Region: Global Issues

Ms. N. Abu Ghosh, President of IPU's Bureau of Young MPs

IPU and Women and Youth Democratic Engagement partners celebrate International Youth Day

On 12 August, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) celebrated International Youth Day by organizing a webinar for members of parliament and international partners that would highlight new tools and initiatives aimed at empowering young parliamentarians. The focus was on enhancing gender equality through efforts that promoted youth empowerment in politics. The event emphasized peer learning, international […]

The IPU Secretary General signs agreements with Mongolia and Zambia.

IPU strengthens global parliamentary ties with new cooperation agreements

On the sidelines of the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament and the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held last week in Geneva, the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Martin Chungong, signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Parliaments of Zambia, Chad and Mongolia, reinforcing the IPU’s […]

The conference was attended by 102 Speakers and more than 120 Parliaments were represented

World Conference of Speakers of Parliament calls for renewed global unity amid rising crises

Parliamentary leaders from some 120 countries gathered at the United Nations Office at Geneva for the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, a summit convened every five years by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in partnership with the United Nations (UN). The Conference, regarded as the world’s top parliamentary forum, was held from 29 to 31 July 2025. […]

© IPU

Women parliamentary leaders unite in Geneva for gender equality and peace

The 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament drew more than 330 participants from 37 countries, including 30 Women Speakers. Organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in partnership with the Swiss Parliament, the event coincided with several key milestones in the global push for gender equality. The Summit was an opportunity to refocus attention on gender equality as […]

The Executive Committee celebrates the 136th IPU anniversary at the International Olympic Academy.

IPU celebrates 136 years of inter-parliamentary dialogue in Greece

As part of celebrations taking place around the world, the IPU marked International Day of Parliamentarism and the Organization’s 136th anniversary at a special event in Ancient Olympia, Greece. Hosted by Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, a member of the Hellenic Parliament and the IPU Executive Committee, the anniversary gathering brought together IPU Executive Committee members, Greek parliamentarians and local […]

©Senate of Chile

IPU pays tribute to former IPU President, Sergio Páez 1933-2025

The IPU regrets to announce that Mr. Sergio Páez, former President of the IPU and a distinguished Chilean parliamentarian, died on 2 July 2025 at the age of 92, after a long illness. Sergio Páez served as IPU President from 2002 to 2005. During his tenure, he displayed a strong dedication to strengthening parliamentary democracy, […]

Discover the IPU's 136-year history in (just over) 136 seconds.

Learn more about the 136 years history of the IPU in 136 seconds

On 30 June 1889, visionary parliamentarians Frédéric Passy of France and William Randall Cremer of the United Kingdom brought together MPs from Belgium, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Liberia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the USA in the first inter-parliamentary meeting in Paris, France. The Inter-Parliamentary Conference, later to become the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was born. […]

© IPU

Global MP poll reveals enduring optimism amid growing concerns about democracy

On the eve of International Day of Parliamentarism and the Organization’s 136th anniversary on 30 June, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has released the results of its annual parliamentarians’ perceptions poll. The results provide a comprehensive snapshot of the views, motivations and concerns of the global parliamentary community. The poll, conducted online from 5 to 13 […]

UK Delegation Lord Lemos, Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, Alex Sobel MP and Baroness Uddin. at the Italian Chamber of Deputies

Parliamentarians worldwide unite in Rome to champion interfaith dialogue

Parliamentarians and religious leaders from around the world have issued a powerful call for peace, hope and solidarity at the conclusion of the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue: Strengthening trust and embracing hope for our common future. The event, jointly organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliament of Italy with support from Religions for […]

Drawing on key informant interviews, submissions from parliaments and contributions from religious leaders and global experts, the report highlights good practices and lessons learned from parliaments around the world.

New IPU report highlights good parliamentary practices on religion and belief

The IPU has released the second part of its groundbreaking Parliamentary report on religion and belief. Part 2 of the report, Engagement with religion and belief by parliamentarians underscores the vital role of MPs in fostering peaceful, just and inclusive societies. It explores how engagement with religion and belief can strengthen the rule of law, uphold human […]