Region: Global Issues

Religious leaders were invited to the New Zealand Parliament after the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019. © VNP/Daniela Maoate-Cox

New IPU report explores the place of religion and belief in parliament

For the first time, the IPU has published a report which examines how parliaments around the world engage with issues of religion and belief. The IPU Parliamentary report on religion and belief explores how religion and belief are institutionalized in parliaments; for example, through legislation, representation, parliamentary committees and mechanisms for consultation with faith-based organizations or the […]

© New Zealand Parliament

International Day of Parliamentarism celebrated 30 June every year

The International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated every year on 30 June, the date in 1889 on which the IPU was founded. The Day was established in 2018 through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution. Instituting an international day for parliaments is particularly important at this critical time for parliamentary democracy, when people are losing trust […]

© Romy Arroyo Fernandez / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP

IPU identifies three ways you can decarbonize your parliament

The planet is heating up – fast. According to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, “keeping warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels requires deep, rapid and sustained greenhouse gas emissions reductions in all sectors. Emissions should be decreasing by now […]

© ROBERT PALOMBA

The IPCC’s 6th world warning. What does it mean for parliamentarians?

The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report is sobering reading- and should galvanize action around the world. Parliamentarians are on the frontline.  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. It gives regular updates on a sliding scale of scenarios for our global habitat, informed […]

What impact did the IPU have in 2022? Read the recent Impact Report to find out more

2022 was the first year of the implementation of the five-year IPU Strategy for 2022-2026. Through its five objectives, the Strategy has given the IPU a renewed mandate to continue strengthening and connecting parliaments for peace, democracy and sustainable development. In this newly structured Impact Report, we demonstrate how, throughout the year, the IPU has […]

Koutoubia Mosque is just outside of the Marrakesh medina walls, a short walk from Djemaa El Fna square.

Registration opens for Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue

The Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue: Working together for our common future will take place from 13 to 15 June 2023 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Conference is organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco in cooperation with Religions for Peace,  and with the support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and […]

IPU working to bring fresh momentum to peace and security treaties

Renewed IPU efforts and advocacy have brought new ratifications to international treaties on peace and security, including both the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).  The ratification of such treaties does not necessarily bring instantaneous peace, but it helps to build trust and can create its own momentum. The treaties […]

Dan Carden and Cynthia López Castro

IPU elects new Presidents of young MPs and women MPs at 146th Assembly

At the 146th IPU Assembly in Manama, Bahrain, IPU Members voted in new Presidents of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians and the Board of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians. Both Presidents were elected for two-year terms. They will also serve as Ex Officio Members of the IPU Executive Committee. Ms. Cynthia López Castro from Mexico becomes […]