A UN Parliamentary Assembly
Giving elected representatives a voice in global deliberation
#UNPA
Enhancing representation
Decisions at the United Nations and other global institutions shape our world, yet they are made only by top politicians and government diplomats. A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) would include elected members called upon to pursue the common good of humanity rather than the interests of any individual government.
Initially, members could come from national parliaments, reflecting their political diversity. Eventually, members should be directly elected. The UNPA would act as a democratic watchdog, increasing transparency and public scrutiny in global affairs. It would engage citizens, civil society, and key stakeholders, creating new pathways into global deliberation.
A realistic step
The UN General Assembly could establish a UNPA using its existing powers. What’s needed is political will and the commitment of member states to invest in this innovation. All will benefit from a world organization that is more representative, more legitimate and in turn more effective.
The UNPA would begin as a consultative body. Over time, its role and powers could grow. Existing examples, like the European Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament, show that this kind of assembly can work. The UNPA is a realistic, necessary step toward a more accountable and inclusive global system.
Support
The establishment of a UNPA has been endorsed by policy makers, experts and civil society groups ever since the UN’s creation. Under the patronage of the late former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, an international campaign for a UNPA was launched which is still ongoing.
Over time, more than 1,500 elected representatives as well as hundreds of scholars and a wide range of organizations from across the world expressed their support. The campaign is now part of the “We The Peoples” platform but you can also endorse it separately here.
To learn more about a UNPA, read this detailed report:
Our other proposals:
- A prosperous, sustainable, just, pacific and equitable world can only be achieved through a profound reform of international institutions, of which the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly is a crucial factor.
- Fernando Iglesias
- Member of the Argentine parliament
- There's an increased urgency that political institutions and instruments of participation and democracy also go through a process of globalization. That's why I support the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
- Federica Mogherini
- Former Member of the Italian parliament and former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
- The establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the UN has become an indispensable step to achieve democratic control of globalization.
- Boutros Boutros-Ghali
- Former UN Secretary-General
- A UN World Citizens' Initiative and a UN World Parliamentary Assembly represent innovative mechanisms for citizen involvement in global affairs which I proudly associate with.
- Livingstone Sewanyana
- Former UN Independent Expert
Together, we call for a more inclusive and accountable UN — add your voice.
News & Notes
Ahead of the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024, over 150 organisations in a joint open letter call on UN Member States to consider four priority measures for making global governance more inclusive and accountable.
September 12, 2024
A public opinion survey across 22 countries revealed a robust demand for citizen participation in global governance and validated the proposals put forward by the We The Peoples campaign
June 24, 2024
At the UN's conference on Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, a civil society declaration was presented by the Transparency, Accountability and Participation (TAP) network. In the section on strengthening and expanding civic space and fundamental freedoms, the document calls for "institutional changes that aim at improving representation, participation and deliberation at the global level" including through the initiatives proposed by the We The Peoples campaign.
May 12, 2025
