Latest News
IPU Participates in Geneva Peace Week
How can countries ensure that peace, once established, is sustainable? And what can be done about inequality, which, if allowed to persist, can be a threat to peace? IPU co-hosted two events during Geneva Peace Week to look into these questions, bringing a parliamentary perspective to them. The first of these was When Peace Agreements Fail to Secure Sustainable Peace: Learning from Yemen, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Participants discussed the factors due to which, in spite of negotiations and agreements, outbreaks of violence had broken out in these three countries. read more
IPU concerned about detained Turkish MPs
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is concerned about the recent arrests and detention of parliamentarians from the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey. The Organization is particularly worried by the allegations that these MPs may have been targeted in response to their conduct of peaceful political activities. IPU is in contact with the Turkish authorities to enquire into the exact circumstances of and justification for the arrests and detention. IPU President Saber Chowdhury and IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong urge the authorities to take every step to ensure respect for the rule of law. They stress that these MPs are entitled to due process and fair trial guarantees in any legal proceedings against them. read more
IPU and CERN to work together for peace
The heads of IPU and CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) signed a cooperation agreement that aims to promote initiatives for peace and intercultural dialogue; facilitate exchanges between the scientific community and parliamentarians; and raise parliamentarians’ awareness of the importance of science for sustainable development. The event took place at IPU Headquarters in Geneva on 1 November 2016. IPU recognizes that science and scientific education contribute to fostering inclusive dialogue and sustainable development. IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong said that he saw a strong case for collaboration. “Science doesn’t lie,” he said. read more
The global organization of parliaments, IPU works to establish democracy, peace and cooperation among peoples.
Representative Democracy
A strong and efficient parliament is critical to democracy. IPU works to make parliaments more effective in fulfilling their government oversight and legislative roles, in guaranteeing people’s rights and liberties and in securing peace and development.
Women in Politics
Democracy means all voices are heard. IPU is committed to ensuring that women - half of the world’s population - are able to participate equally in politics. Its unique research and data on women’s political participation is a widely used barometer on progress.
International Peace and Security
IPU’s primary goals are peace and democracy. It gives special priority to preventing and eliminating conflict through political dialogue. It responds to crises which affect world or regional security and monitors certain conflict situations.
Promoting Human Rights
Parliament has a special responsibility to ensure human rights are respected. IPU provides protection and redress to MPs at risk of abuse and helps parliaments to make human rights a reality for everyone.
Sustainable Development
Parliaments play a critical role in social and economic development. IPU supports parliaments on key international development goals, on making development aid more effective and on strengthening parliamentary action on climate change.
Cooperation with the UN
IPU works closely with the United Nations and other multi-lateral bodies to ensure there is a parliamentary dimension to international cooperation, global governance as well as in the resolution of major international issues.
Key Events
IPU brings together parliamentarians from around the world to actively find solutions to global and regional problems.
You can find a list of Future Events here.
