- ImpactWe help parliaments to become greener and to implement the Paris agreement.We support democracy by strengthening parliamentsWe work to increase women’s representation in parliament and empower women MPs.We defend the human rights of parliamentarians and help them uphold the rights of all.We help parliaments fight terrorism, cyber warfare and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.We encourage youth participation in parliaments and empower young MPs.We support parliaments in implementing the SDGs with a particular focus on health and climate change.
- Parliaments
Nearly every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 190 national parliaments in the world, 78 are bicameral (156 chambers) and 112 are unicameral, making a total of 268 chambers of parliament with some 44,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 180 national parliamentsFind a national parliament
The Swiss National Council © The Swiss Parliament
We help strengthen parliaments to make them more representative and effective.. - Knowledge
Discover the IPU's resources
Our library of essential resources for parliamentsGlobal data for and about national parliamentsLatest data and reports about women in parliamentResolutions, declarations and outcomes adopted by IPU MembersRecent innovations in the way parliaments workThe latest climate change legislation from the London School of Economics' database
Parliaments in a time of pandemic
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? What impact is physical distancing and confinement having on the way parliaments function? How can parliaments debate, pass legislation and scrutinize the actions of government?
Discover our resources for parliaments below. Over the next few weeks, we will be adding more thematic content to help parliaments in a time of pandemic.
- What measures are parliaments taking? Country by country, discover our compilation of parliamentary responses to the pandemic.
- How can a parliament continue to function during the crisis? Discover our practical Q and A on remote working tools and technology.
- Guidance on how parliaments can ensure that government interventions in the COVID-19 crisis take into account a gender dimension.
- Guidance on how parliaments can ensure that government interventions in the COVID-19 crisis are consonant with human rights.
- Watch a two-minute video to discover how parliaments and parliamentarians have responded to the pandemic.
- Legislating in times of pandemic, an opinion piece by Laura Rojas, Speaker of Mexican Chamber of Deputies.
Let us know how your parliament and parliamentarians are responding to the pandemic by writing to [email protected] or you can complete our 5-minute online survey Parliamentary working methods during the coronavirus crisis.
