A Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations (UNPA) would serve to bring the voice of the citizens into the United Nations and international politics. Since the establishment of the Pan-African Parliament which is attached to the African Union, the United Nations by now is one of the last government organizations above the national level which does not have some sort of parliamentary representation.

Possible logo of a UNPA, reflecting parliamentary benches

Elected parliamentarians could act as direct representatives of civil society in global decision-making. The UNPA would be the body where these representatives gather and debate global issues. Initially the UNPA could consist of delegates of national and regional parliaments, reflecting their political composition. A UNPA therefore would include members of minority parties not included in government. At a later stage the UNPA could be directly elected. Thus, a UNPA would be a unique and legitimate body to represent the voice of citizens in international matters. The Campaign participants envisage that a UNPA, once established, would develop from a mere consultative body to a world parliament with genuine rights of information, participation and control.

As an institutional hinge between parliaments, civil society, the U.N. and governments, the UNPA could also become an important political catalyst for the further development of the international system and of international law. As such a UNPA could be critical for an in-depth reform of the U.N. system.

A UNPA would not touch upon, let alone replace, existing procedures of the U.N. and other international organizations to involve NGOs. It would be an additional means to integrate civil society at large more effectively into the shaping of globalization.

The "Appeal for the Establishment for a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations" promoted by the UNPA-Campaign reflects the consenus among like-minded parliamentarians, civil society representatives, activists and scholars regarding the proposal.

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More about the UNPA-Campaign

Milestones in the efforts for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly