- Our impact
The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.We help strengthen parliaments to make them more effective and representative.We 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 create the global space for parliamentary diplomacy, dialogue and networking.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.We bring a parliamentary dimension to United Nations processes to ensure international commitments become national realities. - Parliaments
Every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 193 countries in the world, 79 are bicameral and 113 are unicameral, making a total of 272 chambers of parliament with over 46,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 179 national parliaments. Discover the world's nationalFind 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 parliamentsYour one-stop-shop for data for and about national parliamentsLatest data and reports about women's participation in politicsRecent innovations in the way parliaments do their work
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 of national parliaments. Today, our membership inches ever closer to being universal, with 179 Member Parliaments ,13 Associate Members, and increasing numbers of parliamentarians from all over the world involved in our work.
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 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 latest news, stories and statements here.
In this section
Frenchman Frédéric Passy (left) and Englishman William Randal Cremer created IPU out of a deep commitment to peace and dialogue - © FAO
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.
IPU governance is made up of different bodies with specific mandates and functions.
The Statutes of the IPU contain the rules governing IPU bodies and the Secretariat, the IPU's financial regulations and the practical modalities of the rights and responsibilities of observers at IPU meetings.
© IPU
We are deeply committed to the principle of men and women sharing responsibility and decision-making.
© IPU
The ASGP brings together Secretaries General and other senior office holders in charge of parliamentary services.
Under the umbrella slogan of "130 years of empowering parliamentarians", the IPU and its Members are celebrating 130 years of parliamentary diplomacy and action from June 2019 to June 2020.