- 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
30/06/2018
Ulrika Karlsson, President of the IPU Bureau of Women MPs, Ex Officio Member of the IPU Executive Committee and Swedish MP, talks about the importance of having more women in parliament in this video for the first International Day of
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
On the occasion of the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018, Robert del Picchia, Member of the IPU Executive Committee and French MP, talks about the dangers faced by parliaments today and the importance of the parliamentary system
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
On the occasion of the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018, Margareta Kiener Nellen, Member of the IPU Executive Committee and Swiss MP, talks about why parliaments have lost the confidence of the people and how they can
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
Agnes Zani, Kenyan MP representing IPU Executive Committee Member Kenyan Speaker K.M. Lusaka, talks about how parliaments can build trust in people in this video for the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018. Watch the the other videos
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
Kazem Jalali, Vice-President, IPU Executive Committee and Iranian MP, speaks about parliaments as the symbol of democracy in this video for the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018. Watch the the other videos from the International Day of
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
Hege Haukeland Liadal, Member of the IPU Executive Committee and Norwegian MP, speaks about the importance of women and youth being represented in parliaments in this video for the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018. Watch the the
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
Fawzia Benbadis, Member of the IPU Executive Committee and Algerian MP, speaks about women in parliament on the occasion of the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018. (Video in French) Watch the the other videos from the International
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
Konstantin Kosachev, Vice-President, IPU Executive Committee and Russian MP, speaks about the different kinds of parliamentary democracy on the occasion of the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018. Watch the the other videos from the International Day of
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong speaks about parliaments and the state of democracy on the occasion of the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018. Watch the the other videos from the International Day of Parliamentarism 2018.
Voices and videos
30/06/2018
IPU President and Mexican Senator Gabriela Cuevas speaks about parliaments and their importance in representing the people on the occasion of the first International Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June 2018. Watch the the other videos from the International Day of