Region: Global Issues

A Taliban security personnel gestures as women stand in a queue outside the passport office in Herat. Mohsen KARIMI / AFP

Statement by IPU on Taliban’s repressive new law against women in Afghanistan

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), on behalf of the global parliamentary community, vehemently condemns the new “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law issued by the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan on 21 August 2024. The law adds to the litany of unacceptable limitations to women’s rights and freedoms in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover three […]

Stanley Mutale, a student at Kafue College of Nursing, poses for a portrait at the Shikoswe Health Centre in Kafue, Zambia © Michael Candelori / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP

IPU responds to the health needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations

In a collaborative effort, the IPU and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) have conducted a study aimed at enhancing the capacities of national parliaments to address the health needs of vulnerable and marginalized women, children and adolescents. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches and the necessity for continuous monitoring […]

The President of the Board of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU is currently Dan Carden MP of the House of Commons

IPU looks at who are the youngest (and oldest) parliamentarians in world?

As elections unfold throughout this super election year, much of the discussion has revolved around the advanced age of some candidates running for office. However, what about the younger voices that are adding fresh perspectives and energy to the political arena? The IPU has been meticulously tracking the average age of parliamentarians at national, regional […]

©IPU

Artificial intelligence: Draft IPU resolution and “use cases” for AI in parliaments published

When ChatGPT was launched in 2022, the world crossed a new frontier in technological advancement. With the development and deployment of large language models, a new chapter opened in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). This presented an opportunity for parliaments to explore ways to close the gap between technological advancements and the pace of […]

Welcome letter to new and returning BGIPU members following the general election

Following the opening on the new UK Parliament on 17 July 2024, the BGIPU Director wrote on 22 July 2024 to welcome all new and returning members of the House of Commons and confirmed general arrangements for membership of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) covering all members of both Houses.  His letter […]

An anti-FGM protester holds a placard outside the National Assembly in Banjul © MUHAMADOU BITTAYE / AFP

IPU welcomes Gambia’s decision to uphold female genital mutilation (FGM) ban

The Inter-Parliamentary Union welcomes the Parliament of Gambia’s recent vote to uphold a 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), rejecting a controversial bill seeking to reverse the law. On July 15 parliamentarians voted down the proposed law following months of public debate and advocacy efforts. IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, who had been vocal in his […]

The Parliamentary Forum at 2024's HLPF ©IPU

IPU Forum at UN highlights parliamentary role in tackling global goals

This week, the IPU convened dozens of parliamentarians from around the world for its annual meeting at the High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations Office in New York. New countries attending included, for the first time, representatives of the China’s National People’s Congress, underscoring the growing relevance of this event […]

Nawal El Moutawakel was also a torch-bearer for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens/ AFP

Going for gold: IPU highlights the contributions of five parliamentary Olympians

Excelling as a world-class athlete and performing parliamentary work both require determination, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. As we count down to the Paris 2024 Olympics, let’s meet five trailblazers who succeeded in both arenas. 1. Sebastian Coe – United Kingdom Sebastian Coe is a former middle-distance runner who won four Olympic medals, including […]

Participants attend a workshop in Mogadishu, Somalia, aimed at enhancing youth political participation ©AMISOM / Ilyas Ahmed 2016

IPU knows sustainable conflict prevention requires input from tomorrow’s leaders

United Nations Security Council resolution 2250 (2015) on youth, peace, and security unanimously adopted in December 2015, recognized the essential role young people play in promoting and maintaining peace and security. The resolution urged Member States to increase inclusive representation of youth in decision-making at all levels, and in institutions and mechanisms to prevent and […]

UK and French flags Riccardo Milani / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP

Gender equality highs and lows: a tale of two parliamentary elections from IPU

Following an intense week of elections, the IPU’s two founding members, France and the United Kingdom, have just completed their parliamentary elections. How have both parliaments fared in terms of gender equality? How do they compare to previous chambers and the IPU’s global average of women in parliament which stood at 26.9% before these latest […]