IPU : The latest edition of the IPU’s World e-Parliament Report 2024 highlights significant progress in the digital landscape of legislatures worldwide.
However, the report also points out an increasing digital divide between rich and poor parliaments, which can have an impact on the quality of democracy.
This is the eighth edition of the biennal IPU report, produced by the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament. The findings are based on survey responses from 115 parliamentary chambers in 86 countries and supranational parliaments.
Key findings
Accelerating digital transformation
Digital transformation in parliaments is gaining momentum. Over two-thirds (68%) of parliaments now have multi-year digital strategies, and 73% have formal modernization programmes.
Digital divide
Country income level is the most significant predictor of digital maturity. Parliaments in high-income countries rank highly but about two-thirds of parliaments in low-income countries fall into the category of least digitally mature.
Emerging technologies
Cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly being adopted in parliaments, with 68% using cloud services and 29% embracing AI tools.
Cybersecurity is a top priority, with 70% of parliaments adopting national cybersecurity standards and 53% having internal cybersecurity strategies.
Importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation
The share of parliaments participating in the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament has increased from 27% in 2020 to 45% in 2024.
Seventy per cent of parliaments surveyed expressed willingness to provide support to others.
New: The IPU Digital Maturity Index
This edition of the report introduces the IPU Digital Maturity Index, a pioneering tool to help parliaments assess their progress across six key areas including governance, infrastructure and public engagement.
Legislatures in Europe and the Americas lead the way on digital maturity, while those in the Pacific region and sub-Saharan Africa are struggling to keep pace.
Recommendations
The report makes the following recommendations for parliaments:
Develop clear digital strategies
Allocate adequate resources
Establish robust governance frameworks
Invest in capacity-building
Prioritize public engagement
Strengthen inter-parliamentary collaboration
Quote
IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong, said: “Parliaments cannot afford to fall behind as society embraces new technology. The future quality of democracy and its institutions are at stake. A digitally advanced parliament is a stronger, more effective, more transparent and more accountable parliament. This report shows how innovation and technology in parliaments can help them deliver better outcomes for the people.”
The report will be presented at next week’s 149th IPU Assembly from 13-17 October 2024 in Geneva under the overarching theme: Harnessing science, technology and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future.
The World e-Parliament Report 2024: Executive summary
The World e-Parliament Report 2024 provides a comprehensive assessment of the use of digital technology in parliaments worldwide. It is based on survey responses from 115 parliaments or chambers in 86 countries and supranational parliaments.
The report identifies a growing strategic focus on digital transformation, with 68% of parliaments reporting having a multi-year digital strategy in place. Artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing show significant increases in use. Cybersecurity is a top priority and social media has become nearly ubiquitous.
This edition introduces the Digital Maturity Index, a new benchmarking tool that ranks parliaments across six key areas. The Index highlights a persistent digital divide, with country income level emerging as the most significant predictor of digital maturity. This finding highlights the need for targeted support for parliaments in lower-income countries, as well as for continued inter-parliamentary collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
The findings of this report are as follows:
- Digital transformation in parliaments is accelerating, driven by comprehensive strategies and high-level leadership. a. Over two thirds of parliaments (68%) now have multi-year digital strategies and 73% have formal modernization programmes. Secretaries general of parliaments are taking a more active role in ICT governance, rising from 51% in 2020 to 69% in 2024. b. Parliaments are allocating more of their budgetary resources to ICT, with 20% now spending over 10% of their overall budget on digital technologies, up from 15% in 2020. However, insufficient funding (59%) and a lack of experienced staff (48%) remain significant barriers to digital transformation. c. Infrastructure and user support are the strongest areas of digital maturity, while public engagement emerges as a weak spot. Digital governance, strategy and management are also weaker areas for many parliaments. d. Parliaments with strong data management practices and well-defined approaches to digital transformation will find it easiest to implement AI.
- Country income level is the most significant predictor of digital maturity. a. A digital divide exists among parliaments worldwide. Parliaments in high-income countries are more likely to rank highly in terms of digital maturity. In contrast, the picture is markedly different for parliaments in less affluent countries: about two thirds of parliaments in lowincome countries and half of those in lower-middle-income counties fall into the category of least digitally mature. This disparity highlights a significant gap in technology adoption and implementation between parliaments in countries at different income levels. b. Parliaments with a strong strategic focus on digital transformation rank more highly in terms of their digital maturity.
- Cloud computing and AI are gaining traction in parliaments, leading to a stronger focus on cybersecurity.
a. Twenty-nine per cent of survey respondents reported that AI was becoming more widely adopted in their parliament, with this technology being used for transcription, translation and cybersecurity. However, only 11% of parliaments are bound by laws regarding the use of AI and just 14% have internal procedures or regulations on this subject.
b. Cloud adoption is increasing, with 68% of parliaments now using cloud services in some capacity. However, many still prefer on-premises hosting for critical applications like databases, content management and document management
. c. Cybersecurity is a top priority, with 70% of parliaments having adopted national cybersecurity standards and 53% having internal cybersecurity strategies. In the past two years, 79% of parliaments have provided cybersecurity training to staff and 63% to MPs.
- Parliaments face challenges in digital transformation, particularly in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. a. Legislatures in Europe and the Americas lead the way on digital maturity, while those in the Pacific region and sub-Saharan Africa are struggling to keep pace. b. Public engagement remains a challenge, with only 35% of parliaments having a formal strategy for online public participation. Barriers identified include citizens lacking skills to use digital tools (42%) and limited internet access (41%).
- Inter-parliamentary collaboration is valued for knowledge-sharing and capacity-building. a. The share of parliaments participating in the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament (CIP) has increased from 27% in 2020 to 45% in 2024. Larger parliaments and those in high-income countries are more active in providing support to others, while smaller legislatures and those in lower-income countries express a willingness to provide support in the future.
b. Seventy per cent of parliaments surveyed said they were willing to provide support to others, although only 46% currently do so.
Based on these findings, the report makes the following recommendations for parliaments:
- Develop clear visions and comprehensive digital strategies aligned with parliament’s overall strategic objectives, and ensure strong political and administrative leadership to drive digital transformation.
a. Create a dedicated digital transformation working group or committee involving key stakeholders. b. Develop a multi-year digital road map with clear milestones and key performance indicators.
c. Align digital strategies with broader parliamentary goals and national digital agendas.
d. Ensure support and active involvement from senior leadership, including Speakers and secretaries general.
e. Regularly review and update strategies to adapt to technological changes and emerging needs.
- Allocate adequate financial, human and technological resources to support digital transformation, considering both short-term and long-term requirements. a. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of current and future resource needs. b. Establish a dedicated budget for digital transformation initiatives.
c. Invest in attracting and retaining skilled staff.
d. Implement agile resource allocation methods to respond to changing priorities.
e. Develop partnerships with technology providers and academic institutions.
- Establish robust governance frameworks and regulations for emerging technologies like AI to ensure responsible and transparent use while safeguarding democratic values. a. Develop clear policies and guidelines for the use of AI and other emerging technologies.
b. Establish ethical frameworks for data use and algorithm development.
c. Create oversight mechanisms to monitor the implementation of new technologies.
d. Ensure compliance with data protection and privacy regulations.
e. Regularly assess and mitigate potential risks associated with new technologies.
- Invest in capacity-building, providing training and skills development opportunities for members and staff, particularly in cybersecurity, data management and emerging technologies.
a. Develop comprehensive digital literacy programmes for all members and staff.
b. Provide specialized training in areas such as cybersecurity, AI and data analytics.
c. Establish mentorship programmes to facilitate knowledge transfer.
d. Create a culture of continuous learning and adaptation to technological change.
- Prioritize public engagement, developing formal strategies and leveraging digital tools to involve more citizens in the legislative process and build trust in democratic institutions. a. Develop user-friendly online platforms for public consultation and feedback. b. Implement social media strategies to enhance communication with citizens.
c. Create digital tools for tracking and visualizing the legislative process.
d. Ensure that digital platforms are accessible for all citizens, including those with disabilities.
e. Use data analytics to gain insights from public engagement and improve decision-making.
- Strengthen inter-parliamentary collaboration and knowledge-sharing to enable parliaments to learn from each other, share good practices and collectively address common challenges in digital transformation. a. Actively participate in international parliamentary networks and forums.
b. Contribute to and use shared resources, such as open-source tools and good practice guides.
c. Organize regular inter-parliamentary conferences and workshops on digital transformation.
For full text of the report, click here:
file:///C:/Users/Dell/Downloads/20241008_IPU_World_eParliament_2024_EN-Proof4.pdf
