Founded during the Cold War era, Parliamentarians for Global Action emerged from a simple but powerful conviction: The world’s most pressing challenges cannot be successfully addressed by any one government or parliament acting alone; they require parliamentarians from around the world mobilizing to take collective, coordinated, and cohesive action across borders.

When parliamentarians, governments, international organizations and civil society partners work together — sharing knowledge, amplifying each other's work, and uniting their voices to counter global threats - they become the architects for a more just society.

What began as a mission to prevent nuclear catastrophe has grown into a global network driving progress on international justice, human rights, democracy, human security, and a sustainable world.

Five Decades of Impact

Parliamentarians for Global Action has a nearly five-decade legacy of delivering results through legislative action. We have built a trusted reputation for empowering parliamentarians to ratify international treaties, pass groundbreaking domestic legislation, and harmonize international human rights law into national legal frameworks.

1978: A Network Is Born

Concerned parliamentarians from around the world gather in Washington, D.C., establishing Parliamentarians for Global Action with a mission to mobilize legislative action on nuclear disarmament. In an era of existential nuclear threat, these lawmakers recognized that parliamentary cooperation could transcend Cold War divisions.

1990s: Championing International Criminal Justice

PGA members in Canada, Germany, Italy, and the United States introduce parliamentary resolutions calling for an international criminal court. A.N.R. Robinson, a PGA member serving as Prime Minister in Trinidad & Tobago, presents a pivotal UN General Assembly resolution that reignites the movement. These efforts culminate in the 1998 adoption of the Rome Statute, creating the International Criminal Court.

1992-1997: The Chemical Weapons Convention

Parliamentarians for Global Action plays a crucial role in securing ratifications for the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, helping it enter into force in 1997. This marks a major victory in the fight against weapons of mass destruction.

1995: Halting Nuclear Testing in the Pacific

In partnership with Greenpeace and the Government of New Zealand, Parliamentarians for Global Action helps stop French nuclear testing in the Pacific — a powerful demonstration of parliamentary advocacy combined with civil society and government action.

1998-Present: Building the International Criminal Court

Following the Rome Statute's adoption, PGA members become instrumental in building global support for the ICC, contributing to ratification in scores of countries and the passing of implementing legislation. PGA’s biannual Consultative Assembly becomes the only global parliamentary gathering dedicated to international criminal justice.

Early 2000s: Advancing Human Rights and Ending Harmful Practices

Parliamentarians for Global Action expands its mission to encompass broader human rights challenges. Members champion legislation to end female genital mutilation in Senegal, combat domestic violence in Pakistan, and raise awareness on HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health across South Asia. The organization tackles child marriage and contributes to reforms that protect children in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Trinidad & Tobago. And PGA launches a new project to help countries work together on migration issues with a focus on reducing poverty, fighting social exclusion, and fostering jobs to address the root causes that force people to migrate.

2012: The Arms Trade Treaty

Over 2,000 MPs worldwide sign PGA's Global Parliamentary Declaration for the adoption of an Arms Trade Treaty. PGA members make decisive contributions to ratification efforts in 51 of the 110 countries that initially join the treaty, helping to regulate the international trade in conventional weapons.

2017: Affirming LGBTI Rights Across Continents

Parliamentarians for Global Action launches a groundbreaking campaign for LGBTI inclusion, publishing the first comprehensive parliamentary handbook on LGBTI rights in collaboration with the UN Development Programme. PGA members champion meaningful legislative reforms that decriminalize same-sex relationships and protect transgender rights in Angola, Bolivia, Chile, El Salvador, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, and Seychelles. This work demonstrates how parliamentary leadership can transform societies and affirm the dignity of all people.

2019: Responding to Democratic Governance Crisis

In response to global challenges to democratic governance, Parliamentarians for Global Action launches its Campaign for Democratic Renewal and Human Rights. Members take action against attacks on legislatures, persecution of parliamentarians and human rights defenders, and threats to democratic institutions in countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and beyond.

2019: Protecting Our Oceans

Parliamentarians for Global Action and the Parliament of Cape Verde host the First International Parliamentary Oceans Day during PGA's 41st Annual Forum, mobilizing lawmakers to address illegal fishing, promote sustainable fisheries, and protect marine ecosystems for future generations.

2020: The Death Penalty

PGA members achieve victories in the campaign to abolish the death penalty, including PGA member Rep. Renny Cushing's decades-long battle to make New Hampshire the 21st US state to abolish capital punishment. Meanwhile, PGA continues advancing work on biological weapons conventions, bio-risk management, and emerging global challenges.

New Frontiers of Today

Parliamentarians for Global Action continues to achieve significant results in its campaigns. Our members champion equality and inclusion in their countries, such as decriminalizing same-sex sexual relations and advancing gender justice.  They contribute to ratification of key international treaties regulating weapons of mass destruction, addressing cybercrime, and ensuring more effective global ocean governance for the protection of the high seas. And PGA resources, such as the Parliamentary Toolbox for Democracy Defense, continue to provide members of parliament with tools and strategies they can use to advance action on numerous human rights and democracy related issues.