rights. Around 687 members of 131 national parliaments around the world are expected to join the 4-day event organised jointly by the Geneva-based IPU (Inter Parliamentary Union) and Bangladesh's Parliament the Jatiya Sangsad. Around 1348 delegates are expected to participate in the conference. <br/><br/>During the Conference the parliamentarians will concentrate on the impact of inequality on the poor, women, and vulnerable groups as the IPU believes the consequences of inequality are unsustainable leading to instability and undermining of human rights around the world. The Conference will also adopt a resolution to guarantee the financial inclusion of women as drivers of development. <br/><br/>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the mega Conference this evening during which function she will also release a commemorative stamp and launch the IPU web television. Indian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi will be the keynote speaker at the opening session of the debates tomorrow. Pakistan has decided not to send any delegation and cited no reason for non-participating. <br/><br/>War crime trials involving local collaborators of the Pakistani army during the 1971 Liberation War currently going on in Bangladesh may be the reason behind Pakistan's non-participation.