Inter-Parliamentary Union
Better parliaments, stronger democracies
Latest News
Building Alliances to Tackle Gender-Based Violence in Burundi
MPs and local leaders are joining forces in a series of meetings to address gender-based violence and women’s rights in Burundi. The two-day consultations are being organized in three different regions with IPU support with the first taking place in Cibitoke on 27 May. They are designed to raise local awareness of national and international legislation in place to safeguard women’s rights, whilst at the same time giving MPs a better understanding of the practical needs of local leaders and citizens in protecting and assisting women...[read more]
Parliaments are Key to Minimising the Impact of Natural Disasters
The role of parliaments in reducing the impact of disasters on human lives is crucial, said IPU Deputy Secretary-General in a speech to a global policy platform in Geneva this week. Martin Chungong added that it was “critical” that the post-2015 plans for combating natural hazards recognised parliaments as a key partner. Speaking at the Fourth Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, Chungong said parliaments not only translate international commitments and development policies into local legislation but also allocate funding through the national budget. Furthermore, a fully representative and transparent parliament is the only institution that can hold government to account to ensure the most effective response to disasters. ...[read more]
Ecuador and Bangladesh Elect Women Speakers for the First Time
The election of Gabriela Rivadeneira as Ecuador’s first woman speaker of parliament in mid-May comes hard on the heels of another such first. Earlier in the month, Bangladesh also elected Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury as its first ever speaker of parliament. This brings the total number of women speakers in the world to 41 in 39 countries. Dr. Chowdhury, a former minister for women and children affairs and member of the Awami League Party, was unanimously voted into office after the previous speaker Abdul Hamid became President. Bangladesh now has women in three of its top four political posts. Previously a Supreme Court lawyer, she worked on many human rights cases involving constitutional issues.
...[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.
Promoting universal birth registration in Latin America and the Caribbean
LIMA, 7-9 June
New Model Act
A new Model Act aimed at providing national parliaments across the world with a legal
framework to ensure a more effective aid response to natural disasters and so lessen the impact of catastrophes on human lives has been produced... [read more]