Parliamentary Dimension and Multilateralism

Abstract

Abstract Debates on the United Nations (UN) often refers to its legitimacy – its right to rule and how it is perceived. The UN and its organs, including the UN Security Council and General Assembly have been considered unrepresentative, not inclusive, and lacking democratic accountability due to the specific institutional settings and normative ideas. Different proposals have been introduced to respond to these acknowledged deficits, including the establishment of a parliamentary assembly within the United Nations following the example of the European Parliament. This article will concentrate on examining the already existing framework of having a parliamentary dimension within an intergovernmental organization, namely the UN, by recognizing the role of parliaments and parliamentarians through the UN’s cooperation with Inter-Parliamentary Union (ipu) to provide more inclusiveness to global governance. The article will contribute to the discussions of how recognizing the role of parliaments and parliamentarians could not only strengthen multilateralism but also provide for a more legitimate UN. The article covers not only the institutionalization of the cooperation between the ipu and UN but also the views of the UN member states towards parliamentary dimension in multilateral international cooperation. The article contributes to the ongoing discussions of bridging the gap between executive and legislative in international affairs and the role played by parliaments and parliamentarians in terms of supporting multilateralism.