INTER PARLIAMENTARY UNION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: The Vice President of India recently interacted with the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the sidelines of the G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20).

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

• About: IPU serves as the international organisation for Parliaments.
• Established in: 1889 in Paris.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Aim: To promote representative democracy and global peace.
• The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy, empowering parliaments and parliamentarians to advance peace, democracy, and sustainable development worldwide.
• It was the world's first multilateral political organisation, fostering cooperation and dialogue among all nations.
• Slogan: "For democracy. For everyone."
• Members: 179 member parliaments and 13 associate members.
• It actively promotes democracy and works to strengthen parliaments, making them more youthful, gender-balanced, and diverse.
• A dedicated committee, composed of MPs from around the world, defends the human rights of parliamentarians.

Structure of the IPU

• IPU Assembly: The principal statutory body expressing IPU's views on political matters.

o Convenes parliamentarians to examine global issues and provide action recommendations.

• Governing Council: The primary policymaking body of the IPU.

oComprises three representatives from each member of parliament.

oThe president of the IPU also serves as the President of the Governing Council.

oThe Council establishes the IPU's annual program and budget.

• Executive Committees: In accordance with the IPU statutes, this 17-member body oversees the administration of the IPU and provides advice to the Governing Council.