It tries to achieve its goals by:

- fostering contact, coordination and exchange of information between Parliaments and parliamentarians
- monitoring of and commenting on events of international importance
- defending and promoting human rights - necessary factors of development and democracy
- contributing to the better knowledge and understanding of functioning of the representative institutions and strengthening their means of actions

The IPU has been working closely with the United Nations whose principles and objectives it shares. Furthermore, it cooperates with regional inter-parliamentary organizations and other international and civil society organizations. As of July 2015, the IPU has 166 member States and another 10 associate member. The Czech Republic was a member of IPU from 1921 to 1950 and it became members again in 1993.

In October 2011, the IPU adopted its Strategy of 2012-2017, titled “Better parliaments, stronger democracy”. 

The 135th IPU Assembly is going to be held in Geneva between the 23 and 27 October 2016.