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.
Fill in a complaint form if you know of a member of a national parliament whose human rights are being violated. The case will then be examined by the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians.
Voices is part of an IPU web series in which we give space to parliamentarians from around the world. The views and opinions they express are their own and do not necessarily reflect the IPU’s position. This piece is by
Geneva, 8 May 2020 Dear colleagues, dear friends! Victory day is celebrated in many countries of the world on May 8 and 9. And in spite of the fact that the official date of the end of the Second World
Some 500 parliamentarians and parliamentary staff from over 80 countries participated in the first of a series of webinars co-organized by the IPU, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The webinar
Organizational setting and reporting relationships The consultant will work in the International Development Programme of the Division of Programmes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). In performing her/his duties, the consultant will report to the Programme Manager for International Development. The
On International Day of Multilateralism on 24 April, information collected by the IPU shows that parliaments all over the world are working together in their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its campaign Parliaments in a time of pandemic, the