Region: Global Issues

Secretary-General, Mrs Jeanette Emberson during a parliament virtual hybrid sitting in 2021. Copyright: Parliament of Fiji

Parliaments after the pandemic highlighted in new IPU e-Parliament Report

The IPU’s newly released World e-Parliament Report 2022 shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation in parliaments and made them more flexible, innovative and resilient. This seventh edition of the report is based on a survey of 123 parliamentary chambers as well as findings from focus groups involving 37 parliaments. The report was also made […]

Closing of the 145th IPU Assembly in Rwanda, October 2022

As 2022 closes President and Secretary General see a new breath of life at the IPU

End of year message from IPU leadership 2022 saw the first year of the implementation of our new 5-year strategy. The Strategy gives us a renewed mandate to continue strengthening and connecting parliaments for peace, democracy and sustainable development. Climate action takes centre stage It opens up new avenues for the IPU to support parliaments in other […]

© UN Women/Amanda Voisard

First UN General Assembly resolution on role of parliaments in implementing the SDGs

In a historic first, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution highlighting the critical role of parliaments in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The resolution demonstrates a United Nations growing more open to cooperation with parliaments to advance the international agenda. The resolution entitled Enhancing the role of parliaments in accelerating the implementation […]

Darfur © WHO/Lindsay Mackenzie

Ensuring universal health coverage: New IPU/WHO resource for parliamentarians

The IPU and the World Health Organization (WHO) have produced a handbook on universal health coverage (UHC) intended to help parliaments fulfil their roles as enablers of UHC. The worst of the Covid-19 pandemic may be over, but health systems around the world are still buckling under the strain. Ensuring everybody has access to quality health care […]

The IPU has released its annual global snapshot of the situation of threatened parliamentarians. A record number of 739 parliamentarians from 44 countries all over the world suffered violations of their fundamental rights this year.

IPU snapshot shows MPs in danger all over the world – but some good news too

On the eve of Human Rights Day, the IPU has released its annual global snapshot of the situation of threatened parliamentarians. A record number of 739 parliamentarians from 44 countries all over the world suffered violations of their fundamental rights this year. The 2022 figures represent an increase of nearly 10% compared to 2021 (673 MPs in 44 countries). They confirm a […]

CERN, Geneva

IPU and CERN launch the Science for Peace Schools for parliamentary staff

The Science for Peace Schools is a new pilot annual training scheme for parliamentary staff designed to bridge the worlds of science and politics. Launched by the IPU and the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), the first edition or School will take place from 5-10 December. The objective of the School is to create a […]

©Illya Khokhlov/Tu Foto Con El Presidente/U.S Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia

From pitch to parliament: how four leading footballers became parliamentarians

George Weah, Liberia The Liberian footballer-turned-president was named African, European and World player of the year in 1995, becoming the first and only African player to win the latter two awards while representing his country internationally. Weah began his career with a three-year semi-professional contract at Cameroonian club Tonnerre of Yaoundé, before signing with French first division […]

Rally in Paris, France © SERGE TENANI / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP

Violence against women parliamentarians: Causes, effects, solutions

Women account for just over 26% of parliamentarians worldwide according to the IPU’s latest figures. Despite progress made in recent years, significant obstacles continue to block their path to parity with their male counterparts. One of the biggest obstacles is sexism, harassment and gender-based violence. IPU reports show that sexist abuse persists across all parliaments in all […]