Strengthening Parliaments' Role in Nuclear Security: An Interview with Dr. Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Q: Can you describe the role and work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, especially with regard to the empowerment of parliaments in promoting peace and security and in promoting the SDGs? A: The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was founded 135 years ago as the first political multilateral organization in the world and is dedicated to promoting peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue. Its key objective is to encourage parliamentarians to meet and engage in mediation rather than resolve their differences through war. As President of the IPU, I am proud that we now have 180 Member Parliaments (MPs), representing most of the 46 000 national members of parliaments worldwide. Both of the founders of the IPU, as well as a dozen other leading IPU figures, have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The IPU plays a special role in countries emerging from conflict or transitioning to democracy. It helps them to develop their parliaments as robust and democratic institutions that can heal national divisions, and it protects citizens so that they can enjoy freedom from fear and freedom from war.