Latest News
MPs from Middle East find innovative solutions to regional water issues
Members of Parliament from the Middle East, including Israel and Palestine, have declared that access to clean water should not be politicized and should not be used as a weapon in regional conflicts. In a second roundtable, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Committee on Middle East Questions, MPs from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine and the United Arab Emirates have also agreed concrete measures to tackle the water crisis that threatens to further aggravate regional instability. The areas earmarked for action include: mapping those communities most threate... read more
IPU condemns attack on Parliament and MPs in Venezuela
The IPU condemns in the strongest terms the recent attack on the National Assembly in Venezuela. The Organization deplores the assault on members of parliament and the physical integrity of the institution itself. The incident follows an earlier assault on several parliamentarians on 27 June, including a member of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, Delsa Solórzano, who sustained serious injuries.“Any attack on parliament is an assault on democracy,” said IPU President Saber Chowdhury, reaffirming the sanctity of parliament. Noting that President Maduro has also condemned the 5 July attack , the IPU is urging restraint by all sides in the escalating crisis in Venezuela and a return to calm... read more
Regional seminar on promoting child nutrition held in Burkina Faso
An estimated one million children under five die annually from causes related to undernutrition in the Western and Central African Region (WCAR). MPs from the region met in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 27 to 29 June, to discuss how parliaments could contribute to improving maternal and child nutrition. The regional parliamentary seminar was co-organized by the IPU, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Alive & Thrive with support from the Parliament of Burkina Faso. Children who do not get enough nourishment during the crucial first 1,000 days are in danger of being... 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.
