The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
We help parliaments build peaceful and inclusive societies, fight terrorism and violent extremism and curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Nearly every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 188 national parliaments in the world, 81 are bicameral (162 chambers) and 107 are unicameral, making a total of 269 chambers of parliament with some 44,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 183 national parliaments
Throughout the year, the IPU and its Members organize many events for parliamentarians to exchange good practices, acquire the latest information and identify avenues for action.
The IPU has been collecting data on parliaments since its inception in 1889, including information on women’s participation in politics since 1945. In this section, discover the IPU's knowledge bank for and about parliaments.
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
Changemaker Ms. Puan Maharani is the first woman and third youngest Speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia. She was among the first Speakers to sign up to the “I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament!” Campaign, and championed
After signing up to the “I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament!” campaign, the first woman Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Changemaker Ms. Nelly Mutti, helped establish a groundbreaking new youth body, the ‘ Zambia Youth Parliamentary Caucus’
Last week the IPU welcomed at its headquarters in Geneva several parliamentary delegations to discuss parliamentary action on a number of issues, including human rights, climate change, global parliamentary diplomacy, and violence against women MPs. All ten members of the
2022 was a turbulent year as the world felt the impacts of climate change and a new war in Europe with global repercussions, including a sharp spike in energy and food costs. Nevertheless, democracy pressed on, with scores of elections
A new law in Sierra Leone will ensure that at least 30% of parliamentarians are women and impose similar quotas in other institutions, including government, local councils, the diplomatic corps and the civil service. The Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment