1993 - 89th Inter Parliamentary Union Conference | Commemorative Coin

The commemorative coin was released in 1993 to mark the 89th Inter Parliamentary Union Conference.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is an international organization established in 1889 by William Randal Cremer (United Kingdom) and Frédéric Passy (France). It was the first permanent forum for political multilateral negotiations. Initially, the organization was for individual parliamentarians, but has since transformed into an international organization of the parliaments of sovereign states. The national parliaments of 143 countries are members of the IPU, and seven regional parliamentary assemblies are associate members. The IPU has permanent observer status at the United Nations.

The organisation's initial objective was the arbitration of conflicts. The IPU played an important part in setting up the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Over time, its mission has evolved towards the promotion of democracy and inter-parliamentary dialogue. The IPU has worked for establishment of institutions at the inter-governmental level, including the United Nations, an organization with which it cooperates and with which it has permanent observer status.

Numerous bodies have expressed interest in the possibility of transforming the IPU into a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, among them the Committee for a Democratic UN, the German Bundestag and the Socialist International. The Liberal International also considers this as an option.

The IPU Assembly (formerly known as the Inter-Parliamentary Conference) is the principal statutory body that expresses the views of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on political issues. It brings together parliamentarians to study international problems and make recommendations for action.

The Assembly works in accordance with its Rules. Participation of observers in IPU Assemblies is regulated by Practical modalities of the rights and responsibilities of observers. Most members are affiliated to one of the six geopolitical groups that are currently active in the IPU. Delegations attending IPU Assemblies customarily include MPs from all parties. The Assembly meets twice a year (in the spring and autumn) and is held each time in a different country, providing participants with an opportunity to see various national realities.

The first conference was held in Paris in year 1889. The 89th Conference was held in New Delhi, India.