149th IPU Assembly Highlights Technological Inequality Among Parliaments
BY BEATRIZ REY
Parliamentarians from around the world gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, for the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, held October 13-17. At a joint panel hosted by the IPU and the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP) on the future of parliaments, Ugandan Member of Parliament Alex Ruhunda delivered a compelling speech, urging nations to collaborate and share knowledge on technology: “If you have advanced with your technology, don’t be mean with it. You should consider how best to share that knowledge with those in need so that together we can improve our universe collectively.”
Ruhunda’s speech aligns closely with the IPU’s World e-Parliament Report 2024, which highlights the growing technological divide between wealthy and less-resourced parliaments around the world. While the digital transformation of parliaments is gaining momentum — with 68% implementing multi-year digital strategies and 73% adopting formal modernization programs — income level remains the strongest determinant of a parliament’s digital maturity.
Digital maturity in parliament encompasses establishing digital transformation, building robust digital infrastructure, using ICT to transform processes and relationships inside and outside parliaments, providing hardware, software, and user support services, improving the provision and management of digital content, involving the public in the legislative process, and promoting inter-parliamentary collaboration.
Nearly half of respondents from high-income countries (44%) rank among the top 30 parliaments in digital maturity, while 63% of low-income and 52% of lower-middle-income parliaments rank among the lowest. Small Pacific Island parliaments and many in Africa struggle to keep pace with digital innovation. European parliaments account for 44% of the top 30, and those in the Americas represent 43%. Conversely, 56% of Pacific and 50% of sub-Saharan parliaments are among the least digitally mature, with Australia and New Zealand boosting the Pacific’s average ranking.
