Theme: Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation

Jamaica rejoins the IPU at the 149th Assembly in Geneva © IPU

On the occasion of the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, Jamaica rejoins the IPU

At the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, the IPU welcomed back the Parliament of Jamaica as its 181st Member Parliament, bringing the Organization one step closer to universal membership. Jamaica had previously been a member of the IPU from 1983 to 1996. President of the Senate, Mr. Thomas Tavares-Finson, said: “We are convinced that renewing our […]

Beirut’s southern suburb on 28 September 2024. ©Fadel ITANI / AFP

Inter-Parliamentary Union intensifies diplomatic efforts for the Middle East

In a month that marks the one-year anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel and the start of the subsequent war in Gaza, and now the wider region, the IPU is redoubling its diplomatic efforts. Last week, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong met with several Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations […]

A polling station in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on June 28, 2024. © Hector RETAMAL / AFP

IPU observes that super election year sees few gains for women MPs so far

The first eight months of 2024 have seen limited progress in women’s representation in parliaments worldwide according to the IPU’s mid-year provisional analysis. With roughly half the world’s population going to the polls in 2024, the year started with high hopes that women’s representation would increase in the lead-up to thirtieth anniversary next year of the Beijing Declaration and […]

The 148th Assembly in March 2024, Geneva. ©IPU

149th IPU Assembly to focus on Artificial Intelligence, science and technology

Hundreds of parliamentarians from around the world will gather in Geneva for the 149th IPU Assembly, taking place from 13-17 October 2024. Under the overarching theme: Harnessing science, technology, and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future, legislators will consider parliamentary action to maximize the benefits, but also mitigate the risks, of new technologies, with a particular focus […]

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

IPU welcomes enhanced role for parliaments in UN Pact for the Future

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) welcomes the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Pact for the Future, a landmark initiative to reboot multilateralism and address 21st-century challenges. The IPU particularly welcomes Action 55 of the Pact, which recognizes the importance of “United Nations engagement with national parliaments in United Nations intergovernmental bodies and processes, in accordance with […]

UK delegation meets State Secretary Latvian MFA, Andzejs Vilumson.

UK delegation to Latvia spotlights strength of relations & support for Ukraine

A small but perfectly formed delegation of myself, John Whittingdale MP, Baroness Ros Scott, John Slinger MP and Joe Perry (IPU) travelled to Latvia between Sunday 15 and Wednesday 18 September for a short but intensive programme. That this was only the second outward IPU delegation of the new Parliament underlines the point made many […]

Delegation with the British Ambassador and their team.

UK delegation to Berlin engage on foreign policy concerns and growing cooperation

This first BGIPU outward visit of the new Parliament saw a small, balanced group of four parliamentarians plus the wonderful Mathilde Ollivo of the BGIPU travel to Berlin for a series of high-level meetings at the Bundestag as well as visits to the Bundesrat, British Embassy and British Council. Given that the Prime Minister and […]