- ImpactWe help parliaments to become greener and to implement the Paris agreement.We support democracy by strengthening parliamentsWe work to increase women’s representation in parliament and empower women MPs.We defend the human rights of parliamentarians and help them uphold the rights of all.We help parliaments fight terrorism, cyber warfare and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.We encourage youth participation in parliaments and empower young MPs.We support parliaments in implementing the SDGs with a particular focus on health and climate change.
- Parliaments
Nearly every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 190 national parliaments in the world, 78 are bicameral (156 chambers) and 112 are unicameral, making a total of 268 chambers of parliament with some 46,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 181 national parliamentsFind a national parliament
The Swiss National Council © The Swiss Parliament
We help strengthen parliaments to make them more representative and effective. - Knowledge
Discover the IPU's resources
Our library of essential resources for parliamentsGlobal data for and about national parliamentsLatest data and reports about women in parliamentResolutions, declarations and outcomes adopted by IPU MembersRecent innovations in the way parliaments workThe latest climate change legislation from the London School of Economics' databaseIPU on air- Conversations about parliamentary action
Strategic partnerships
The IPU, as the global organization of national parliaments, helps bridge the gap between international commitments and their national implementation.
As a result, the IPU has a number of strategic partnerships with other multilateral organizations, notably the United Nations. The IPU has had Permanent Observer Status with the UN since 2002.
Through its offices in Geneva, New York and Vienna, the IPU works closely with most of the UN bodies and agencies, especially in the areas of climate action, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth participation, peace and security and the sustainable development goals.
The IPU brings a parliamentary voice to UN mechanisms or treaties such as the Paris Agreement on climate, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the Human Rights Council or the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
The IPU helps to makes sure that the work of the UN is informed by the views of parliamentarians, as representatives of the people. It also helps parliaments translate UN processes or treaties into action - through laws, budgets and oversight of government commitments.
As well as the United Nations, the IPU works with other multilateral partners by, for example, organizing parliamentary meetings during major global events such as the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference or the G20.
The IPU Committee on UN Affairs facilitates greater understanding of UN processes and work, and brings the voice of parliamentarians to UN policy makers.
In this section
IPU works with the United Nations and other specialized agencies in implementing common policy objectives. Photo: © UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Through its offices in Geneva, New York and Vienna, the IPU partners with most of the UN bodies and specialized agencies in implementing common policy objectives. The partnerships focus on a wide range of areas, especially climate action, human rights
Since 2002, when the IPU became a Permanent Observer to the United Nations, IPU representatives have regularly addressed sessions of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary organs, as well as major United Nations conferences and high-level events. Every two years, the UN Secretary-General issues a Report and the UN General Assembly adopts a Resolution on interaction between the UN
The Hearings provide parliamentary input into the work of the United Nations. Photo: © Joel S Photo/ IPU
IPU organizes an annual parliamentary hearing during the General Assembly that brings together MPs and United Nations officials, representatives of the UN diplomatic community, scholars and leading academics.
World trade policies affect billions of people across the planet. Photo: © IITA/ CCBY
The Parliamentary Conference on WTO aims to enhance parliamentarians’ understanding of the organization and to promote common parliamentary action on international trade.
The first World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, United Nations Headquarters in New York, 2000
Every five years, the IPU, in close cooperation with the United Nations, convenes a World Conference of Speakers of Parliament. This World Conference aims to advance strong and effective multilateralism, with the UN at its core and where parliaments and
2019 G20 Speakers' Summit
G20 Speakers’ Summits (P20) aim to bring a parliamentary dimension to global governance, raise awareness, build political support for international commitments, and ensure that these are effectively translated into national realities.