Latest News
UN Secretary-General candidates reach out to world’s parliaments
Candidates hoping to succeed Ban Ki-moon as Secretary-General of the United Nations have stressed their commitment to engaging with IPU and the world’s parliaments – and to helping deliver the new global development agenda - in their responses to three questions put to them by IPU. All nine contenders responded and set out their positions on parliamentary engagement in implementing the SDGs, strengthening the UN’s relationship with IPU and parliaments, and the role of MPs in the Secretary-General selection process. read more
IPU President visits Russia urging MPs to work for peace
IPU President Saber Chowdhury is undertaking a visit to Russia from 18-20 May, thanking MPs there for inviting the organization to hold its autumn 2017 Assembly in St Petersburg and stressing the role of parliaments in creating and maintaining a peaceful world. In a speech to the Council of the Federation, the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament, Mr Chowdhury praises Russia's longstanding membership of IPU and urges MPs to continue working for peace. He points to the crucial role of parliaments in delivering a better world by framing appropriate laws and undertaking proper oversight of measures such as those aimed at achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. read more
IPU Secretary General sets out Gender Champions vision
IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong has stressed the organization's commitment to working for gender equality and has outlined strategic steps necessary for progress. In an address to the mid-year review of the International Geneva Gender Champions initiative, Mr Chungong described equality as a key component of better parliaments. He said IPU's strategy to achieve it was focused on setting targets, monitoring and providing support for women's participation in politics, building the capacity of parliaments and helping them with advice and training. 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.
