Peace and security

The IPU was founded in 1889 as the first political multilateral organization in the world that encouraged countries to meet and mediate rather than resolve their differences through war. Throughout our history we have continued to provide a forum for parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue between nations. Both of the founders of the IPU as well as a dozen other leading IPU figures went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

We play a special role in countries emerging from conflict or in transition to democracy, helping to develop their parliaments as robust and democratic institutions that can heal national divisions. 

Disarmament is also crucial for peace. The IPU lobbies hard for a nuclear-weapons-free world and promotes the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1540 on preventing non-State actors from obtaining weapons of mass destruction.

Because war often affects women and youth disproportionately, we focus on peace and security in relation to these groups, based on UN Security Council resolutions 1325 and 2250.

We work with the United Nations, Interpeace, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND) and other organizations that share our commitment to peace.

IPU Members also have a dedicated Committee on Peace and International Security  that meets at every Assembly.