- ImpactWe help parliaments to become greener and to implement the Paris agreement.We support democracy by strengthening parliamentsWe work to increase women’s representation in parliament and empower women MPs.We defend the human rights of parliamentarians and help them uphold the rights of all.We help parliaments fight terrorism, cyber warfare and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.We encourage youth participation in parliaments and empower young MPs.We support parliaments in implementing the SDGs with a particular focus on health and climate change.
- Parliaments
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 parliamentsFind a national parliament
The Swiss National Council © The Swiss Parliament
We help strengthen parliaments to make them more representative and effective. - Knowledge
Discover the IPU's resources
Our library of essential resources for parliamentsGlobal data for and about national parliamentsLatest data and reports about women in parliamentResolutions, declarations and outcomes adopted by IPU MembersRecent innovations in the way parliaments workThe latest climate change legislation from the London School of Economics' databaseIPU on air- Conversations about parliamentary action
Voices and videos
01/05/2019
Susan Kihika, Kenyan MP and President of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, on the barriers preventing women from running for office. She was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch other
Voices and videos
01/05/2019
Dennis Dawson, MP from Canada, on the role of parliamentary diplomacy. He was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019 Watch other interviews from the 140th IPU Assembly in Doha.
Voices and videos
01/05/2019
Nimo Boulhan Houssein, MP from Djibouti, on the barriers preventing women from running for office. She was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. (Video in French) Watch other interviews from the
Voices and videos
01/05/2019
Dorji Khandu, MP from Bhutan, on how to encourage young people to run for parliament. He was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch other interviews from the 140th IPU Assembly
Voices and videos
01/05/2019
Silvia Monica Dinica, MP from Romania, on the barriers preventing women from running for office. She was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch other interviews from the 140th IPU Assembly
Voices and videos
01/05/2019
Juan Pablo Letelier, MP from Chile, on the human rights of parliamentarians and on what we need to do on climate change. He was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch