- 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
News in brief
26/01/2023
2022 was a turbulent year as the world felt the impacts of climate change and a new war in Europe with global repercussions, including a sharp spike in energy and food costs. Nevertheless, democracy pressed on, with scores of elections
News in brief
26/01/2023
A new law in Sierra Leone will ensure that at least 30% of parliamentarians are women and impose similar quotas in other institutions, including government, local councils, the diplomatic corps and the civil service. The Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
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The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. We promote democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. We work for peace, democracy
Press releases
19/01/2023
The IPU’s newly released World e-Parliament Report 2022 shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation in parliaments and made them more flexible, innovative and resilient. This seventh edition of the report is based on a survey of 123
Statements
16/01/2023
It is with great sadness that the IPU learnt of the murder of former Afghan parliamentarian Ms. Mursal Nabizada. According to news reports, Ms. Nabizada and her bodyguard were shot dead at her home in Kabul on 15 January. Ms
Statements
09/01/2023
The IPU condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks on the Brazilian Congress and other state institutions on Sunday 8 January. Nearly two years to the day of the assault on the US Congress, the events in Brasilia serve
Voices and videos
25/12/2022
End of year message from IPU leadership 2022 saw the first year of the implementation of our new 5-year strategy. The Strategy gives us a renewed mandate to continue strengthening and connecting parliaments for peace, democracy and sustainable development. Climate
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The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 178 national Member Parliaments and
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The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. We promote democratic governance and work with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. The promotion and protection of human rights
Voices and videos
19/12/2022
2022 marked the first year of the IPU's new five-year strategy in which climate action took centre stage. The year was also marked by the resurgence of IPU parliamentary diplomacy with a view to finding a peaceful resolution to the