Release by the House of Commons on 1 April 2020 Parliament should be able to operate ‘virtually’ if the UK ‘is still in the grip of the coronavirus crisis’ at the time the House is due to return on 21 April, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has insisted. MPs should still be able to take part […]
Parliaments are currently subject to the same public health and social distancing measures as schools, places of worship or businesses. Yet, in a time of crisis, the role of parliament is more vital than ever to pass emergency laws, allocate resources and scrutinize government action. So how can parliaments continue to function in a time […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic shuts or slows down vast swathes of global activity, how are parliaments facilitating the implementation of the emergency health measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)? What impact is physical distancing and confinement having on the way parliaments function? How can parliaments debate, pass legislation and scrutinize the actions of […]
Watch the two short IPU videos on SDG 5 “Gender Equality”. The first looks at how you can take concrete actions to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership, particularly in parliaments. The second short video for parliamentarians on UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 also celebrates Women’s History Month. This year […]
The IPU stands in solidarity with its Member Parliaments, partners and friends in the face of the coronavirus health emergency. We wish all those affected personally a speedy recovery and much strength in the coming weeks. The IPU also expresses its deepest gratitude to all the health professionals, nurses, doctors, food service workers, and all […]
In line with the latest Government advice and guidance from Public Health England, all visitor access to the Parliamentary Estate ceased from 17 March 2020 with access be restricted to official passholders and those on essential Parliamentary business. For full details read below and check for updates. Decision by Speakers of both Houses This decision, […]
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IPU will be working differently over the next few weeks to protect the health of our staff and in the interests of social responsibility to prevent the further spread of the virus through human contact. The IPU will temporarily reduce its physical presence in its Geneva and New […]
The IPU Assembly and related meetings, due to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 16-20 April has been cancelled. This decision has been taken in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and follows a careful risk assessment based on information provided by the World Health Organization and the Swiss authorities. This exceptional measure aims to contribute […]
The Annual General Meeting of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was convened on Wednesday 4 March in the IPU Room at the Palace of Westminster to adopt the 2019 Annual Report and elect the Executive Committee for 2020. It was originally scheduled for November 2019 but was deferred due to the December 2019 […]
The IPU has just published Putting parliamentary self-development into practice: Guide to the Common Principles for Support to Parliaments. As the global organization of national parliaments, one of the IPU’s core functions is to strengthen parliaments. The Common Principles set out a basis for support to parliaments by providing a development framework for the work […]
