News in brief

The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has renewed its calls to national authorities to bring to account those involved in the past abuse of members of parliament, including murder. Although some of the cases are more than

On 17 and 18 February, the IPU and the United Nations brought together some 400 parliamentarians, as well as diplomats, representatives from civil society and experts for a virtual sitting of the Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations. This

The unfolding tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic also offers parliaments a unique chance to address climate change while rebuilding and reimagining national economies. A new IPU policy note, Green approaches to COVID-19 recovery: Policy note for parliamentarians, published in partnership

As the pandemic threw most of the world into turmoil, the IPU remained open for business to support its Members and continue its work of empowering parliaments and parliamentarians for democracy. Discover our end-of-year animation here.

Results from a recent IPU study show that 58 per cent of parliaments were involved to varying degrees in assessing national progress towards the UN global goals this year, compared with 38 per cent in 2019. Every year, countries sign

On 25 November, the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, the IPU and the Kofi Annan Foundation organized a webinar with key actors to evaluate successful policy responses to violence against women in politics (VAWP). Eliminating Violence against

On 18 November 2020, thirty-four members of Sierra Leone’s parliament held a day-long meeting on Engaging Members of Parliament on Female Genital Mutilation: An innovative approach to attaining SDG 5. These select members represent the newly formed first-ever parliamentary Caucus

Twenty-five years after the Beijing Declaration to advance women’s rights, young women are still one of the most under-represented groups in political leadership positions. IPU figures show that only 2.2 per cent of MPs worldwide are under 30, of which

Assuring our Common Future is a new guide for parliaments to support disarmament for security and sustainable development. The IPU contributed to the guide in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Parliamentarians for Global Action, Parliamentarians for Nuclear

In a new research paper, the IPU shines the spotlight on parliamentary staff, the people who support the Members of Parliament. The paper analyses key dimensions of parliamentary autonomy in administrations – from recruitment practices to budgetary powers – across

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reaffirm the right of all people to a decent life, peace and a healthy environment. Parliaments are essential to achieving this ambitious agenda. They play a key role by enacting legislation, adopting national budgets and

Watch the fourth in a series of short videos on the Sustainable Development Goals 5 - gender equality. This video shares some shocking facts about violence against women and outlines steps that parliaments can take against this scourge. This is

Watch the updated third in a series of short videos on the Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. This video on legislation for gender equality looks at how countries can achieve full gender equality, something that none of them

On International Day of Democracy, the Austrian Parliament has announced the publication of a new report, Parliaments Promoting Democracy – Report on Programmes of National Parliaments Promoting Democracy and Human Rights. The report showcases examples of how some 50 countries

The latest resolution on the interaction between the United Nations, parliaments and the IPU has just been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution, co-sponsored by 76 UN Member States, reaffirms the commitment of all parties to continue

As part of their research to produce a handbook to address the issue of legislation that discriminates against women, the IPU and UN Women recently held virtual consultations with parliamentarians from around the world. Laws that discriminate against women affect

On 12 August, International Youth Day 2020, the IPU celebrates the 10th anniversary of its resolution, Youth participation in the democratic process. Adopted by IPU Member Parliaments in 2010 in Thailand, the resolution is a call to action to include

The IPU Advisory Group on Health has issued a statement on the current COVID-19 pandemic, calling on parliaments to cooperate with stakeholders to build capacity to manage health emergencies, including preparedness, prevention and response. The pandemic has placed demands on

The IPU is calling on Speakers of Parliaments to promote national action and investment to advance universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The IPU has partnered with UHC2030, a multi-stakeholder movement whose

Organized by the IPU, the virtual Parliamentary Forum at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will look at lessons learnt from the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only exacted a tragic toll in terms of deaths and