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A woman places carnations into shields of anti-riot policemen. © Reuters / Vasily Fedosenko 

Peace and security

We help parliaments fight terrorism, cyber warfare and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Ukraine

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.

Explore peace and security
We are founded on the premise that conflicts and differences should be settled through peaceful means, such as mediation and inclusiveness.
The growing threat of global terrorism has only heightened the need for disarmament and non-proliferation. Photo: ©Jonathan McIntosh/CCBY
We encourage, train and support parliaments and MPs in their important responsibility to act to ensure sustainable security for future generations.
Sri Lankan Catholics near a barricade at St. Anthony's Church where an explosion took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 27 April 2019. (Photo by Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto)
The IPU brings a parliamentary response to countering terrorism and extremism conducive to violence, working in partnership with the United Nations.
Latest news and stories on peace-building
Gaza
16/01/2025

IPU leadership statement on the Gaza ceasefire deal

Statements
ipu leadership
16/12/2024

2024: Upholding the IPU’s founding values of peacebuilding

Voices and videos
 Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein, Jordan
26/11/2024

A conversation with... Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein, Jordan

Voices and videos
Dionysia Avgerinopoulou
31/10/2024

Speech by Dionysia Avgerinopoulou at the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform

Voices and videos
unrwa
30/10/2024

IPU statement on UNRWA

Statements
Latest publications on peace-building
With every passing month, our world becomes more violent and dangerous. After a decline in the 1990s and early 2000s, the number of conflicts around the world has been growing – and no region has been left untouched. These conflicts
Religion and belief play a significant role in our States and societies. Over 100 States refer to God in their constitutional or similar instruments, and religion and belief are often present in different branches of government or are interwoven into
One of the aims of United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) is to prevent non-State actors from accessing weapons of mass destruction. Unfortunately, the threats and risks that the resolution aimed to tackle 15 years ago are still present
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Virtual event
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An online conversation between experts and parliamentarians to bridge International Day of Democracy (15 September) and International Day of Peace (21 September).
Sep172024