About Inter-Parliamentary Union:
- It is the international organization of Parliaments which was established in 1889 in Paris to promote representative democracy and world peace.
- The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people.
- It works for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action.
- The IPU moved its headquarters to Geneva in 1921.
- Funding: It is financed primarily by its members out of public funds.
- Governance Structure
- IPU Assembly: It is the principal statutory body that expresses the views of the IPU on political issues. It brings together parliamentarians to study international problems and make recommendations for action.
- Governing Council: It is the plenary policymaking body of the IPU. It is composed of three representatives from each member parliament. The President of the IPU is ex-officio President of the Governing Council.
- The Council establishes the annual programme and budget of the IPU.
- Executive Committees:
- It is made up of President, elected members from different geopolitical groups, the President of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians and the President of the Board of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians.
- The members of the Executive Committee are elected by the Council for a four-year term.
- The President of the IPU is an ex officio member and President of the Committee.
- Standing Committees: There are three Standing Committees set up by the IPU Governing Council to assist the Assembly in its work.
