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.
How can parliaments ensure that COVID-19 recovery strategies are in line with the SDGs?
Mar162021
Jointly organized by the IPU and UNESCAP, the webinar will provide parliaments with up-to-date information on the status of SDG implementation in the COVID-19 era.
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 impact of COVID-19 on SDG implementation in the UNECE region: What role for parliaments?
Mar092021
Jointly organized by the IPU and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the webinar will provide parliaments with up-to-date information on the status of SDG implementation.
On the the occasion of the anniversary of Thailand's membership, this video tells the fascinating story of some of the milestones of the parliament's active contributions to the IPU over the past seven decades. Produced by the Thailand Parliament.
As part of a new IPU series called 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this edition, we discover Fadli Zon, a parliamentarian from Indonesia
As part of a new IPU series called 'A conversation with', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this edition, we discover Harriett Baldwin, a Member of Parliament
As part of a new IPU series called 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this edition, we discover Mohamed Ali Houmed, a Member of
As part of a new IPU series called 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this edition, we discover Issa Mardo Djabir, a Member of