LISBON, PORTUGAL AND GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (11 MARCH 2026) – UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organization of national parliaments, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to mobilize lawmakers worldwide to improve health outcomes and strengthen health systems through legislative impact.
The agreement establishes a framework for joint action on several matters such as the Pandemic Agreement and equitable access to health services, helping translate global commitments into concrete parliamentary action at the national level.
Under the partnership, UNITE and the IPU will work together to equip parliamentarians with the knowledge, tools and networks needed to develop and implement evidence-based health policies. The collaboration will focus on parliamentary dialogue, budget scrutiny and accountability, ensuring that communities’ health needs are reflected in legislation and oversight.
The MoU anchors cooperation in a series of high-level forums throughout 2026, including the UNITE Global Summit, the 152nd and 153rd IPU Assemblies as well as collaboration at the IPU–WHO Parliamentary Forum during the World Health Assembly in May 2026.
As part of the collaboration, UNITE and the IPU will jointly develop and disseminate information for parliamentarians on the Pandemic Agreement. The partners will also amplify each other’s initiatives through social media and other communication channels to strengthen awareness and political engagement on key global health priorities.
“UNITE was founded on the belief that political will is the missing ingredient in achieving better health for all” said Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite, Founder and President of UNITE. “Through this agreement with the IPU, we are not just forming a partnership—we are committing to turn global health commitments, including the Pandemic Agreement, into concrete legislation and stronger, more resilient health systems.”
“Parliaments and parliamentarians are central to delivering on the right to health,” said Mr. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the IPU. “By joining forces with UNITE, the IPU will further support our Member Parliaments in scrutinizing health policies, allocating resources where they are most needed, and ensuring that no one is left behind as countries work to strengthen health systems and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The agreement formalizes a shared political commitment to sustained parliamentary engagement on global health, including regular consultations, information exchange and the identification of new opportunities for joint advocacy.
About UNITE
UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health is a non-partisan, non profit, global network of over 540 current and former members of parliament from 120 countries, committed to advancing evidence-based health policies and the health agenda, strengthening political accountability for health outcomes, and promoting cross-border parliamentary diplomacy and political strategies to tackle shared health challenges. Its members work across regions and political contexts to drive stronger health systems, universal health coverage and implementation of the health related Sustainable Development Goals through political leadership and accountability.
About the IPU
The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 183 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener and more gender-balanced. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.
For interviews and more information about the IPU, contact [email protected]
