The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
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 44,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 180 national parliaments
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was constituted under the United Nations Charter to help nations settle disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.
Throughout the year, the IPU and its Members organize many events for parliamentarians to exchange good practices, acquire the latest information and identify avenues for action.
The IPU has been collecting data on parliaments since its inception in 1889, including information on women’s participation in politics since 1945. In this section, discover the IPU's knowledge bank for and about parliaments.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union, in collaboration with the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes, is organizing an online hearing to allow for the expression and inclusion of parliamentary voices in the drafting of the convention on cybercrime.
Cyberspace has expanded beyond a “technical” realm and is now a dimension where interactions and activities are taking place as in real-world. Parliamentarians, through their legislative, oversight, budget setting, and representative functions are key to understanding and addressing these modern threats nationally and internationally. These virtual meeting sessions are an exclusive opportunity to inform the Chair of the United Nations Ad hoc Committee conducting negotiations on a convention on cybercrime about the needs and importance of the involvement of parliaments and parliamentarians in this global attempt to address cyber risks efficiently
The event will take place online in two sessions to suit participants in different time zones and allow for a maximum of points of view and inclusive exchanges of experiences. Session 1 will take place in English only while Session 2 will be conducted in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic via with simultaneous interpretation.