- 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 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 179 national parliamentsFind 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
Countering terrorism and violent extremism
The IPU brings a parliamentary response to countering terrorism and extremism conducive to violence, working in partnership with the United Nations.
In line with our founding principles of dialogue and peace-building, addressing terrorism has been on IPU agendas since the early 20th century, including at its 23rd Conference in 1925 in Washington D.C., USA.
The IPU has set up a Joint Programme on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism of the IPU in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).
The work of the Joint Programme is supported by the IPU’s High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism (HLAG).
The HLAG is composed of members of parliament who have specific relevant knowledge and experience. It usually meets twice a year in camera during IPU Assemblies, although additional meetings may be held outside the Assemblies. It reports to the Governing Council.
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)
Interactive map of counter-terrorism legislation
This interactive map presents good practices, legislation and public documentation on counter-terrorism from different parliaments from around the world.
