Tashkent , Tashkent will host the 150th anniversary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the first time in the history of Central Asia. This event brings together over 2000 parliamentarians from more than 100 national parliaments, providing a unique opportunity to discuss key global issues. The selection of Tashkent as the venue for this important event underscores the growing influence of New Uzbekistan in international parliamentary diplomacy and its commitment to democratic reforms, and also confirms the country’s status as a center for constructive political dialogue in the region.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is one of the most important international organizations uniting national parliaments. Its work is based on the principle outlined by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who emphasized, “Parliaments must not only enact laws but also oversee their implementation on behalf of the people.”
The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also emphasizes: “The Parliament should become a genuine school of democracy, an initiator and a decisive force in the implementation of reforms.”
These words reflect Uzbekistan’s efforts to strengthen parliamentary oversight, expand the powers of the deputy corps, and increase the transparency of the legislative process. Hosting the 150th IPU Assembly in Tashkent is not only a historic event for the country but also a new milestone in the development of parliamentary diplomacy in Central Asia.
Birth of parliamentary diplomacy
The Inter-Parliamentary Union was founded in 1889 by prominent parliamentarians – Frenchman Frédéric Passy and Briton William Randal Cremer. Initially, the Inter-Parliamentary Union was a consultative association created to use parliamentary diplomacy as a means of preventing wars and resolving international conflicts through dialogue.
On May 22, 1889, the first international conference of the IPU was held in Paris, marking the beginning of the history of parliamentary diplomacy at the global level.
One of the significant stages was the IPU’s cooperation with the League of Nations, and later with the United Nations, where parliamentary experience was used to democratize international institutions.
After the Second World War, the IPU expanded its activities, focusing on issues of decolonization, human rights protection, and peacekeeping. During this period, the organization played a key role in shaping international law, promoting the principles of democratic governance, and ensuring the inclusive participation of various countries in global processes.
Founded in 1889, the IPU became the first multilateral political platform aimed at strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of international conflicts. Over its more than 135-year history, the organization has evolved from a small group of parliamentarians into a global institution uniting 181 national parliaments and 15 inter-parliamentary organizations, representing 6.5 billion people. In the 21st century, the organization not only maintains its relevance but also plays an increasingly significant role in addressing global challenges.
The IPU’s evolution from a narrow circle of experts to a global institution reflects the aspiration of the world community for closer cooperation in a changing geopolitical environment.
On May 22, 2018, the UN General Assembly officially established June 30 as the International Day of Parliamentarism.
Modern Role of the IPU
Today, the IPU is the largest global inter-parliamentary organization, representing the interests of over 46,000 parliamentarians, making it a crucial platform for dialogue, parliamentary diplomacy, and international cooperation. The organization integrates the experience and practices of national legislatures, promoting the development of common strategies to address modern challenges.
The IPU plays a key role in fostering international cooperation and promoting democratic principles. The main areas of the organization’s activities include:
First. Development of parliamentary diplomacy. The IPU creates a platform for dialogue between parliaments of different countries, discussion of global challenges, and the search for solutions. The organization provides support to parliaments in developing and implementing legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic principles, transparency, and accountability of power.
Second. Support for peace and security. In the face of growing geopolitical challenges, the IPU is strengthening its role in facilitating conflict resolution, the development of international law, and peacekeeping activities. The organization advocates for parliamentary engagement as a tool for preventing crises and strengthening trust between countries. Special attention is paid to the protection of human rights in conflict zones, the prevention of violence, and the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Third. Promotion of democracy and human rights. Democracy cannot be sustainable without the protection of human rights and the rule of law. The IPU actively supports free and fair elections, protects the rights of parliamentarians, and. An important task remains the fight against the restriction of political freedoms, the persecution of opposition leaders, and threats against deputies. The organization also develops recommendations for ensuring the transparency of electoral processes and increasing trust in state institutions.
Fourth. Gender equality in politics. Promoting the participation of women in legislative activities remains a priority. Since 1997, the Target Program for Gender Equality has been in place, which monitors the proportion of women in parliaments worldwide. In 2024, this figure was about 26.7%, but a significant gap remains between countries. The IPU calls on parliaments to implement effective mechanisms to increase women’s representation, including quotas, mentoring programs, and the creation of favorable conditions for women’s participation in politics.
Fifth. Strengthening youth participation. Young politicians remain underrepresented in the parliaments of most countries. Today, the share of deputies under 40 years of age averages only 17.5%. The “I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament!” campaign aims to attract young leaders, develop initiatives focused on supporting the new generation of politicians, and ensure their active participation in legislative activities.
Tulia Ackson (Tanzania) – President of the IPU
Tulia Ackson was elected President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2023, becoming the first woman from Africa in this position. She has extensive political and legal experience and holds a leading position in promoting gender equality and human rights at the international level.
In 2020, she made history as the first female Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, where she actively worked to strengthen parliamentary oversight, increase government transparency, and protect vulnerable populations.
Martin Chungong (Cameroon) – Secretary-General of the IPU
Martin Chungong is one of the most experienced specialists in the field of parliamentarism, having worked in the Inter-Parliamentary Union system for over 30 years.
In 2014, he became the first African to hold the position of Secretary-General of the IPU, which was a significant event in the organization’s history. Prior to this, he worked for over two decades in the National Assembly of Cameroon, where he specialized in the legislative process, parliamentary oversight, and issues of public administration.
Uzbekistan and the IPU: Strengthening Parliamentary Diplomacy
In recent years, Uzbekistan has been actively integrating into the mechanisms of international parliamentary cooperation, participating in the activities of the IPU, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the European Parliament, TurkPA, and the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.