Latest News
MPs from Middle East to work together on critical water issue
Members of Parliament from the Middle East, including Israel and Palestine, will take part in a round-table event next week to seek solutions to the critical issue of Middle East water resources. The MPs will explore scientific and technological solutions to a range of complex questions including water scarcity, fair distribution, drought, and managing demand in the face of sudden surges caused by refugee flows. The event in Geneva from 31 May to 2 June aims to produce a roadmap for a new co-operative project involving scientific research teams to deal with the water issue, as well as creating a space for science-led discussion and the exchange of expertise within the region. read more
IPU Secretary General commits to mobilizing parliaments in historic WHA speech
In a historic double-first at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong has delivered a speech committing IPU to mobilizing parliaments for more successful outcomes on health, and has attended the first-ever parliamentary event at the gathering. In his Assembly address, Mr Chungong made clear IPU's commitment to working alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) to enable parliaments to contribute to universal health coverage and to ensure access to health care for people who are vulnerable and marginalized. He pointed out that health had gained increased prominence on IPU's agenda at its Assemblies for the past 10 years and said a clear link had been established between health and human rights. read more
IPU Committee to undertake Syria refugee mission in Lebanon
Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law are to undertake a three-day mission to Lebanon to assess the Syrian refugee crisis. The mission, starting on 30 May, will investigate the situation of Syrian refugees as well as their impact on Lebanon as a host country. Lebanon, with a population of some four million people, is currently home to more than a million Syrian refugees, according to figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The IPU team will be led by Committee President Samir Owais from Jordan and will include MPs from Europe and Africa. It will meet refugees, government officials and senior workers from humanitarian and other organisations, including UNHCR and the ICRC to discuss the crisis and how best it might be alleviated with strengthened action from the global parliamentary community. read more
The global organization of parliaments, IPU works to establish democracy, peace and cooperation among peoples.
Representative Democracy
A strong and efficient parliament is critical to democracy. IPU works to make parliaments more effective in fulfilling their government oversight and legislative roles, in guaranteeing people’s rights and liberties and in securing peace and development.
Women in Politics
Democracy means all voices are heard. IPU is committed to ensuring that women - half of the world’s population - are able to participate equally in politics. Its unique research and data on women’s political participation is a widely used barometer on progress.
International Peace and Security
IPU’s primary goals are peace and democracy. It gives special priority to preventing and eliminating conflict through political dialogue. It responds to crises which affect world or regional security and monitors certain conflict situations.
Promoting Human Rights
Parliament has a special responsibility to ensure human rights are respected. IPU provides protection and redress to MPs at risk of abuse and helps parliaments to make human rights a reality for everyone.
Sustainable Development
Parliaments play a critical role in social and economic development. IPU supports parliaments on key international development goals, on making development aid more effective and on strengthening parliamentary action on climate change.
Cooperation with the UN
IPU works closely with the United Nations and other multi-lateral bodies to ensure there is a parliamentary dimension to international cooperation, global governance as well as in the resolution of major international issues.
Key Events
IPU brings together parliamentarians from around the world to actively find solutions to global and regional problems.
You can find a list of Future Events here.
