The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is marking a major milestone this year: the 50th anniversary of its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, a unique international body which has spent the past five decades defending lawmakers in danger around the world. According to IPU figures, more than 1,000 parliamentarians suffered human rights abuses in 2025, a record high […]
For the first time in over a decade, global youth representation in parliaments has shown no progress, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) biennial report, Youth participation in national parliaments. The findings come amid growing demands from young people for a greater say in political decisions. The new IPU report reveals that the proportion of members […]
The Inter-Parliamentary Union has concluded its Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization (WTO) which took place at the Senate of Cameroon, on the eve of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). The Parliamentary Conference on the WTO is co-organized by the IPU and the European Parliament. It brings together legislators from all regions to shape ministerial […]
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will elect its ninth Secretary General at the 152nd IPU Assembly, which will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye from 15 to 19 April 2026. The Secretary General serves as the Chief Executive of the Organization, overseeing the management of the Secretariat and reporting directly to the IPU Governing Council. Together with the President, the […]
Women constitute about 52% of Bhutan’s population, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in its Parliament. While Bhutan’s Constitution is grounded in the principle of equity, and progress has been made in women’s participation in local government and public services, their representation in Parliament has declined in recent years. The IPU report Women in parliament: 1995-2025, highlighted […]
The Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) will convene its 152nd Assembly in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 15 to 19 April 2026. Hosted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the overall theme of the event is Nurturing hope, securing peace and ensuring justice for future generations. Against a backdrop of unfolding and ongoing wars, with severe humanitarian consequences, in […]
From Monday 16 March to Thursday 19 March BGIPU welcomed a visit to London by a delegation from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The delegation was led by Lesia Vasylenko MP, Chair of the UK Friendship Group in the Verkhovna Rada, who was joined by Yehor Cherniev MP, Andrii Zhupanyn MP, Larysa Bilozir MP, Iryna […]
New Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) – UN Women data shows women remain far from having equal political power, holding just 22.4% of cabinet posts and 27.5% of parliamentary seats worldwide. Across the world, women remain vastly under-represented in political leadership, with the most powerful decisions still overwhelmingly made by men. In 2026, only 28 countries are led by […]
As of 1 January 2026, women hold 27.5% of national parliamentary seats worldwide, up modestly from 27.2% in 2025, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) report Women in parliament 2025. This 0.3 percentage point increase matches 2024’s rate, marking the slowest growth since 2017 for the second consecutive year. The report is based on IPU data […]
Following a very successful delegation to the UK from the Parliament of Moldova in November 2024 and a brief fact-finding visit by Anneliese Dodds and John Whittingdale last September, this outward delegation to Moldova and then onto Romania from 1 to 5 March 2026 was much anticipated. The delegation was very balanced and harmonious. I […]
