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 Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments with a membership of 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members. The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments with a membership of 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members. The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments with a membership of 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members. The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to
The IPU regrets to announce that André Chandernagor, former President of the IPU and a distinguished personality in French politics, died on 19 November 2025 aged 104 years old. Born in 1921 in Vienne, France, André Chandernagor was a lawyer
The Parliamentarians’ Global Guide to Climate Change and Climate Solutions provides legislators and policymakers around the world with the latest evidence and tools to understand and respond to the challenges of the climate emergency. Coordinated by the University of Exeter
As part of the IPU series 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians and experts from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this special edition, we speak to Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi
Parliamentarians from around the world, gathered in Belém for the IPU’s Parliamentary Meeting at COP30, the UN Climate Change Conference, have reaffirmed their strong commitment to supporting governments in intensifying their efforts to address the climate emergency. Over 200 MPs