The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
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 parliaments
Throughout the year, the IPU and its Members organize many events for parliamentarians to exchange good practices, acquire the latest information and identify avenues for action.
The IPU has been collecting data on parliaments since its inception in 1889, including information on women’s participation in politics since 1945. In this section, discover the IPU's knowledge bank for and about parliaments.
The Fifth Expert Roundtable on the Common Principles for Support to Parliaments will take place on 28 March 2024 at the CICG in Geneva, immediately following the 148th IPU Assembly. Its theme is: The Common Principles at ten years: Charting the next decade of parliamentary self-development.
Ten years after the adoption of the Common Principles, the Expert Roundtable will bring together parliaments and support partners to emphasize that parliaments’ development in the years ahead belongs to them and to identify ways to ensure that it is resilient to future crises. Participants will reflect on the present state of parliamentary development, anticipate future trends to navigate, and help identify new tools and products for the parliamentary development community. It will also be an occasion to exchange ideas on how to celebrate the ten-year anniversary.