International Day of Parliamentarism

The International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated every year on 30 June, the date in 1889 on which the IPU was founded. The Day was established in 2018 through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution.Instituting an international day for parliaments is ...

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) and its rapid application across political, economic and social spheres offers potential benefits to humanity and the development sector. However, recent major advances also pose immediate risks to democracy, human rights and the rule of law that must be urgently addressed by legislators around the world. AI-related risks range from democratic instability to ethical concerns, global ...

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee oversees our administration and makes recommendations to our Governing Council on various matters, including applications by national parliaments or regional parliamentary assemblies wishing to join us. It also assesses candidates for the post of Secretary General, and submits a recommendation to the Governing Council. The Committee sets the date and venue of our ...

The Cremer-Passy Prize

The Cremer-Passy Prize, named after the IPU’s founders, William Randall Cremer and Frédéric Passy, is awarded every year to sitting parliamentarians who make an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of the IPU’s objectives, as ...

Impact Report 2025

In 2025, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) made significant strides with its 2022–2026 Strategy through a renewed focus of its original mission to bring parliamentarians together to advance peace, democracy and development. With two new Member Parliaments joining in 2025 – Belize and Brunei ...

Women in Politics: 2026

The IPU-UN Women map, presents global rankings for women in executive and government positions as of 1 January 2026.Read the press release

When the public turns hostile: Political violence against parliamentarians

When the public turns hostile: Political violence against parliamentarians reveals that members of parliament (MPs) are facing a worrying rise in intimidation and harassment from the public. The report draws on a broad survey of 519 MPs globally and case studies ...

Women in parliament in 2025

The IPU's annual publication looks at progress and setbacks of the representation of women in parliament. The report is based on data from the 49 countries that held parliamentary polls for 62 chambers in 2025 as well as the overall picture. 

Interactive map of the latest cases of MPs in danger

MPs can sometimes be subject to human rights violations, ranging from arbitrary detention and exclusion from public life to even kidnapping and murder in the worst cases. The IPU has been defending MPs in danger for the past 50 years through its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians.The map below shows the latest alleged violations of ...

Universal Declaration on Democracy

Declaration adopted without a vote* by the Inter-Parliamentary Council at its 161st session (Cairo, 16 September 1997) The Inter-Parliamentary Council, Reaffirming the Inter-Parliamentary Union's commitment to peace and development and convinced that the strengthening of the democratisation process and representative institutions will ...

IPU on air- Conversations about parliamentary action

Guidelines for the elimination of sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliament

These guidelines offer advice and practical information for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff on how to transform parliaments into gender-sensitive environments free from sexism and abuse.  Learn more about the IPU's work on gender equality.

10 actions for stronger national climate commitments

Countries’ national climate commitments, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), are essential components of the global response to climate change under the Paris Agreement, an international treaty aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5°C. An NDC serves as a country’...

Interfaith dialogue

Interfaith dialogue is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for peacebuilding and diplomacy. It acknowledges the central role of religion and belief in many people's lives, and the influence of religious leaders and institutions in shaping communities and providing spiritual ...

Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections

Unanimously adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Council at its 154th session (Paris, 26 March 1994) The Inter-Parliamentary Council, Reaffirming the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which establish that the authority ...