- ImpactWe help parliaments to become greener and to implement the Paris agreement.We support democracy by strengthening parliamentsWe 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 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.
- Parliaments
Nearly every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 190 parliaments in the world, 79 are bicameral (158 chambers) and 111 are unicameral, making a total of 269 chambers of parliament with some 44,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 178 national parliaments. DiscoverFind 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 parliamentsGlobal data for and about national parliamentsLatest data and reports about women in parliamentResolutions, declarations and outcomes adopted by IPU MembersRecent innovations in the way parliaments workThe latest climate change legislation from the London School of Economics' database
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.
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
Voices
19/12/2022
2022 marked the first year of the IPU's new five-year strategy in which climate action took centre stage. The year was also marked by the resurgence of IPU parliamentary diplomacy with a view to finding a peaceful resolution to the
News in brief
29/11/2022
The Science for Peace Schools is a new pilot annual training scheme for parliamentary staff designed to bridge the worlds of science and politics. Launched by the IPU and the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), the first edition or
News in brief
07/11/2022
The IPU has signed a cooperation agreement with the House of Representatives of Yemen. The agreement was signed on 4 November by Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General, and Sultan Al Burkani, Speaker of the Yemeni House of Representatives. It is
Voices
27/10/2022
The 145th IPU Assembly took place in Kigali, Rwanda from 11-15 October in partnership with the Parliament of Rwanda. Some 1000 delegates, of whom close to 600 were MPs, attended, representing 120 countries. What were the takeaways? What were the
Press releases
14/10/2022
The 145th IPU Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda has adopted a resolution on Ukraine entitled Condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine and of the subsequent annexation of territories, in defence of the territorial integrity of all States. The resolution calls for
Peace and security
Latest publications on peace-building
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
Parliamentarians play a key role in the effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540. In the face of a growing and pervasive terrorist threat, which strikes unpredictably and indiscriminately, it is imperative to take the necessary measures to prevent
With more people internally displaced in the world than before, this Handbook for Parliamentarians jointly produced with UNHCR will help countries and parliaments dealing with such crises to put in place effective legislation and guidance on its implementation.
Peace and security
Related events
Peace and security