- 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
News and case studies
Discover the latest news, case studies, press releases, statements, speeches and photos from the IPU here
Case studies
Case studies
17/05/2023
The Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. The landlocked mountainous country has a fragile ecosystem with around 2,700 glaciers which are beginning to melt, causing floods and landslides. The country suffers from prolonged
Case studies
28/03/2023
Renewed IPU efforts and advocacy have brought new ratifications to international treaties on peace and security, including both the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The ratification of such treaties does not necessarily bring
Case studies
28/03/2023
Democracy requires that MPs are connected with their constituents, explaining their work to them and ensuring that constituents’ needs are represented. In Djibouti, one of the hottest and smallest countries in Africa, the IPU has been helping with that two-way
Press releases
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Press releases
27/05/2023
26 May 2023, Rabat, Morocco and Geneva, Switzerland The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliament of Morocco are organizing the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue: Working together for our common future from 13 to 15 June 2023 in Marrakesh, Morocco
Press releases
15/03/2023
At the 146th IPU Assembly in Manama, Bahrain, parliamentarians representing close to 140 countries adopted by consensus the Manama Declaration Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance and a landmark resolution on Cybercrimes: The new risks to global security
Press releases
14/03/2023
The IPU has launched a new campaign, Parliaments for the Planet, designed to mobilize parliaments and parliamentarians to act on the climate emergency. The campaign will encourage parliaments and those who work in them to lead by example, reduce their
Press releases
07/03/2023
More women than ever hold political decision-making posts worldwide but gender parity is still far off, according to the 2023 edition of the IPU-UN Women Map of Women in Politics.
Press releases
News in brief
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News in brief
30/05/2023
The IPU and the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to bridge the gap between the worlds of science and policy by facilitating exchanges between parliamentarians and the scientific
News in brief
08/05/2023
For the second year running, the IPU is joining the Geneva Coalition on Anticipatory Science and Diplomacy in organizing Science Diplomacy Week from 8-12 May. Initiated in 2022 by the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator Foundation (GESDA), in partnership with
News in brief
26/04/2023
One of the key objectives of the IPU’s new climate change campaign Parliaments for the Planet is to encourage parliaments and parliamentarians to become greener and lead by example. Here are some tips on how to get your parliament on the road to net-zero.
News in brief
19/04/2023
The IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report is sobering reading - and should galvanize action around the world. Parliamentarians are on the frontline.
News in brief
Statements
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Statements
25/04/2023
The IPU vehemently condemns the violent attack against Ugandan opposition MP, Susan Mugabi that took place on 21 April. According to the information received by the IPU, Ms. Mugabi was allegedly assaulted by the police, leaving her in a critical
Statements
24/02/2023
Statement by the IPU Gender Partnership Group The IPU firmly believes that the equitable participation of women in politics is essential for strong democracies and for sustainable development. We stand in support of women’s political participation and representation in Nigeria
Statements
10/02/2023
Geneva, Switzerland, 9 February 2023 On the invitation of the IPU Secretary General, a delegation from the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) of Burkina Faso, led by its President, Dr. Ousmane Bougouma, today visited IPU headquarters. The visit took place in
Statements
07/02/2023
The IPU and the global parliamentary community express their deepest sorrow at the devastation and extensive loss of life in the wake of the earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye and northern Syria earlier this week. We convey our deepest condolences
Statements
Voices
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Voices
30/05/2023
As part of the IPU series called 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this edition, we discover Brian Francis, a parliamentarian from Canada. The
Voices
27/05/2023
Urging Parliamentary Action on Adolescent Well-Being through an IPU Resolution Earlier this year, the IPU held its 146th Assembly in Bahrain. The IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians met to take stock of developments in global and national youth participation in
Voices
24/05/2023
As part of the IPU series called 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this edition, we discover Sana Jamali, a parliamentarian from Pakistan. The
Voices
22/05/2023
As part of the IPU series 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this edition, we discover Victor Sánchez del Real, a parliamentarian from Spain
Voices
Photos
Videos
Latest speeches from IPU Leadership
Speech