IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong visited Colombia and Costa Rica in March 2025 as part of broader efforts to better understand and engage with Latin American Member Parliaments, and to encourage their active participation in the work of the IPU. Colombia In Colombia, Mr. Chungong met key parliamentary figures, including Mr. Efraín Cepeda (President of […]
On a warm summer’s day in 1889, a historic gathering took place in the heart of Paris, France. On 30 June, a group of parliamentarians from nine countries convened at the Hotel Continental for the very first Inter-Parliamentary Conference. Among the 94 delegates present were representatives from Belgium, Britain, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Liberia, Spain, […]
A major new study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in partnership with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), has exposed the pervasive nature of sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments across the Asia-Pacific region. The report, Sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments in the Asia-Pacific region, is […]
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will hold its 150th Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 5 to 9 April 2025, hosted by the Parliament of Uzbekistan. The overall theme Parliamentary action for social development and justice will cover topics such as eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, fostering social inclusion, and increasing the participation of marginalized groups in decision-making. Key […]
The IPU concluded its Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians, held on 14 and 15 March 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico, emphasizing the urgent need for gender parity in parliaments worldwide. The Conference, attended by some 380 parliamentarians from 56 countries, as well as representatives from the Government of Mexico, international organizations and civil society, highlighted successful […]
New data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women reveals limited progress in achieving gender equality in political leadership at the start of 2025, the year which marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the landmark UN framework which set out the roadmap for gender equality and women’s rights. […]
As we mark International Women’s Day 2025 and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights, Equality Now, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UN Women are calling for expedited action to end gender discrimination in nationality laws and recommit to efforts to achieve gender-equal nationality rights around the […]
A new IPU report analysing three decades of women in national parliaments reveals that the percentage of seats held by women has risen from 11.3% in 1995 to 27.2% in 2025. The IPU report Women in parliament 1995-2025 commemorates 30 years since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the landmark UN framework which set out […]
BGIPU had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from the Parliament of the Republic of Albania from Monday 24 February to Tuesday 25 February. The delegation was led by Mr Lavdrim Krashi, Chair of the Albania-UK Friendship group and was comprised of Jorida Tabaku, Pandeli Majko, Pranvera Resulaj and Bledjon Nallbati. They were accompanied by […]
A BGIPU cross party delegation visit to Indonesia took place during the February recess between 15 and 21 February with representatives from both Houses of Parliament. As delegation leader I was joined by John Slinger MP, Chris Webb MP, Graham Stuart MP, Baroness Northover, Lord Rennard and Joe Perry from the BGIPU secretariat. The key […]
