PURPOSE: The International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated every year on 30 June, the date in 1889 on which the International Parliamentarian Union was founded. The Day is a time to review the progress that parliaments have made in achieving some key goals to be more representative and move with the times, including carrying out self-assessments, working to include more women and young MPs, and adapting to new technologies. The Inter-Parliamentary Unio was born 134 years ago this week. Discover our history in 134 seconds.

FORUM: ‘‘Parliamentary diplomacy: Building bridges for peace and understanding.’’ International Day of Parliamentarism 2024. This year, we celebrate the IPU’s 135th anniversary; The IPU was founded on 30 June 1889 by a small group of parliamentarians who believed that parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy were a better way of settling differences than war. 135 years later, the IPU is the parliament of parliaments, a thriving international organization made up of 180 national parliaments and open to all 46,000 parliamentarians in the world. This year, with a world at war, the IPU’s foundational values have never been so relevant. That’s why we are asking you to mark this milestone in your parliament. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Parliaments4thePlanet, #Parliamentarians, #30june, #ParliamentarismDay.

EVENTS: on June 30th, At IPU Headquarter in Geneva Switzerland during the observance International Day of Parliamentarism 2024, we will celebrate the 135th anniversary of the IPU. Parliaments and parliamentarians must lead by example before preaching to the people.

• Russian Federation: On the occasion of 2024's International Day of Parliamentarism, the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation shared its compliments to the IPU and encouraged the strengthening of parliamentary dialogue as a way to work towards more peaceful and mutually beneficial relations among nations.

• Belarus: The National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus sent their congratulations to the IPU on the occasion of the International Day of Parliamentarism, reiterating that parliaments play an important role in promoting constructive dialogue and de-escalating tensions in inter-state relations.

• Canada: Mr David McGuinty President of the IPU Committee on United Nations Affairs, intervened in the Canadian House of Commons, during Statement by Members, to celebrate the International Day of Parliamentarism and the IPU’s 135th anniversary.

• European Parliament: Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, addressed the importance of parliaments which, in her own words, are the cornerstone of democracy, in a video from the European Parliament for 2024's International Day of Parliamentarism.

• Nepal: To mark the International Day of Parliamentarism, the Parliament of Nepal is planning a celebration on June 30 to enhance, educate and inform parliamentary democracy, and express Nepal's solidarity with initiatives of the IPU at the global level, including the Parliaments4thePlanet campaign. A tree planting and distribution of food to the elderly is also planned.

• Paraguay: Paraguay joined celebrations of the International Day of Parliamentarism by issuing a declaration from the Honorable Chamber of Deputies for the 135th anniversary of the foundation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

• Qatar: On 11 June, the Shura Council of Qatar organized a seminar on the occasion of the International Day of Parliamentarism. The seminar highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening relations between countries, addressing global crises and challenges, and promoting peace and understanding among peoples.

• Tunisia: The Assembly of the People's Representatives of the Republic of Tunisia expressed pride in membership of the IPU in advance of the International Day of Parliamentarism and emphasised the pivotal role of the IPU in adding a parliamentary dimension to international cooperation.

WEBINARS: On June 26th a webinar entitled ‘‘Transforming agrifood systems for the health of people and the planet: The role of parliaments” jointly organized by the IPU, the ECE and ESCAP, will be held to provide an inclusive space where parliamentarians from the concerned regions discussed ways in which they can support the transformation of agrifood systems in light of climate change.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Throughout the year, the IPU and its Members organize many events for parliamentarians to exchange good practices, acquire the latest information and identify avenues for action. From biannual Assemblies that bring together hundreds of MPs and delegates, to our increasingly popular regional seminars and workshops on the Sustainable Development Goals, Explore the calendar of IPU upcoming events!

STATEMENTS: Watch the statement of IPU President on the International Day of Parliamentarism 2024; June 30th.

PODCASTS: How did the IPU grow from a handful of parliamentarians from 9 countries who met for the first time on 30 June 1889 to become the global organization of parliaments? Listen to the audio-podcasts!

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: “Parliamentary diplomacy: Building bridges for peace and understanding.” It’s time for us to amplify efforts in our communications with the global parliamentary family. Use the toolkit we have developed for the campaign including posters and social media assets. Get the campaign materials!