NEWS – 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held in Geneva

INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)

• Establishment: Founded in 1889 in Paris.
• Purpose: Promotes representative democracy and world peace.
• Significance:
  • First multilateral political organization.
  • Encourages cooperation and dialogue between nations.

Membership

• Composition:

• 180 member parliaments.
• 15 associate members.

• Goals:

• Strengthen parliaments.
• Promote younger, gender-balanced, and diverse representation.

Human Rights Advocacy

• Defending Rights:
  • Dedicated committee to protect the human rights of parliamentarians.
  • Committee consists of MPs from around the world.

Headquarters:  Moved to Geneva in 1921.

Funding Sources: Primarily financed by member contributions from public funds.

STRUCTURE

IPU Assembly

• Role: Principal statutory body of the IPU.
• Functions:
  • Expresses views on political issues.
  • Studies international problems and makes recommendations for action.

Governing Council

• Composition: Three representatives from each member parliament.
• Role: Plenary policymaking body.
• Functions:
  • Establishes annual program and budget.
  • The President of the IPU serves as the ex-officio President of the Council.

Executive Committees

• Composition: 17-member body.
• Role: Oversees IPU administration.
• Functions:
  • Provides advice to the Governing Council.
  • 15 members elected for a four-year term.
  • The IPU President is an ex-officio member.

Standing Committees

• Purpose: Assist the Assembly in its work.
• Composition: Three Standing Committees established by the Governing Council.