The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
Nearly every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 190 national parliaments in the world, 78 are bicameral (156 chambers) and 112 are unicameral, making a total of 268 chambers of parliament with some 44,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 180 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.
Universal health coverage and equity: Always hand in hand?
Summary
Health equity is achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being. Although equity is a guiding principle of universal health coverage (UHC), it is not automatically achieved with the implementation of UHC policies and strategies. The IPU is organizing a global virtual workshop to discuss what the equity principle means in practice for country efforts towards UHC and how parliaments can integrate equity considerations in debates and action on UHC.
The workshop is part of the process to follow up on the IPU resolution “Achieving universal health coverage by 2030: The role of parliaments in realizing the right to health”, and it will launch the IPU brief: “A Winnable Battle: Parliamentarians and universal health coverage”.
It is open to all parliaments and will take place on Zoom. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English, French and Spanish.