1993 - 89th Inter Parliamentary Union Conference | Commemorative Coin

The first commemorative coin of 1993 was issued to mark the 89th Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a historic international organization established in 1889 by William Randal Cremer of the United Kingdom and Frédéric Passy of France. It was the first permanent forum designed for political multilateral negotiations, providing parliamentarians with a structured platform to discuss issues of international concern. Originally intended for individual parliamentarians, the IPU has since evolved into a global organization representing the parliaments of sovereign states. Today, the national parliaments of 143 countries are full members, while seven regional parliamentary assemblies hold associate membership. The IPU also enjoys permanent observer status at the United Nations, reflecting its integral role in global governance and inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The organization’s initial mission focused on the peaceful arbitration of conflicts. In this regard, the IPU played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, helping to lay the foundations for modern mechanisms of international dispute resolution. Over the years, the IPU’s objectives have broadened to include the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights, and the facilitation of inter-parliamentary dialogue on political, social, and economic issues. It has consistently supported the development of intergovernmental institutions, including the United Nations, with which it maintains close cooperation.

There has been ongoing international interest in the possibility of transforming the IPU into a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, which would provide a formal parliamentary dimension to the UN system. Various bodies, including the Committee for a Democratic UN, the German Bundestag, the Socialist International, and the Liberal International, have explored this proposal as a way to strengthen global democratic representation.

The IPU Assembly, formerly known as the Inter-Parliamentary Conference, is the principal statutory body where the organization expresses its views on international political issues. The Assembly brings together parliamentarians to examine global challenges and formulate recommendations for collective action. Its operations are guided by a set of Rules, and the participation of observers is regulated by detailed modalities outlining their rights and responsibilities. Delegations attending IPU Assemblies typically include MPs from multiple political parties, ensuring diverse representation. The Assembly convenes twice a year, in spring and autumn, with meetings hosted by different member countries, providing participants with firsthand exposure to varied national realities and parliamentary practices.

The first IPU conference was held in Paris in 1889, establishing a legacy of dialogue, cooperation, and conflict resolution that continues to this day. The 89th Conference was held in New Delhi, India, underscoring the IPU’s global reach and its ongoing commitment to fostering parliamentary collaboration and promoting democratic governance across the world.