International Day of Parliamentarism (30/06)

June 30 is International Day of Parliamentarism. It was established in 2018 by a decision of the UN General Assembly (resolution № 72/278) in memory of the first international conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, held on this day in 1889. Inter-Parliamentary Union, fr. L'Union Interparlementaire). This global organization of parliaments from different countries, which exists to this day, is designed to improve the institutions of parliamentarism around the world, emphasizing its importance in improving people's lives.

Having a strong, balanced, functioning parliament is one of the signs and foundations of democracy. Representing the interests of their voters, parliamentarians should strive to ensure these interests by adopting appropriate laws and amending already adopted legislative acts if objective reality requires it. Parliament, striving with its activities to improve the lives of citizens, not forgetting to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population – is the embodiment of the ideal of the principles of parliamentarism.

Parliaments also link international and national agendas, ensuring that governments implement international treaties and agreements they sign. They play a critical role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union, working closely with the parliaments of different countries, contributes to the establishment of dialogue in solving global problems, resolving conflicts, and is also a certain guarantor of the implementation of international treaties. This organization, being a participant in the activities of the UN, promotes the involvement of national parliaments in international processes related to addressing issues of security and sustainable development, the program of which was once considered and adopted by the United Nations.

According to the history of the development of parliamentarism, the Icelandic Althing, established in the 10th century, is considered to be the oldest parliament, although various forms of representation existed even in the era of the Ancient World. There are currently two forms of this representative body of legislative power: unicameral and bicameral parliaments. According to the UN, out of 193 UN member states, 79 countries have a bicameral system, and 114 countries have a unicameral —. Thus, the existing 272 chambers in the world have about 46,000 members. At the same time, 26.2% of members of the world's parliaments are — women, and 28.1% of members of the world's parliaments are under 45 years of age.

One of the initiators of the establishment of the International Day of Parliamentarism is Russia. The idea belongs to the Speaker of the Upper House of the Parliament of the Russian Federation V.I. Matvienko. It was first voiced and approved at a session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, where an appeal was drawn up to the IPU. In October 2017, at the regular session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in St. Petersburg, the IPU approved the initiative and drew up an appeal to the UN General Assembly, which adopted a corresponding resolution on May 23, 2018. More than a hundred states co-sponsored the resolution.

More than 25 states also celebrate National Parliamentarism Day. In Russia, this holiday is celebrated annually on April 27.



Infographics – poster «June 30 — International Day of Parliamentarism»

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