Inter-Parliamentary Union | For democracy. For everyone. The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world. We help strengthen parliaments to make them more effective and representative.
What is the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (IPU)?
The Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments is a consultative body of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The IPU Assembly (formerly known as the Inter-Parliamentary Conference) is the principal statutory body that expresses the views of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on political issues.
When did the IPU start collecting data on parliaments?
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.
When was the First IPU meeting held?
Gathered in Paris to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the first meeting of the IPU on 29 and 30 June 1889, the French and British Groups of the IPU reaffirm in the following statement their commitment to the IPU.
What happened at the 141st IPU Assembly?
At the 141st IPU Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia, IPU Member Parliaments condemned human rights violations against a record number of new cases of abused MPs. Watch how IPU members around the world celebrated the IPU’s milestone anniversary.
How many countries are members of the IPU?
Initially, IPU membership was reserved for individual parliamentarians, but has since transformed to include the legislatures of sovereign states. As of 2020, the national parliaments of 179 countries are members of the IPU, while 13 regional parliamentary assemblies are associate members.
