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 and the Tecnológico de Monterrey School of Government and Public Transformation have partnered to offer members of parliament from around the world an executive education course tailored to their needs.
The proposed course will provide an opportunity for MPs to develop their professional and human potential through the high academic level, resources and programmes of excellence on offer. The objective is to build skills, create knowledge and determine strategies in response to the most pressing global as well as national problems. The course should enable MPs to develop new ways of handling politics and citizenship, with a view to transforming society through social innovation and ideas for new collaboration models.