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 first eight months of 2024 have seen limited progress in women’s representation in parliaments worldwide according to the IPU’s mid-year provisional analysis. With roughly half the world’s population going to the polls in 2024, the year started with high
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) welcomes the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Pact for the Future, a landmark initiative to reboot multilateralism and address 21st-century challenges. The IPU particularly welcomes Action 55 of the Pact, which recognizes the importance of
Hundreds of parliamentarians from around the world will gather in Geneva for the 149th IPU Assembly, taking place from 13-17 October 2024. Under the overarching theme: Harnessing science, technology, and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future, legislators will
Watch IPU President Tulia Ackson's statement in the week that bridges International Day of Democracy (15 September) and International Day of Peace (21 September).