Region: Global Issues

United Nations Trustee Council Chamber ©kaspersalto

IPU Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations to focus on the SDGs

Scaling up action for the Sustainable Development Goals: Finance, Institutions, and Politics, will be the theme of the 2025 Parliamentary Hearing, a joint initiative of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). IPU President Tulia Ackson and UNGA President Philemon Yang will host some 300 participants, including parliamentarians, Speakers of Parliament, […]

New IPU toolkit to empower parliaments to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals

The IPU has published a new toolkit to encourage parliaments and policymakers worldwide to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their functions and legislative efforts in a comprehensive manner. The toolkit, SDG-informed legislative scrutiny, helps parliaments to translate the SDGs into national laws, to hold governments accountable for the implementation of the goals and to align budgets with […]

Deir al-Balah in Gaza on 16 January 2025 ©Eyad Baba / AFP

IPU leadership issues statement welcoming the Gaza ceasefire deal

On behalf of the global parliamentary community, we welcome the announcement of a deal to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. This is a significant breakthrough towards ending the bloodshed and relieving suffering on both sides. We urge all parties to fully commit to implementing this deal for the benefit of […]

Martin Chungong has dedicated his career to promoting democracy, building peace and advancing gender equality.

IPU SG Martin Chungong honoured with Vital Voices Solidarity Award

Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has received one of this year’s Vital Voices Solidarity Awards, an awards programme that recognizes remarkable male advocates of gender equality. The award was presented by Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, at a ceremony hosted by fashion designer Diane von […]

The IPU has published resources to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of AI while mitigating the risks of this rapidly evolving technology.

New IPU tools to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in parliament

The IPU has published two new resources to help parliaments unlock the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their efficiency, effectiveness and productivity while mitigating the risks of this rapidly evolving technology. The Guidelines for AI in parliament offer a comprehensive framework for parliaments to understand and implement AI responsibly and effectively. They provide practical guidance on […]

IPU President, Tulia Ackson speaks about the scourge of violence against women and girls

To protect democracy, we must eliminate violence against women in politics

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women serves as a stark reminder that too many women and girls continue to be the targets of gender-based violence, both online and offline. This viciousness endangers lives, hinders rights and freedoms, and harms human dignity. It also undermines our democracies. The IPU has been warning […]

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong and IPU President Tulia Ackson launch the 2024 World e-Parliament Report to the 149th Assembly in Geneva in October.

IPU makes clear that parliaments must modernize their digital technologies

For those that wish to protect parliamentary democracy, accelerating the digital transformation will be vital. Unfortunately, however, as the IPU’s 2024 World e-Parliament Report makes clear, a digital divide is fast emerging. On the one hand, modern parliaments use new technologies to speed up their work and connect with their constituencies. On the other hand, many parliaments, […]

The BGIPU delegation meets counterparts from the Republic of Korea at COP29 in Baku

Global MPs commit to support governments in stronger climate action at COP29

In a year marked by record heatwaves, devastating floods and intense storms, fuelled by global heating, parliamentarians from around the world gathered on 16 and 17 November 2024 for the Parliamentary Meeting at COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Organized by the IPU and the Milli Majlis, the Parliament of Azerbaijan, the Meeting brought […]