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.
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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.
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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.
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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, peaceful 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
The largest survey carried out thus far on the idea of a "citizen-elected world parliament" showed that in 85 out of 101 countries, more respondents support the idea than oppose it. According to Democracy Without Borders, these results reinforce the urgency for governments to consider the proposed UN Parliamentary Assembly.
January 21, 2026
At an expert round table in Berlin on the UN and democracy, the proposals of the "We The Peoples" campaign were put forward and the goal of civil society and citizen participation was broadly supported.
December 3, 2025
In a resolution adopted at its 2025 congress, the World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy affirmed its support of the creation of a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
November 9, 2025
An event on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly on 22 September 2025 marked the launch of Article 109, a rebranding of the Coalition for UN Charter reform. Commenting on what she would like to see in a renewed UN Charter, former New Zealand Prime Minister and UN Development Programme Administrator Helen Clark endorsed a UN Parliamentary Assembly, see report here.
September 29, 2025
At a UN consultation on the implementation of the Pact for the Future, civil society voices once again urged the need for institutional changes. Democracy Without Borders referred to the "We The Peoples" campaign and reiterated the call for a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
September 1, 2025