Activities: IPU Activities & Conferences

A super election year in 2024 provides the IPU with challenges and opportunities

According to the latest data compiled by the IPU on its data platform, Parline, 72 elections or renewals of parliamentary chambers will take place this year, compared to 65 last year. Among those, 55 parliamentary chambers will be directly elected while the others will be indirectly elected or appointed. Roughly half the world’s population is expected to […]

The President of the Transitional National Assembly, Jean-François Ndongou and IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong.

IPU supporting efforts for a return to constitutional order in Gabon as SG visits

Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General, has just concluded a mission to Gabon at the invitation of the President of the Transitional National Assembly, Jean-François Ndongou, to meet the authorities in charge of the country’s transition. The visit is part of the IPU’s wider efforts to monitor developments in trouble spots, to defend democratic institutions and […]

The AI workshops will also inform a forthcoming IPU resolution The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Parliaments and AI: IPU ensuring parliamentarians are going beyond the buzz

Huge strides in artificial intelligence (AI) have dominated the headlines these past few months. But beyond the buzz, what are the risks but also the opportunities when it comes to democracy, human rights and the rule of law? Will AI be the great disrupter of elections in 2024 with more than half the world’s population going to the polls? […]

IPU 2023

Human Rights of MPs: Some success stories from IPU efforts despite uptick in abuse

A few days before Human Rights Day on 10 December, the IPU has released its annual map of the number of reported cases of human rights violations suffered by parliamentarians around the world. Although the numbers continue to rise, there have been positive developments in some countries, partly due to actions by the Committee on the Human Rights […]

Xiye Bastida, indigenous climate activist, addresses the IPU global parliamentary community at COP28. ©IPU/ Parliament of the United Arab Emirates

COP28: Parliaments take centre stage to accelerate climate action

Parliaments were in the spotlight on 6 December 2023 in Dubai at COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference, at a day of parliamentary meetings organized by the IPU and the Federal National Council (FNC), the Parliament of the United Arab Emirates. The meeting was attended by over 500 parliamentarians, including dozens of Speakers, from some 60 countries, […]

Ms. Ackson said: “I feel happy that the first IPU event that I am opening as IPU President is for African parliaments, covering a vital issue requiring urgent attention for women, gender equality and democracy at large.

Eliminating violence against women in Africa: Ackson opens first event as IPU President

As part of her three-day visit to IPU Headquarters, newly elected IPU President Tulia Ackson spoke at a webinar on violence against women in African parliaments, organized by the IPU in partnership with the African Parliamentary Union (APU). The webinar was held in the lead-up to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on […]

Rafah crossing point where humanitarian aid to enter Gaza as pause starts. Abed Rahim Khatib / Anadolu via AFP.

IPU leadership statement applauding the humanitarian pause to the fighting in Gaza

We applaud the humanitarian pause to the fighting in Gaza and the deal to release Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. We hope the pause will alleviate the immense suffering of the people of Gaza and allow essential food, medicine and other supplies to enter the Gaza Strip. We urge all parties to use this opportunity […]