Theme: Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation

The Ambassador explained that the UK intends to support Tunisia’s political reform to maintain and build on the gains won in 2011. Political freedom and democracy remain key political priorities for the UK.

Timely update on Tunisia from UK Ambassador for interested MPs/Peers

On 3 February, BGIPU hosted a virtual briefing with the British Ambassador to Tunisia, HMA Helen Winterton. Damien Moore MP, member of the BGIPU Executive Committee and Chair of the Tunisia APPG, hosted the briefing. Tunisia was initially hailed as a democratic success after the Arab Spring in 2011. However, years of political wrangling revealed […]

The delegation was led by Mr Hubert Julien-Laferrière, a National Assembly Member, and he was accompanied by two senators, Mr Didier Marie and Mr Louis Jean de Nicolay pictured here with Tim Loughton MP during a tour of UK Parliament.

After 2 years, BGIPU’s bilateral visits resume welcoming a delegation from France

On 1-2 February 2022, BGIPU hosted a delegation of three parliamentarians from France. The visit had the purpose of enhancing parliamentary relations between the two founding countries of the IPU. It was the first inward delegation BGIPU has hosted in Parliament since the pandemic, and it was significant that the first visit was our closet neighbour […]

SERGEY BOBOK / AFP

IPU statement in respect of current developments on borders of Ukraine

We, the IPU President and the IPU Secretary General, call for renewed dialogue between the Russian Federation and Ukraine to ease tensions in the region. We call for respect of internationally (UN) recognized borders and territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States. The IPU was founded by parliamentarians who believed in the power of dialogue […]

IPU SG Martin Chungong hosted a dozen MPs visiting from Denmark, Finland and Sweden on 27-28 January to learn more about the IPU’s work led by Ms. Cecilia Widegren, Head of the Swedish Delegation of the IPU.

IPU facilitates discussions between Nordic MPs and World Health Organisation

The IPU opened its doors to its first 2022 in-person delegation of parliamentarians with a dozen MPs visiting from Denmark, Finland and Sweden on 27-28 January to learn more about the IPU’s work.  Led by Ms. Cecilia Widegren, Head of the Swedish Delegation, Mr. Søren Søndergaard, Chair of the Danish delegation and Ms. Heli Järvinen, Head […]

The IPU calls for a swift return to constitutional order with respect for the rule of law and democratically elected institutions. 

IPU gravely concerned by reports of military coup in Burkina Faso

The IPU expresses grave concern over reports of a military coup in Burkina Faso with the arrests of President Kabore, the Speaker of Parliament and other government officials as well as news of the dissolution of the National Assembly. The IPU calls for a swift return to constitutional order with respect for the rule of law and democratically elected institutions. Gunfire and violence on […]

Named after the two IPU founders, Frédéric Passy and Sir William Randal Cremer, this annual award will be given to a parliamentarian who has made an exceptional contribution as an MP.

IPU announces prize for MP of the year: The new Cremer-Passy Award

The IPU is pleased to announce a new prize: the Cremer-Passy prize. The prize will be awarded annually to an MP or MPs whose exceptional actions contributes to a more united, fair, secure, sustainable and equitable future. Named after the two IPU founders, Frédéric Passy and Sir William Randal Cremer, this annual award will be given to a parliamentarian […]

As President and Secretary General, we reiterate our commitment to mobilizing parliaments worldwide toward a fairer, more inclusive and egalitarian future.

IPU’s end of year statement on 2021: A year when attacks on democracy intensified

End-of-year statement by President Duarte Pacheco and Secretary General Martin Chungong. 2021 bore witness to several assaults on democracy, starting with what many saw as one of its bastions – the US Congress. Then Myanmar suffered a bloody military coup which unravelled in an instant nearly a decade of democratic progress led by its elected […]

In Spring 2021, the IPU launched the I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament! campaign. It calls for action in and through parliaments to have more young women and men MPs.

IPU’s “I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament!” campaign goes global

Just over ten years ago, IPU Member Parliaments adopted a landmark resolution on youth participation to encourage the rejuvenation of parliaments. Since then, parliaments from around the world have made some limited progress in its implementation. However, the level of youth representation in parliament, as measured regularly by the IPU, remains low. Half the world’s population is […]

Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint. © EyePress via AFP

Political instability accounts for record number of persecuted MPs worldwide

The IPU has recorded another all-time high number of parliamentarians suffering from alleged human rights violations according to its annual figures released on the eve of Human Rights Day. The data reveal that at least 673 parliamentarians from 44 countries are under threat, most of them in countries experiencing political instability. The 2021 numbers confirm a consistent increase since 2014 […]