Impact
The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
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Democracy and strong parliaments
We support democracy by strengthening parliaments
Strong parliaments are the cornerstone of democracy and essential for development. They represent the people, pass laws and hold governments to account. As an organization made up of nearly all the world’s national parliaments, the IPU helps parliaments become more representative, gender-balanced, younger, transparent, accessible, accountable and effective.
To do this, the IPU pools the collective expertise and experience of its Members to establish common standards and guidelines on parliaments. We encourage parliaments to lead their own development through tools such as our Common Principles for Support to Parliaments.
We also help parliaments harness the power of new technology through the Centre for Innovation in Parliament, a partnership between the IPU and parliaments to develop and share good practices in digital innovation and tools such as social media.
The IPU’s democratic ideals have been enshrined in two important declarations. In 1994, IPU Members adopted the Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections followed by the Universal Declaration on Democracy three years later.
IPU Members also have a dedicated Committee on Democracy and Human Rights that meets at every Assembly.
159
Setting standards
Number of national parliaments which have endorsed the Common Principles for Support to Parliaments
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IPU standards
We pull together common values and principles of parliaments' work into sets of standards and guidelines that present a vision of democratic parliaments and describe good practices.
Assistance in action
We work actively throughout the world to help develop strong, well-functioning parliaments that can rise to modern challenges.
Centre for Innovation in Parliament
The new Centre for Innovation in Parliament is a partnership between the IPU and parliaments to support parliamentary innovation through improved use of digital tools. The Centre provides a platform for parliaments to develop and share good practices in digital implementation strategies, and practical methods for building capacity.
Global Parliamentary Report
The Global Parliamentary Report (GPR) is jointly produced by IPU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and draws on input from parliaments worldwide. It analyses the major issues affecting parliamentary practice and identifies current trends and good practices. It also offers policy options for parliaments to respond to current challenges
Common Principles for Support to Parliaments
The Common Principles for Support to Parliaments set out the fundamental principles for planning and implementing programmes to strengthen parliaments.
International Days
The International Day of Democracy is celebrated around the world on 15 September each year. Its sister day, the International Day of Parliamentarism, is celebrated worldwide on 30 June.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) and its rapid application across political, economic and social spheres offers potential benefits to humanity and the development sector. However, recent major advances also pose immediate risks to democracy, human rights and the rule of law that must be urgently addressed by legislators around the world. AI-related risks range from democratic instability to ethical concerns, global peace
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Related events
Meeting
Strengthening democracy: Toward coherent and stronger support for resilient parliaments
Oct242025
Geneva, Switzerland
The IPU and the United Nations Development Programme are hosting a one-day meeting on Strengthening democracy: Toward coherent and stronger support for resilient parliaments, immediately after the 151st IPU Assembly, at the CICG on 24 October in Geneva, Switzerland.
Meeting
IPU parliamentary meeting on the occasion of the UN General Assembly 2025
Sep242025
Church Center
New York City,
United States
On 24 September 2025, the IPU will convene an event for all parliamentarians travelling to New York as part of their national (governmental) delegation attending the opening High-Level Week of the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations.
Virtual event
Public participation in parliament and its impact on parliamentary democracy: Strengthening legislation for enhanced governance
Apr282025
Effective public participation in parliament can strengthen governance by enhancing the quality of legislation, improving policy outcomes, fostering citizen trust and enhancing democratic legitimacy.