Inter-Parliamentary Union: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|International organization of national parliaments}}
{{Short description|International organization of national parliaments}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| logo = file:New_IPU-e.jpg
| logo                     = Inter-Parliamentary Union logo.png
| status = International organization
| status                   = International organization
| headquarters = [[Geneva, Switzerland|Geneva]], [[Switzerland]]
| headquarters             = [[Geneva, Switzerland|Geneva]], [[Switzerland]]
| leader_title = [[President (corporation)|President]]
| membership              = 183 Members<br />15 Associate Members
| leader_name = [[Duarte Pacheco]]<ref>{{cite web |title=President |url=https://www.ipu.org/about-ipu/structure-and-governance/president |website=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
| leader_title             = [[President (corporation)|President]]
| leader_title2 = [[Secretary General]]
| leader_name             = [[Tulia Ackson]]<ref>{{cite web |title=President |url=https://www.ipu.org/about-ipu/structure-and-governance/president |website=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
| leader_name2 = [[Martin Chungong]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Secretary General |url=https://www.ipu.org/about-ipu/structure-and-governance/secretary-general |website=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
| leader_title2           = [[Secretary General]]
| name = Inter-Parliamentary Union
| leader_name2             = [[Martin Chungong]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Secretary General |url=https://www.ipu.org/about-ipu/structure-and-governance/secretary-general |website=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
| founder = [[Frédéric Passy]],<br /> [[William Randal Cremer]]
| name                     = Inter-Parliamentary Union
| founded = {{start date and age|1889}}
| founder                 = [[Frédéric Passy]],<br /> [[William Randal Cremer]]
| mission = To promote [[democracy]] and inter-parliamentary dialogue
| founded                 = 1889
| website = {{URL|http://www.ipu.org/}}
| website                 = {{URL|http://www.ipu.org/}}
}}
}}
The '''Inter-Parliamentary Union''' ('''IPU'''; {{lang-fr|Union Interparlementaire}}, '''UIP''') is an [[inter-parliamentary institution|international organization of national parliaments.]] Its primary purpose is to promote democratic governance, [[accountability]], and cooperation among its members; other initiatives include advancing gender parity among legislatures, empowering youth participation in politics, and [[sustainable development]].
The '''Inter-Parliamentary Union''' ('''IPU'''; {{langx|fr|Union Interparlementaire}}, '''UIP''') is an [[inter-parliamentary institution|international organization of national parliaments.]]<ref name="UIA">{{Cite web |url=https://uia.org/s/or/en/1100040146 |url-access= |title=Inter-Parliamentary Union |author1=Staff writer |year=2024 |department=UIA Global Civil Society Database |website=uia.org |publisher=[[Union of International Associations]] |agency=Yearbook of International Organizations Online |location=Brussels, Belgium |format= |arxiv= |asin= |bibcode= |doi= |doi-broken-date= |isbn= |issn= |jfm= |jstor= |lccn= |mr= |oclc= |ol= |osti= |pmc= |pmid= |rfc= |ssrn= |zbl= |id= |access-date=24 December 2024 |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |via= |quote= |trans-quote= |ref= |postscript=}}</ref> Its primary purpose is to promote democratic [[governance]], [[accountability]], and cooperation among its members; other initiatives include advancing gender parity among legislatures, empowering [[youth participation]] in politics, and [[sustainable development]].  


The organization was established in 1889 as the '''Inter-Parliamentary Congress'''. Its founders were statesmen [[Frédéric Passy]] of [[France]] and [[William Randal Cremer]] of the [[United Kingdom]], who sought to create the first permanent forum for political multilateral negotiations. Initially, IPU membership was reserved for individual [[Member of Parliament|parliamentarians]], but has since transformed to include the legislatures of sovereign states. As of 2020, the national parliaments of 179 countries are members of the IPU, while 13 regional parliamentary assemblies are associate members.<ref name="Members">{{Cite news|title=Members|language=en|work=Inter-Parliamentary Union|url=https://www.ipu.org/about-us/members|access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Матвиенко избрана председателем ассамблеи Межпарламентского союза|language=ru|work=ТАСС|url=http://tass.ru/politika/4646881|access-date=2017-10-17}}</ref>
The organization was established in 1889 as the '''Inter-Parliamentary Conference'''. Its founders were statesmen [[Frédéric Passy]] of [[France]] and [[William Randal Cremer]] of the [[United Kingdom]], who sought to create the first permanent forum for political multilateral negotiations. Initially, IPU membership was reserved for individual [[Member of Parliament|parliamentarians]], but has since transformed to include the legislatures of sovereign states. As of 2025, the national parliaments of 183 countries are members of the IPU, while 15 are associated members, most of whom are regional parliaments.<ref name="Members">{{Cite news|date=2016-05-13|title=Members|language=en|work=Inter-Parliamentary Union|url=https://www.ipu.org/about-us/members|access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Матвиенко избрана председателем ассамблеи Межпарламентского союза|language=ru|work=ТАСС|url=http://tass.ru/politika/4646881|access-date=2017-10-17}}</ref> Some of the organization's member states are not democratic by indexes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=Freedom in the World |url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world |access-date=2025-10-08 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index 2020 |url=https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2020/ |access-date=2025-10-08 |website=Economist Intelligence Unit |language=en-GB}}</ref>


The IPU facilitates the development of international law and institutions, strengthening the foundations and enhancing the vision for peace and the common good, including the [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]], the [[League of Nations]], and the [[United Nations]]. It also sponsors and takes part in international conferences and forums, and has permanent [[United Nations General Assembly observers#Other entities|observer status at the United Nations General Assembly]]. Consequently, eight individuals associated with the organization are [[List of Nobel Peace Prize laureates|Nobel Peace Prize laureates]].
The IPU facilitates the development of international law and institutions, strengthening the foundations and enhancing the vision for peace and the common good, including the [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]], the [[League of Nations]], and the [[United Nations]]. It also sponsors and takes part in international conferences and forums, and has permanent [[United Nations General Assembly observers#Other entities|observer status at the United Nations General Assembly]]. Consequently, eight individuals associated with the organization are [[List of Nobel Peace Prize laureates|Nobel Peace Prize laureates]].
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===Members===
===Members===
[[File:Inter-Parliamentary Union Members.png|thumb|right|300px|Map of IPU member states]]
[[File:Inter-Parliamentary Union Members.png|thumb|right|300px|Map of IPU member states]]
At its founding on 30 June 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Conference had eight members: Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Liberia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The United States also attended but did not formally adopt the treaty of arbitration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ipu.org/about-ipu/history-ipu|title=History of the IPU|website=Inter-Parliamentary Union}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ipu.org/130years/#1889-1914|title=Inter-Parliamentary Union {{!}} 130 years {{!}} 130 ans|website=Inter-Parliamentary Union}}</ref>
The Inter-Parliamentary Union currently has 183 members.


* Regional parliamentary assemblies  may be admitted by the Governing Council as Associate Members
* Regional parliamentary assemblies  may be admitted by the Governing Council as Associate Members
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It is the duty of the Members of the IPU to submit the resolutions of the IPU within their respective Parliament, in the most appropriate form; to communicate them to the Government; to stimulate their implementation and to inform the IPU Secretariat, as often and fully as possible, particularly in its annual reports, as to the steps taken and the results obtained.
It is the duty of the Members of the IPU to submit the resolutions of the IPU within their respective Parliament, in the most appropriate form; to communicate them to the Government; to stimulate their implementation and to inform the IPU Secretariat, as often and fully as possible, particularly in its annual reports, as to the steps taken and the results obtained.


As it can be seen on the map, mostly all the countries in the world have a parliament member of IPU, with the notable exception of the United States, although the 12th (1904), the 23rd (1925) and the 42nd (1953) conferences were hosted in the US.
Almost all countries have a parliament member of IPU, with the notable exception of the United States, although the 12th (1904), the 23rd (1925) and the 42nd (1953) conferences were hosted in the US.


;Associate Members
;Associate Members
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|[[Andean Community of Nations|CAN]]
|[[Andean Community of Nations|CAN]]
|-
|-
|[[Central American Parliament]]
|[[Arab Parliament]]
|
|-
|[[Central American Parliament]] (PARLCEN)
|[[Central American Integration System|SICA]]
|[[Central American Integration System|SICA]]
|-
|-
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|[[European Union|EU]]  
|[[European Union|EU]]  
|-
|-
|Inter-parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States
|[[CIS Interparliamentary Assembly]]
|[[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]]
|[[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]]
|-
|[[Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eiao.org/archives/999|title=HISTORY OF THE IAO|language=en|access-date=2020-01-07|archive-date=2015-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402134913/http://eiao.org/archives/999|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|none
|-
|-
|Inter-Parliamentary Committee of the West African Economic and Monetary Union
|Inter-Parliamentary Committee of the West African Economic and Monetary Union
|[[West African Economic and Monetary Union|UEMOA]]
|[[West African Economic and Monetary Union|UEMOA]]
|-
|-
|[[Latin American Parliament]]
|[[Latin American Parliament|Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO)]]
|none <ref group=note>Multiple regional organizations in [[Latin America]] such as the [[Rio Group]], [[Latin American Economic System]] and [[Latin American Integration Association]] have similar membership.</ref>
|[[Latin American Parliament|PARLATINO]]
|-
|-
|Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
|[[Pan-African Parliament]]
|[[Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation|BSEC]]
|[[African Union|AU]]
|-
|-
|Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States
|Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States
|[[Economic Community of West African States|ECOWAS]]
|[[Economic Community of West African States|ECOWAS]]
|-
|-
|Parliament of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa
|Parliament of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community
|[[CEMAC]]
|[[CEMAC]]
|-
|-
|[[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]]
|[[Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie|Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie]] (APF)
|[[Organisation internationale de la Francophonie|OIF]]
|-
|[[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] (PACE)
|[[Council of Europe|CoE]]
|[[Council of Europe|CoE]]
|-
|-
|[[Arab Parliament|Transitional Arab Parliament]]
|Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
|[[League of Arab States|AL]]
|[[Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation|BSEC]]
|}
|}


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* '''Assembly.''' Meeting biannually, the Assembly is composed of parliamentarians designated as delegates by the Members. The Assembly is assisted in its work by Standing Committees, whose number and terms of reference are determined by the Governing Council; Standing Committees shall normally prepare reports and draft resolutions for the Assembly. No one delegate may record more than ten votes.
* '''Assembly.''' Meeting biannually, the Assembly is composed of parliamentarians designated as delegates by the Members. The Assembly is assisted in its work by Standing Committees, whose number and terms of reference are determined by the Governing Council; Standing Committees shall normally prepare reports and draft resolutions for the Assembly. No one delegate may record more than ten votes.
* '''Governing Council'''. The Governing Council normally holds two sessions a year. The Governing Council is composed of three representatives from each Member. The term of office of a member of the Governing Council lasts from one Assembly to the next and all the members of the Governing Council must be sitting members of Parliament. The Governing Council elects the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for a period of three years. It also elects the members of the executive committee and appoints the Secretary General of the Union.  
* '''Governing Council'''. The Governing Council normally holds two sessions a year. The Governing Council is composed of three representatives from each Member. The term of office of a member of the Governing Council lasts from one Assembly to the next and all the members of the Governing Council must be sitting members of Parliament. The Governing Council elects the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for a period of three years. It also elects the members of the executive committee and appoints the Secretary General of the Union.
* '''Executive Committee'''. The executive committee is composed of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 15 members belonging to different Parliaments (elected by the Governing Council; not less than 12 are elected from among the members of the Governing Council) and the President of the Coordinating Committee of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians. The fifteen elected seats are assigned to the geopolitical groups. Only parliamentarians from States where women have both the right to vote and the right to stand for election are eligible to the executive committee. The executive committee is the administrative organ of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The current President is [[Gabriela Cuevas Barron]] of [[Mexico]], who was elected to a three-year mandate in October 2017 at the 201st session of the Governing Council of the IPU in Geneva.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Election of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union|url=http://archive.ipu.org/cnl-e/201/15-p1.pdf}}</ref>
* '''Executive Committee'''. The executive committee is composed of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 15 members belonging to different Parliaments (elected by the Governing Council; not less than 12 are elected from among the members of the Governing Council) and the President of the Coordinating Committee of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians. The fifteen elected seats are assigned to the geopolitical groups. Only parliamentarians from States where women have both the right to vote and the right to stand for election are eligible to the executive committee. The executive committee is the administrative organ of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The current President is Dr. Tulia Ackson, Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania and the second woman to hold the position, who was elected in October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Election of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union|url=http://archive.ipu.org/cnl-e/201/15-p1.pdf}}</ref>
* '''Secretariat.''' The Secretariat constitutes the totality of the staff of the organisation under the direction of the Secretary General, currently Martin Chungong of Cameroon.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Secretary General|url=https://www.ipu.org/about-ipu/structure-and-governance/secretary-general|access-date=2020-08-25|website=Inter-Parliamentary Union|language=en}}</ref>
* '''Secretariat.''' The Secretariat constitutes the totality of the staff of the organisation under the direction of the Secretary General, currently Martin Chungong of Cameroon.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Secretary General|url=https://www.ipu.org/about-ipu/structure-and-governance/secretary-general|access-date=2020-08-25|website=Inter-Parliamentary Union|language=en}}</ref>


The Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments is a consultative body of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments is a consultative body of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.


== Conferences ==
== Assemblies ==
[[File:Berlin Plaque Medal 1908 Inter-Parliamentary Union.jpg|thumb|[[Art Nouveau]] [[medal|plaque-medallion]] for the 15th Inter-Parliamentary Conference 1908 in [[Berlin]]]]
[[File:Berlin Plaque Medal 1908 Inter-Parliamentary Union.jpg|thumb|[[Art Nouveau]] [[medal|plaque-medallion]] for the 15th Inter-Parliamentary Conference 1908 in [[Berlin]]]]
The IPU Assembly (formerly known as the Inter-Parliamentary Conference) is the principal statutory body that expresses the views of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on political issues.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/strct-e/lstconf.htm Statutory Assemblies] at IPU official website. Accessed 24 February 2014</ref>
The Assembly is the IPU's main political body through which the IPU's Member Parliaments adopt parliamentary resolutions on global issues. It plays a pivotal role in addressing the issues which threaten peace, democracy and sustainable development, including through its four thematic standing committees. IPU Assemblies are held twice a year either in Geneva or hosted by Member Parliaments.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! # !! Host City!!Host Country !! Year
! # !! Host city!!Host country !! Year
|-
|150th
|[[Tashkent]]
|{{flag|Uzbekistan}}
|2025
|-
|149th
|[[Geneva]]
|{{flag|Switzerland}}
|2024
|-
|148th
|[[Geneva]]
|{{flag|Switzerland}}
|2024
|-
|147th
|[[Luanda]]
|{{flag|Angola}}
|2023
|-
|146th
|[[Manama]]
|{{flag|Bahrain}}
|2023
|-
|145th
|[[Kigali]]
|{{flag|Rwanda}}
|2022
|-
|144th
|[[Nusa Dua]]
|{{flag|Indonesia}}
|2022
|-
|143rd
|[[Madrid]]
|{{flag|Spain}}
|2021
|-
|142nd
|Virtual
|Virtual
|2021
|-
|-
| 141st||[[Belgrade]]||{{flag|Serbia}}|| 2019
| 141st||[[Belgrade]]||{{flag|Serbia}}|| 2019
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| 138th||[[Geneva]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}|| 2018
| 138th||[[Geneva]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}|| 2018
|-
|-
| 137th||[[St. Petersburg]]||{{flag|Russia}}|| 2017
| 137th||[[Saint Petersburg]]||{{flag|Russia}}|| 2017
|-
|-
| 136th||[[Dhaka]]||{{flag|Bangladesh}}|| 2017
| 136th||[[Dhaka]]||{{flag|Bangladesh}}|| 2017
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| 125th||[[Bern]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}||2011
| 125th||[[Bern]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}||2011
|-
|-
| 124th||[[Panama city]]||{{flag|Panama}}||2011  
| 124th||[[Panama City]]||{{flag|Panama}}||2011  
|-
|-
| 123rd||[[Geneva]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}||2010
| 123rd||[[Geneva]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}||2010
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| 111th||[[Geneva]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}||2004
| 111th||[[Geneva]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}||2004
|-
|-
| 110th||[[Mexico]]||{{flag|Mexico}}||2004
| 110th||[[Mexico City]]||{{flag|Mexico}}||2004
|-
|-
| 109th||[[Geneva]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}||2003
| 109th||[[Geneva]]||{{flag|Switzerland}}||2003
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| 52nd||[[Belgrade]]||{{flag|Yugoslavia}}||1963
| 52nd||[[Belgrade]]||{{flag|Yugoslavia}}||1963
|-
|-
| 51st||[[Brasilia]]||{{flag|Brazil|1960}}||1962
| 51st||[[Brasília]]||{{flag|Brazil|1960}}||1962
|-
|-
| 50th||[[Brussels]]||{{flag|Belgium}}||1961
| 50th||[[Brussels]]||{{flag|Belgium}}||1961
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==Presidents==
==Presidents==


{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|"
|-
|-
! President
! President
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! Country
! Country
|-
|-
|[[Duarte Pacheco]]
|[[August Beernaert]]
|2020–present
|1909–1912
|{{flag|Portugal}}
|{{flag|Belgium}}
|-
|[[Philip Stanhope, 1st Baron Weardale|Philip Stanhope]]
|1912–1922
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
|-
|[[Gabriela Cuevas Barron]]
|[[Theodor Adelsward]]
|2017–2020
|1922–1928
| {{flag|Mexico}}
|{{flag|Sweden}}
|-
|-
|[[Saber Hossain Chowdhury]]
|[[Fernand Bouisson]]
|2014–2017
|1928–1934
|{{flag|Bangladesh}}
|{{flag|France}}
|-
|-
|[[Abdelwahad Radi]]
|[[Henri Carton de Wiart]]
|2011–2014
|1934–1947
|{{flag|Morocco}}
|{{flag|Belgium}}
|-
|-
|[[Theo-Ben Gurirab]]
|[[William Wedgwood Benn, 1st Viscount Stansgate|William Wedgwood Benn]]
|2008–2011
|1947–1957
|{{flag|Namibia}}
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
|-
| [[Pier Ferdinando Casini]]  
|[[Giuseppe Codacci-Pisanelli]]
|2005–2008
|1957–1962
|{{flag|Italy}}
|{{flag|Italy}}
|-
|-
|[[Sergio Paes Verdugo]]  
|[[Ranieri Mazzilli]]
|2002–2005
|1962–1967
|{{flag|Chile}}
|{{flag|Brazil}}
|-
|-
|[[Najma Heptulla]]  
|[[Abderrahman Abdennebi]]
|1999–2002
|1967–1968
|{{flag|India}}
|{{flag|Tunisia}}
|-
|-
|[[Miguel Ángel Martínez Martínez|Miguel Angel Martinez]]
|[[André Chandernagor]]
|1997–1999
|1968–1973
|{{flag|Spain }}
|{{flag|France}}
|-
|-
|[[Ahmed Fathi Sorour]]
|[[Gurdial Singh Dhillon]]
|1994–1997
|1973–1976
|{{flag|Egypt}}
|{{flag|India}}
|-
|-
|[[Michael Marshall (politician)|Michael Marshall]]
|[[Thomas Williams (Warrington MP)|Thomas Williams]]
|1991–1994
|1976–1979
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
|-
|[[Dauda Sow]]
|[[Rafael Caldera]]
|1988–1991
|1979–1982
|{{flag|Senegal}}
|{{flag|Venezuela}}
|-
|-
|[[Hans Stercken]]
|[[Johannes Virolainen]]
|1985–1988
|1982–1983
|{{flag|West Germany}}  
|{{flag|Finland}}
|-
|-
|[[John Page (MP for Harrow West)|John Page]]
|[[Emile Cuvelier]]
|1985
|1983
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|{{flag|Belgium}}
|-
|-
|[[Izz El Din El Sayed]]
|[[Izz El Din El Sayed]]
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|{{flag|Sudan}}
|{{flag|Sudan}}
|-
|-
|[[Emile Cuvelier]]
|[[John Page (MP for Harrow West)|John Page]]
|1983
|1985
|{{flag|Belgium}}
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
|-
|[[Johannes Virolainen]]
|[[Hans Stercken]]
|1982–1983
|1985–1988
|{{flag|Finland}}
|{{flag|West Germany}}  
|-
|-
|[[Rafael Caldera]]
|[[Dauda Sow]]
|1979–1982
|1988–1991
|{{flag|Venezuela}}
|{{flag|Senegal}}
|-
|-
|[[Thomas Williams (Warrington MP)|Thomas Williams]]
|[[Michael Marshall (politician)|Michael Marshall]]
|1976–1979
|1991–1994
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
|-
|[[Gurdial Singh Dhillon]]
|[[Ahmed Fathi Sorour]]
|1973–1976
|1994–1997
|{{flag|India}}
|{{flag|Egypt}}
|-
|-
|[[André Chandernagor]]
|[[Miguel Ángel Martínez Martínez|Miguel Angel Martinez]]
|1968–1973
|1997–1999
|{{flag|France}}
|{{flag|Spain}}
|-
|-
|[[Abderrahman Abdennebi]]
|[[Najma Heptulla]]  
|1967–1968
|1999–2002
|{{flag|Tunisia}}
|{{flag|India}}
|-
|-
|[[Ranieri Mazzilli]]
|[[Sergio Paes Verdugo]]  
|1962–1967
|2002–2005
|{{flag|Brazil}}
|{{flag|Chile}}
|-
|-
|[[Giuseppe Codacci-Pisanelli]]
| [[Pier Ferdinando Casini]]  
|1957–1962
|2005–2008
|{{flag|Italy}}
|{{flag|Italy}}
|-
|-
|[[William Wedgwood Benn, 1st Viscount Stansgate|William Wedgwood Benn]]
|[[Theo-Ben Gurirab]]
|1947–1957
|2008–2011
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|{{flag|Namibia}}
|-
|-
|[[Henri Carton de Wiart]]
|[[Abdelwahad Radi]]
|1934–1947
|2011–2014
|{{flag|Belgium}}
|{{flag|Morocco}}
|-
|-
|[[Fernand Bouisson]]
|[[Saber Hossain Chowdhury]]
|1928–1934
|2014–2017
|{{flag|France}}
|{{flag|Bangladesh}}
|-
|-
|[[Theodor Adelsward]]
|[[Gabriela Cuevas Barron]]
|1922–1928
|2017–2020
|{{flag|Sweden}}
|{{flag|Mexico}}
|-
|-
|[[Philip Stanhope, 1st Baron Weardale|Philip Stanhope]]
|[[Duarte Pacheco (21st century)|Duarte Pacheco]]
|1912–1922
|2020–2023
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|{{flag|Portugal}}
|-
|-
|[[August Beernaert]]
|[[Tulia Ackson]]
|1909–1912
|2023–
|{{flag|Belgium}}
|{{flag|Tanzania}}
|}
|}


Line 553: Line 609:
==The IPU and the United Nations==
==The IPU and the United Nations==


The IPU marked the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, in 1995, by holding a special session in the [[United Nations General Assembly Hall|General Assembly Hall]] before the start of the session,<ref name="UN_A50561_page2">{{UN document |docid=A-50-561 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=50 |document_number=561 |highlight=rect_158,350_882,609 |page=2 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> where they planned for closer cooperation with the United Nations.  The [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution|General Assembly Resolution]] passed during that session requested the Secretary-General to put this into action.<ref name="UN_ARES5015">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-50-15 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=50 |resolution_number=15 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>  An agreement was signed between the IPU and the Secretary-General on 24 July 1996 and subsequently ratified by a General Assembly Resolution, where the United Nations recognizes IPU as the world organization of parliaments.<ref name="UN_A51402">{{UN document |docid=A-51-402 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=51 |document_number=402 |accessdate=2007-09-10| date=25 September 1995}}</ref><ref name="UN_ARES517">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-51-7 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=51 |resolution_number=7 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> Pursuant to this resolution, the Secretary-General submitted a report<ref name="UN_A52456">{{UN document |docid=A-52-456 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=52 |document_number=456 |accessdate=2007-09-10| date=13 October 1997}}</ref> which was noted with appreciation by the General Assembly, who requested further strengthening of cooperation and another report.<ref name="UN_ARES527">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-52-7 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=52 |resolution_number=7 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>  This report detailed the measures that had been taken, including opening a liaison office in New York, and cooperation on issues such land-mines and the promotion of representative democracy.<ref name="UN_A53458">{{UN document |docid=A-53-458 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=53 |document_number=458 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>  Following an entire morning of debate<ref name="UN_A53PV46_1998">{{UN document |docid=A-53-PV.46 |type=Verbatim Report |body=General Assembly |session=53 |meeting=46 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> the General Assembly passed a resolution which simply stated that it "looks forward to continued close cooperation".<ref name="UN_ARES5313">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-53-13 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=53 |resolution_number=13 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>
The IPU marked the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, in 1995, by holding a special session in the [[United Nations General Assembly Hall|General Assembly Hall]] before the start of the session,<ref name="UN_A50561_page2">{{UN document |docid=A-50-561 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=50 |document_number=561 |highlight=rect_158,350_882,609 |page=2 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> where they planned for closer cooperation with the United Nations.  The [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution|General Assembly Resolution]] passed during that session requested the Secretary-General to put this into action.<ref name="UN_ARES5015">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-50-15 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=50 |resolution_number=15 |accessdate=2007-09-10|date=22 November 1995}}</ref>  An agreement was signed between the IPU and the Secretary-General on 24 July 1996 and subsequently ratified by a General Assembly Resolution, where the United Nations recognizes IPU as the world organization of parliaments.<ref name="UN_A51402">{{UN document |docid=A-51-402 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=51 |document_number=402 |accessdate=2007-09-10| date=25 September 1995}}</ref><ref name="UN_ARES517">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-51-7 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=51 |resolution_number=7 |accessdate=2007-09-10|date=7 November 1996}}</ref> Pursuant to this resolution, the Secretary-General submitted a report<ref name="UN_A52456">{{UN document |docid=A-52-456 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=52 |document_number=456 |accessdate=2007-09-10| date=13 October 1997}}</ref> which was noted with appreciation by the General Assembly, who requested further strengthening of cooperation and another report.<ref name="UN_ARES527">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-52-7 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=52 |resolution_number=7 |accessdate=2007-09-10|date=6 November 1997}}</ref>  This report detailed the measures that had been taken, including opening a liaison office in New York, and cooperation on issues such land-mines and the promotion of representative democracy.<ref name="UN_A53458">{{UN document |docid=A-53-458 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=53 |document_number=458 |accessdate=2007-09-10|date=5 October 1998}}</ref>  Following an entire morning of debate<ref name="UN_A53PV46_1998">{{UN document |docid=A-53-PV.46 |date=28 October 1998 |type=Verbatim Report |body=General Assembly |session=53 |meeting=46 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> the General Assembly passed a resolution which simply stated that it "looks forward to continued close cooperation".<ref name="UN_ARES5313">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-53-13 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=53 |resolution_number=13 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>


The following year (1999) the Secretary-General reported on an increased number of areas of cooperation,<ref name="UN_A54379">{{UN document |docid=A-54-379 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=54 |document_number=379 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> the issue was debated for an entire afternoon<ref name="UN_A54PV41_1999">{{UN document |docid=A-54-PV.41 |type=Verbatim Report |body=General Assembly |session=54 |meeting=41 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> (interrupted by a minute of silence held for tribute to [[Vazgen Sargsyan]], the Prime Minister of [[Armenia]] who had just at that time been [[1999 Armenian parliament shooting|killed by gunmen]]),<ref>{{ UN document |docid=A-54-PV.41 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=54 |meeting=41 |page=20 |anchor=pg020-bk02 |meetingtime=15:00 |speakername=The President |accessdate=2007-09-10 }}</ref> and passed a resolution requesting the IPU be allowed to address the Millennium General Assembly directly.<ref name="UN_ARES5412">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-54-12 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=54 |resolution_number=12 |accessdate=2007-09-10| date=18 November 1999}}</ref>
The following year (1999) the Secretary-General reported on an increased number of areas of cooperation,<ref name="UN_A54379">{{UN document |docid=A-54-379 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=54 |document_number=379 |accessdate=2007-09-10|date=21 September 1999}}</ref> the issue was debated for an entire afternoon<ref name="UN_A54PV41_1999">{{UN document |docid=A-54-PV.41 |date=27 October 1999 |type=Verbatim Report |body=General Assembly |session=54 |meeting=41 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> (interrupted by a minute of silence held for tribute to [[Vazgen Sargsyan]], the Prime Minister of [[Armenia]] who had just at that time been [[1999 Armenian parliament shooting|killed by gunmen]]),<ref>{{ UN document |docid=A-54-PV.41 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=54 |meeting=41 |page=20 |anchor=pg020-bk02 |date=27 October 1999 |meetingtime=15:00 |speakername=The President |accessdate=2007-09-10 }}</ref> and passed a resolution requesting the IPU be allowed to address the Millennium General Assembly directly.<ref name="UN_ARES5412">{{UN document |docid=A-RES-54-12 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=54 |resolution_number=12 |accessdate=2007-09-10| date=18 November 1999}}</ref>


Following another report,<ref name="UN_A55409">{{UN document |docid=A-55-409 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=55 |document_number=409 |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> and another half-day debate,<ref name="UN_A55PV55_2000">{{UN document
Following another report,<ref name="UN_A55409">{{UN document |docid=A-55-409 |type=Document |body=General Assembly |session=55 |document_number=409 |accessdate=2007-09-10|date=18 October 2000}}</ref> and another half-day debate,<ref name="UN_A55PV55_2000">{{UN document
   |docid=A-55-PV.55
   |docid=A-55-PV.55
   |date=8 November 2000
   |date=8 November 2000
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In the Resolution ''59/19, Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union'', the UN General Assembly takes note of the recommendations in regard to engaging parliamentarians more systematically in the work of
In the Resolution ''59/19, Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union'', the UN General Assembly takes note of the recommendations in regard to engaging parliamentarians more systematically in the work of
the United Nations.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-res-59-19.pdf Resolution adopted by the General Assembly], 17 December 2004</ref>
the United Nations.<ref name="autogenerated1">[https://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-res-59-19.pdf Resolution adopted by the General Assembly], 17 December 2004</ref>


The final declaration of the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, hosted at United Nations headquarters, took place in September 2005, was entitled ''Bridging the democracy gap in international relations: A stronger role for parliament''.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/splz-e/sp-conf05/declaration.pdf Bridging the democracy gap in international relations: A stronger role for parliaments] UNO Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, New York, 7 to 9 September 2005</ref>
The final declaration of the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, hosted at United Nations headquarters, took place in September 2005, was entitled ''Bridging the democracy gap in international relations: A stronger role for parliament''.<ref>[https://www.ipu.org/splz-e/sp-conf05/declaration.pdf Bridging the democracy gap in international relations: A stronger role for parliaments] UNO Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, New York, 7 to 9 September 2005</ref>


In the Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, ''61/6, Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union'', on 27 November 2006, it calls for ''the further development of the annual parliamentary hearing at the United Nations and other specialized parliamentary meetings in the context of major United Nations meetings as joint United Nations-Inter-Parliamentary Union events''.<ref name="autogenerated2">[http://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-61-L6-e.pdf Resolution 61/6: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union], 27 November 2006, at IPU official website</ref>
In the Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, ''61/6, Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union'', on 27 November 2006, it calls for ''the further development of the annual parliamentary hearing at the United Nations and other specialized parliamentary meetings in the context of major United Nations meetings as joint United Nations-Inter-Parliamentary Union events''.<ref name="autogenerated2">[https://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-61-L6-e.pdf Resolution 61/6: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union], 27 November 2006, at IPU official website</ref>


Every year during the fall session of the General Assembly the IPU organises a Parliamentary Hearing.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/un-e/un-hearings.htm Cooperation with the UN: hearings] at IPU official website</ref>  A resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the IPU allowed for circulation of official IPU documents in the General Assembly.
Every year during the fall session of the General Assembly the IPU organises a Parliamentary Hearing.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/un-e/un-hearings.htm Cooperation with the UN: hearings] at IPU official website</ref>  A resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the IPU allowed for circulation of official IPU documents in the General Assembly.
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=== Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament ===
=== Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament ===
The fourth world conference on [[Seventieth anniversary of the United Nations|UN 70th anniversary]] marked by [[Ban Ki-moon|Ban Ki-Moon]] as "[[UN70]]" was organised in September 2015 where Speakers of all IPU('''''Inter-Parliamentary Union''''') member parliaments and of non-member parliaments were invited from across the world. The theme was on peace, democracy, and development.<ref>{{cite web|title = Press Releases|url = http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Enimerosi/Grafeio-Typou/Deltia-Typou/?press=4cd2f49d-6939-4061-833d-a50a0125d9d9|website = www.hellenicparliament.gr|access-date = 2015-10-01}}</ref>
The fourth world conference on [[Seventieth anniversary of the United Nations|UN 70th anniversary]] marked by [[Ban Ki-moon|Ban Ki-Moon]] as "[[UN70]]" was organised in September 2015 where Speakers of all IPU ('''''Inter-Parliamentary Union''''') member parliaments and of non-member parliaments were invited from across the world. The theme was on peace, democracy, and development.<ref>{{cite web|title = Press Releases|url = http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Enimerosi/Grafeio-Typou/Deltia-Typou/?press=4cd2f49d-6939-4061-833d-a50a0125d9d9|website = www.hellenicparliament.gr|access-date = 2015-10-01}}</ref>


=== United Nations reports, resolutions, and agreements===
=== United Nations reports, resolutions, and agreements===


*Resolution of the United Nations: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 27 November 2006.<ref name="autogenerated2" />
*Resolution of the United Nations: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 27 November 2006.<ref name="autogenerated2" />
*Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations, 16 August 2006.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-61-256-e.pdf Etpu<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations, 16 August 2006.<ref>[https://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-61-256-e.pdf Etpu<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 8 November 2004.<ref name="autogenerated1" />
*Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 8 November 2004.<ref name="autogenerated1" />
* Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (see Part 5 of the Annex), 1 September 2004.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-59-303.pdf Microsoft Word – 0447505e.doc<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (see Part 5 of the Annex), 1 September 2004.<ref>[https://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-59-303.pdf Microsoft Word – 0447505e.doc<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* Resolution adopted by the General Assembly: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 21 November 2002.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-res-57-47.pdf Microsoft Word – UND_GEN_N0254074_DOCU_N<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* Resolution adopted by the General Assembly: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 21 November 2002.<ref>[https://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-res-57-47.pdf Microsoft Word – UND_GEN_N0254074_DOCU_N<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* Resolution adopted by the General Assembly: Observer status for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the General Assembly, 19 November 2002.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-res-57-32.pdf Resolution 57/32. Observer status for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the General Assembly] 19 November 2002</ref>
* Resolution adopted by the General Assembly: Observer status for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the General Assembly, 19 November 2002.<ref>[https://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-res-57-32.pdf Resolution 57/32. Observer status for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the General Assembly] 19 November 2002</ref>
* Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 3 September 2002.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-57-375.pdf Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union: Report of the Secretary-General—Summary] at IPU official website, 3 September 2002</ref>
* Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 3 September 2002.<ref>[https://www.ipu.org/Un-e/a-57-375.pdf Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union: Report of the Secretary-General—Summary] at IPU official website, 3 September 2002</ref>
* Cooperation Agreement between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union of 1996.<ref>[https://www.un.org/documents/ga/docs/51/plenary/a51-402.htm Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union: Report of the Secretary-General] Full item, 25 September 1996, at UNO official website. Accessed 24 February 2014</ref>
* Cooperation Agreement between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union of 1996.<ref>[https://www.un.org/documents/ga/docs/51/plenary/a51-402.htm Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union: Report of the Secretary-General] Full item, 25 September 1996, at UNO official website. Accessed 24 February 2014</ref>


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==External links==
==External links==
* {{official web site|http://www.ipu.org/}}
* {{official website|http://www.ipu.org/}}
* [http://www.ipu.org/strct-e/un.htm Cooperation with the United Nations] at official website
* [http://www.ipu.org/strct-e/un.htm Cooperation with the United Nations] at official website
* ''[https://archive.org/details/ipusterzel The Inter-Parliamentary Union]'' (1968)
* ''[https://archive.org/details/ipusterzel The Inter-Parliamentary Union]'' (1968)
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{{International organizations}}
{{International organizations}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Inter-Parliamentary Union| ]]
[[Category:Inter-Parliamentary Union| ]]

Latest revision as of 20:15, 28 December 2025


Inter-Parliamentary Union
Founded1889
FounderFrédéric Passy,
William Randal Cremer
Legal statusInternational organization
HeadquartersGeneva, Switzerland
Membership
183 Members
15 Associate Members
Tulia Ackson[1]
Martin Chungong[2]
Websitewww.ipu.org

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., UIP) is an international organization of national parliaments.[3] Its primary purpose is to promote democratic governance, accountability, and cooperation among its members; other initiatives include advancing gender parity among legislatures, empowering youth participation in politics, and sustainable development.

The organization was established in 1889 as the Inter-Parliamentary Conference. Its founders were statesmen Frédéric Passy of France and William Randal Cremer of the United Kingdom, who sought to create the first permanent forum for political multilateral negotiations. Initially, IPU membership was reserved for individual parliamentarians, but has since transformed to include the legislatures of sovereign states. As of 2025, the national parliaments of 183 countries are members of the IPU, while 15 are associated members, most of whom are regional parliaments.[4][5] Some of the organization's member states are not democratic by indexes.[6][7]

The IPU facilitates the development of international law and institutions, strengthening the foundations and enhancing the vision for peace and the common good, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the League of Nations, and the United Nations. It also sponsors and takes part in international conferences and forums, and has permanent observer status at the United Nations General Assembly. Consequently, eight individuals associated with the organization are Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

History[edit | edit source]

The organisation's initial objective was the arbitration of conflicts. The IPU played an important part in setting up the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Over time, its mission has evolved towards the promotion of democracy and inter-parliamentary dialogue. The IPU has worked for establishment of institutions at the inter-governmental level, including the United Nations, an organization with which it cooperates and with which it has permanent observer status.

The headquarters of the union have been moved several times since its inception. Locations:

  • 1892–1911: Bern (Switzerland)
  • 1911–1914: Brussels (Belgium)
  • 1914–1920: Oslo (Norway)
  • 1921–present: Geneva (Switzerland)

Eight leading personalities of the IPU have received Nobel Peace Prizes:

Members and organization[edit | edit source]

Members[edit | edit source]

Map of IPU member states

At its founding on 30 June 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Conference had eight members: Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Liberia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The United States also attended but did not formally adopt the treaty of arbitration.[8][9]

The Inter-Parliamentary Union currently has 183 members.

  • Regional parliamentary assemblies may be admitted by the Governing Council as Associate Members
  • Every Parliament constituted in conformity with the laws of a sovereign State whose population it represents and on whose territory it functions may request affiliation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The decision to admit or readmit a Parliament shall be taken by the Governing Council.

It is the duty of the Members of the IPU to submit the resolutions of the IPU within their respective Parliament, in the most appropriate form; to communicate them to the Government; to stimulate their implementation and to inform the IPU Secretariat, as often and fully as possible, particularly in its annual reports, as to the steps taken and the results obtained.

Almost all countries have a parliament member of IPU, with the notable exception of the United States, although the 12th (1904), the 23rd (1925) and the 42nd (1953) conferences were hosted in the US.

Associate Members

The participating parliamentary assemblies other than national parliaments are the following:[4]

Name Related organization
Andean Parliament CAN
Arab Parliament
Central American Parliament (PARLCEN) SICA
East African Legislative Assembly EAC
European Parliament EU
CIS Interparliamentary Assembly CIS
Inter-Parliamentary Committee of the West African Economic and Monetary Union UEMOA
Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO) PARLATINO
Pan-African Parliament AU
Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS
Parliament of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community CEMAC
Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) OIF
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) CoE
Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC

Organs[edit | edit source]

Headquarters of the IPU in Geneva (2010)

The organs of the Inter-Parliamentary Union are:

  • Assembly. Meeting biannually, the Assembly is composed of parliamentarians designated as delegates by the Members. The Assembly is assisted in its work by Standing Committees, whose number and terms of reference are determined by the Governing Council; Standing Committees shall normally prepare reports and draft resolutions for the Assembly. No one delegate may record more than ten votes.
  • Governing Council. The Governing Council normally holds two sessions a year. The Governing Council is composed of three representatives from each Member. The term of office of a member of the Governing Council lasts from one Assembly to the next and all the members of the Governing Council must be sitting members of Parliament. The Governing Council elects the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for a period of three years. It also elects the members of the executive committee and appoints the Secretary General of the Union.
  • Executive Committee. The executive committee is composed of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 15 members belonging to different Parliaments (elected by the Governing Council; not less than 12 are elected from among the members of the Governing Council) and the President of the Coordinating Committee of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians. The fifteen elected seats are assigned to the geopolitical groups. Only parliamentarians from States where women have both the right to vote and the right to stand for election are eligible to the executive committee. The executive committee is the administrative organ of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The current President is Dr. Tulia Ackson, Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania and the second woman to hold the position, who was elected in October 2023.[10]
  • Secretariat. The Secretariat constitutes the totality of the staff of the organisation under the direction of the Secretary General, currently Martin Chungong of Cameroon.[11]

The Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments is a consultative body of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Assemblies[edit | edit source]

Art Nouveau plaque-medallion for the 15th Inter-Parliamentary Conference 1908 in Berlin

The Assembly is the IPU's main political body through which the IPU's Member Parliaments adopt parliamentary resolutions on global issues. It plays a pivotal role in addressing the issues which threaten peace, democracy and sustainable development, including through its four thematic standing committees. IPU Assemblies are held twice a year either in Geneva or hosted by Member Parliaments.

# Host city Host country Year
150th Tashkent  Uzbekistan 2025
149th Geneva   Switzerland 2024
148th Geneva   Switzerland 2024
147th Luanda  Angola 2023
146th Manama  Bahrain 2023
145th Kigali  Rwanda 2022
144th Nusa Dua  Indonesia 2022
143rd Madrid  Spain 2021
142nd Virtual Virtual 2021
141st Belgrade  Serbia 2019
140th Doha  Qatar 2019
139th Geneva   Switzerland 2018
138th Geneva   Switzerland 2018
137th Saint Petersburg  Russia 2017
136th Dhaka  Bangladesh 2017
135th Geneva   Switzerland 2016
134th Lusaka  Zambia 2016
133rd Geneva   Switzerland 2015
132nd Hanoi  Vietnam 2015
131st Geneva   Switzerland [12] 2014
130th Geneva   Switzerland 2014
129th Geneva   Switzerland 2013
128th Quito  Ecuador 2013
127th Quebec City  Canada 2012
126th Kampala  Uganda 2012
125th Bern   Switzerland 2011
124th Panama City  Panama 2011
123rd Geneva   Switzerland 2010
122nd Bangkok  Thailand 2010
121st Geneva   Switzerland 2009
120th Addis Ababa  Ethiopia 2009
119th Geneva   Switzerland 2008
118th Cape Town  South Africa 2008
117th Geneva   Switzerland 2007
116th Nusa Dua, Bali  Indonesia 2007
115th Geneva   Switzerland 2006
114th Nairobi  Kenya 2006
113th Geneva   Switzerland 2005
112th Manila  Philippines 2005
111th Geneva   Switzerland 2004
110th Mexico City  Mexico 2004
109th Geneva   Switzerland 2003
108th Santiago  Chile 2003
107th Marrakesh  Morocco 2002
106th Ouagadougou  Burkina Faso 2001
105th Havana  Cuba 2001
104th Jakarta  Indonesia 2000
103rd Amman  Jordan 2000
102nd Berlin  Germany 1999
101st Brussels  Belgium 1999
100th Moscow  Russia 1998
99th Windhoek  Namibia 1998
98th Cairo  Egypt 1997
97th Seoul  South Korea 1997
96th Beijing  China 1996
95th Istanbul  Turkey 1996
94th Bucharest  Romania 1995
93rd Madrid  Spain 1995
92nd Copenhagen  Denmark 1994
91st Paris  France 1994
90th Canberra  Australia 1993
89th New Delhi  India 1993
88th Stockholm  Sweden 1992
87th Yaoundé  Cameroon 1992
86th Santiago  Chile 1991
85th Pyongyang  North Korea 1991
84th Punta del Este  Uruguay 1990
83rd Nicosia  Cyprus 1990
82nd London  United Kingdom 1989
81st Budapest  Hungary 1989
80th Sofia  Bulgaria 1988
79th Guatemala City  Guatemala 1988
78th Bangkok  Thailand 1987
77th Managua  Nicaragua 1987
76th Buenos Aires  Argentina 1986
75th Mexico City  Mexico 1986
74th Ottawa  Canada 1985
73rd Lomé  Togo 1985
72nd Geneva   Switzerland 1984
71st Geneva   Switzerland 1984
70th Seoul  South Korea 1983
69th Rome  Italy 1982
68th Havana  Cuba 1981
67th Berlin  East Germany 1980
66th Caracas  Venezuela 1979
65th Bonn  Germany 1978
64th Sofia  Bulgaria 1977
63rd Madrid  Spain 1976
62nd London  United Kingdom 1975
61st Tokyo File:Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Japan 1974
60th Rome  Italy 1972
59th Paris  France 1971
58th The Hague  Netherlands 1970
57th New Delhi  India 1969
56th Lima  Peru 1968
55th Tehran  Iran 1966
54th Ottawa  Canada 1965
53rd Copenhagen  Denmark 1964
52nd Belgrade Template:Country data Yugoslavia 1963
51st Brasília  Brazil 1962
50th Brussels  Belgium 1961
49th Tokyo File:Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Japan 1960
48th Warsaw  Poland 1959
47th Rio de Janeiro  Brazil 1958
46th London  United Kingdom 1957
45th Bangkok  Thailand 1956
44th Helsinki  Finland 1955
43rd Vienna  Austria 1954
42nd Washington, D.C.  United States 1953
41st Bern   Switzerland 1952
40th Istanbul  Turkey 1951
39th Dublin  Ireland 1950
38th Stockholm  Sweden 1949
37th Rome  Italy 1948
36th Cairo  Egypt 1947
35th Oslo  Norway 1939
34th The Hague  Netherlands 1938
33rd Paris  France 1937
32nd Budapest  Hungary 1936
31st Brussels  Belgium 1935
30th Istanbul  Turkey 1934
29th Madrid  Spain 1933
28th Geneva   Switzerland 1932
27th Bucharest  Romania 1931
26th London  United Kingdom 1930
25th Berlin  Germany 1928
24th Paris  France 1927
23rd Washington, D.C.  United States 1925
Ottawa  Canada
22nd Bern   Switzerland 1924
21st Copenhagen  Denmark 1923
20th Vienna  Austria 1922
19th Stockholm  Sweden 1921
18th The Hague  Netherlands 1913
17th Geneva   Switzerland 1912
16th Brussels  Belgium 1910
15th Berlin  Germany 1908
14th London  United Kingdom 1906
13th Brussels  Belgium 1905
12th St. Louis  United States 1904
11th Vienna  Austria-Hungary 1903
10th Paris  France 1900
9th Christiania  Denmark 1899
8th Brussels  Belgium 1897
7th Budapest  Austria-Hungary 1896
6th Brussels  Belgium 1895
5th The Hague  Netherlands 1894
4th Bern   Switzerland 1892
3rd Rome  Italy 1891
2nd London  United Kingdom 1890
1st Paris  France 1889

Presidents[edit | edit source]

President Years Country
August Beernaert 1909–1912  Belgium
Philip Stanhope 1912–1922  United Kingdom
Theodor Adelsward 1922–1928  Sweden
Fernand Bouisson 1928–1934  France
Henri Carton de Wiart 1934–1947  Belgium
William Wedgwood Benn 1947–1957  United Kingdom
Giuseppe Codacci-Pisanelli 1957–1962  Italy
Ranieri Mazzilli 1962–1967  Brazil
Abderrahman Abdennebi 1967–1968  Tunisia
André Chandernagor 1968–1973  France
Gurdial Singh Dhillon 1973–1976  India
Thomas Williams 1976–1979  United Kingdom
Rafael Caldera 1979–1982  Venezuela
Johannes Virolainen 1982–1983  Finland
Emile Cuvelier 1983  Belgium
Izz El Din El Sayed 1983–1985  Sudan
John Page 1985  United Kingdom
Hans Stercken 1985–1988  West Germany
Dauda Sow 1988–1991  Senegal
Michael Marshall 1991–1994  United Kingdom
Ahmed Fathi Sorour 1994–1997  Egypt
Miguel Angel Martinez 1997–1999  Spain
Najma Heptulla 1999–2002  India
Sergio Paes Verdugo 2002–2005  Chile
Pier Ferdinando Casini 2005–2008  Italy
Theo-Ben Gurirab 2008–2011  Namibia
Abdelwahad Radi 2011–2014  Morocco
Saber Hossain Chowdhury 2014–2017  Bangladesh
Gabriela Cuevas Barron 2017–2020  Mexico
Duarte Pacheco 2020–2023  Portugal
Tulia Ackson 2023–  Tanzania

Amendments to the Statutes[edit | edit source]

Any proposal to amend the Statutes shall be submitted in writing to the Secretariat of the Union at least three months before the meeting of the Assembly. The Secretariat will immediately communicate all such proposals to the Members of the Union. The consideration of such proposed amendments shall be automatically placed on the agenda of the Assembly.

Any sub-amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Secretariat of the Union at least six weeks before the meeting of the Assembly. The Secretariat will immediately communicate all such sub-amendments to the Members of the Union.

After hearing the opinion of the Governing Council, expressed through a simple majority vote, the Assembly shall decide on such proposals by a two-thirds majority vote.

The IPU and the United Nations[edit | edit source]

The IPU marked the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, in 1995, by holding a special session in the General Assembly Hall before the start of the session,[13] where they planned for closer cooperation with the United Nations. The General Assembly Resolution passed during that session requested the Secretary-General to put this into action.[14] An agreement was signed between the IPU and the Secretary-General on 24 July 1996 and subsequently ratified by a General Assembly Resolution, where the United Nations recognizes IPU as the world organization of parliaments.[15][16] Pursuant to this resolution, the Secretary-General submitted a report[17] which was noted with appreciation by the General Assembly, who requested further strengthening of cooperation and another report.[18] This report detailed the measures that had been taken, including opening a liaison office in New York, and cooperation on issues such land-mines and the promotion of representative democracy.[19] Following an entire morning of debate[20] the General Assembly passed a resolution which simply stated that it "looks forward to continued close cooperation".[21]

The following year (1999) the Secretary-General reported on an increased number of areas of cooperation,[22] the issue was debated for an entire afternoon[23] (interrupted by a minute of silence held for tribute to Vazgen Sargsyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia who had just at that time been killed by gunmen),[24] and passed a resolution requesting the IPU be allowed to address the Millennium General Assembly directly.[25]

Following another report,[26] and another half-day debate,[27] the General Assembly welcomed the IPU declaration entitled "The Parliamentary vision for international cooperation at the dawn of the third millennium" and called for the Secretary-General to explore new and further ways in which the relationship could be strengthened.[28]

On 19 November 2002 the IPU was granted observer status to the General Assembly.[29]

In the Resolution 59/19, Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the UN General Assembly takes note of the recommendations in regard to engaging parliamentarians more systematically in the work of the United Nations.[30]

The final declaration of the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, hosted at United Nations headquarters, took place in September 2005, was entitled Bridging the democracy gap in international relations: A stronger role for parliament.[31]

In the Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, 61/6, Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, on 27 November 2006, it calls for the further development of the annual parliamentary hearing at the United Nations and other specialized parliamentary meetings in the context of major United Nations meetings as joint United Nations-Inter-Parliamentary Union events.[32]

Every year during the fall session of the General Assembly the IPU organises a Parliamentary Hearing.[33] A resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the IPU allowed for circulation of official IPU documents in the General Assembly.

UN and the IPU cooperate closely in various fields, in particular peace and security, economic and social development, international law, human rights, and democracy and gender issues, but IPU has not obtained the status of UN General Assembly subsidiary organ.

Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament[edit | edit source]

The fourth world conference on UN 70th anniversary marked by Ban Ki-Moon as "UN70" was organised in September 2015 where Speakers of all IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) member parliaments and of non-member parliaments were invited from across the world. The theme was on peace, democracy, and development.[34]

United Nations reports, resolutions, and agreements[edit | edit source]

  • Resolution of the United Nations: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 27 November 2006.[32]
  • Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations, 16 August 2006.[35]
  • Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 8 November 2004.[30]
  • Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (see Part 5 of the Annex), 1 September 2004.[36]
  • Resolution adopted by the General Assembly: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 21 November 2002.[37]
  • Resolution adopted by the General Assembly: Observer status for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the General Assembly, 19 November 2002.[38]
  • Report of the United Nations Secretary-General: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 3 September 2002.[39]
  • Cooperation Agreement between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union of 1996.[40]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "President". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Secretary General". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Staff writer (2024). "Inter-Parliamentary Union". UIA Global Civil Society Database. uia.org. Brussels, Belgium: Union of International Associations. Yearbook of International Organizations Online. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Members". Inter-Parliamentary Union. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  5. ↑ "Матвиенко избрана председателем ассамблеи Межпарламентского союза". ТАСС (in русский). Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  6. ↑ "Freedom in the World". Freedom House. 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  7. ↑ "Democracy Index 2020". Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  8. ↑ "History of the IPU". Inter-Parliamentary Union.
  9. ↑ "Inter-Parliamentary Union | 130 years | 130 ans". Inter-Parliamentary Union.
  10. ↑ "Election of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union" (PDF).
  11. ↑ "Secretary General". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  12. ↑ "Cameroon: Ipu Urges Members to Stem Indefensible Terrorism and to Protect Human Rights". allAfrica.com - PR Newswire. Retrieved 2014-10-21.
  13. ↑ Template:UN document
  14. ↑ Template:UN document
  15. ↑ Template:UN document
  16. ↑ Template:UN document
  17. ↑ Template:UN document
  18. ↑ Template:UN document
  19. ↑ Template:UN document
  20. ↑ Template:UN document
  21. ↑ Template:UN document
  22. ↑ Template:UN document
  23. ↑ Template:UN document
  24. ↑ Template:UN document
  25. ↑ Template:UN document
  26. ↑ Template:UN document
  27. ↑ Template:UN document
  28. ↑ Template:UN document
  29. ↑ Template:UN document
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly, 17 December 2004
  31. ↑ Bridging the democracy gap in international relations: A stronger role for parliaments UNO Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, New York, 7 to 9 September 2005
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Resolution 61/6: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 27 November 2006, at IPU official website
  33. ↑ Cooperation with the UN: hearings at IPU official website
  34. ↑ "Press Releases". www.hellenicparliament.gr. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  35. ↑ Etpu
  36. ↑ Microsoft Word – 0447505e.doc
  37. ↑ Microsoft Word – UND_GEN_N0254074_DOCU_N
  38. ↑ Resolution 57/32. Observer status for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the General Assembly 19 November 2002
  39. ↑ Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union: Report of the Secretary-General—Summary at IPU official website, 3 September 2002
  40. ↑ Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union: Report of the Secretary-General Full item, 25 September 1996, at UNO official website. Accessed 24 February 2014

External links[edit | edit source]

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