The latest edition of the IPU’s World e-Parliament Report 2024 highlights significant progress in the digital landscape of legislatures worldwide.
However, the report also points out an increasing digital divide between rich and poor parliaments, which can have an impact on the quality of democracy.
This is the eighth edition of the biennal IPU report, produced by the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament. The findings are based on survey responses from 115 parliamentary chambers in 86 countries and supranational parliaments.
Key findings
Accelerating digital transformation
Digital transformation in parliaments is gaining momentum. Over two-thirds (68%) of parliaments now have multi-year digital strategies, and 73% have formal modernization programmes.
Digital divide
Country income level is the most significant predictor of digital maturity. Parliaments in high-income countries rank highly but about two-thirds of parliaments in low-income countries fall into the category of least digitally mature.
Emerging technologies
Cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly being adopted in parliaments, with 68% using cloud services and 29% embracing AI tools.
Cybersecurity is a top priority, with 70% of parliaments adopting national cybersecurity standards and 53% having internal cybersecurity strategies.
Importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation
The share of parliaments participating in the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament has increased from 27% in 2020 to 45% in 2024.
Seventy per cent of parliaments surveyed expressed willingness to provide support to others.
New: The IPU Digital Maturity Index
This edition of the report introduces the IPU Digital Maturity Index, a pioneering tool to help parliaments assess their progress across six key areas including governance, infrastructure and public engagement.
Legislatures in Europe and the Americas lead the way on digital maturity, while those in the Pacific region and sub-Saharan Africa are struggling to keep pace.
Recommendations
The report makes the following recommendations for parliaments:
- Develop clear digital strategies
- Allocate adequate resources
- Establish robust governance frameworks
- Invest in capacity-building
- Prioritize public engagement
- Strengthen inter-parliamentary collaboration
Quote
IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong, said: “Parliaments cannot afford to fall behind as society embraces new technology. The future quality of democracy and its institutions are at stake. A digitally advanced parliament is a stronger, more effective, more transparent and more accountable parliament. This report shows how innovation and technology in parliaments can help them deliver better outcomes for the people.”
The report will be presented at next week’s 149th IPU Assembly from 13-17 October 2024 in Geneva under the overarching theme: Harnessing science, technology and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future.
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The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded more than 130 years ago as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 180 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes democracy and helps parliaments develop into stronger, younger, greener, more gender-balanced and more innovative institutions. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.
For more information about the IPU, contact Thomas Fitzsimons at [email protected]
