About us

The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments.

What began in 1889 as a small group of parliamentarians, dedicated to promoting peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue, has since grown into a truly global organization with 181 Members and 15 Associate Members. 

The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world. 

Our slogan is: For democracy. For everyone.

Our vision is: We want a world where every voice counts, where democracy and parliaments are at the service of the people for peace and development.

Our mission is: The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. We promote democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. We work for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action.

We are financed primarily by our Members out of public funds. Our headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. We also have offices in New York, United States of America and Vienna, Austria. 

Discover our Strategic Objectives

Discover the IPU Strategy 2022-2026

Discover our latest news, stories and statements.

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IPU flag on Mont Blanc bridge in Geneva
In this section

Contact us

The IPU's headquarters have been based in Geneva, Switzerland since 1921. The IPU occupies a historic building in Geneva called the House of Parliaments. The organization also has smaller offices in New York, USA, and Vienna, Austria.
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IPU building

Working with the IPU

Are you interested in working for peace, democracy, equality and human rights? Join us!
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Objectives

Strategic objectives The IPU’s five interconnected Strategic Objectives are designed to deepen the IPU’s impact. Objectives 1-3 emphasize strong democratic parliaments; Objective 4 focuses on global parliamentary action and interaction; and Objective 5 strengthens the IPU as a whole.
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Structure and governance

IPU governance is made up of different bodies with specific mandates and functions.
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Flags

Members

The IPU is made up of 181 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members.
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Strategic partnerships

The IPU ensures that a parliamentary perspective is reflected in global governance. It bridges the gap between international commitments and national implementation.
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Attendees of IPU Assembly in Doha

Gender-equal IPU

We are deeply committed to the principle of men and women sharing responsibility and decision-making.
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Passy and Cremer

History of the IPU

The Inter-Parliamentary Union was created in 1889, in an era when there were no established means for governments, parliaments or MPs to work together internationally.
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Dr Haroun Kabadi

The Cremer-Passy Prize

The Cremer-Passy Prize, named after the IPU’s founders, William Randall Cremer and Frédéric Passy, is awarded every year to sitting parliamentarians who make an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of the IPU’s objectives, as well as those ”who
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