Tanzania's National Assembly Speaker, Mussa Azzan Zungu, has been elected president of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The election took place on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC). Zungu will preside over the Assembly until October 9, when a new IPU president will be elected to succeed Dr. Tulia Ackson. His nomination was proposed by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the United Kingdom's House of Commons, and supported by Uganda and the United Arab Emirates.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle described it as a great honour to nominate Zungu, highlighting the longstanding friendship between Tanzania and the United Kingdom and their parliamentary institutions. The proposal was approved without objection, and Zungu expressed humility and gratitude to the assembly members for entrusting Tanzania with the leadership. He welcomed delegates to Tanzania and pledged the country's commitment to working with the IPU throughout the 153rd Assembly. Zungu's election gives Tanzania a prominent role in steering deliberations among parliamentarians from around the world.
The 153rd IPU Assembly is taking place in Arusha from October 5 to 9, 2026, bringing together parliamentary leaders and legislators from across the world. The assembly will discuss international issues and parliamentary cooperation. Zungu's leadership role will involve presiding over these discussions and ensuring the smooth operation of the assembly. The IPU is a global organization that brings together parliaments from around the world to promote cooperation and understanding.
In a separate decision, the assembly approved the admission of Nauru as the 184th member of the IPU. The application by the Parliament of Nauru was unanimously endorsed by the IPU Executive Committee before being presented to the assembly for approval. Nauru's Speaker, Marcus Stephen, addressed the assembly and thanked members for welcoming his country into the organization. He highlighted the reforms undertaken by the Nauruan Parliament, including the Parliamentary Services Bill approved in 2020.
Marcus Stephen, a former president of Nauru, said the country gained independence in 1968 and became the second country in the Pacific region to achieve independence. He emphasized that Nauru's membership of the IPU would provide an important platform for strengthening parliamentary cooperation and sharing knowledge and best practices with legislatures around the world. Stephen also acknowledged the support of the Speaker of Australia's Federal Parliament and fellow Pacific island parliamentary leaders who encouraged Nauru to join the IPU.
The admission of Nauru as a member of the IPU expands the organization's representation of small island developing states. This move is expected to enhance the IPU's ability to address the unique challenges faced by small island nations. The IPU has 184 member parliaments, and Nauru's membership reflects the organization's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. The assembly's decision to admit Nauru demonstrates the IPU's willingness to engage with parliaments from around the world.
The 153rd IPU Assembly provides a platform for parliamentary leaders to discuss pressing global issues and promote cooperation. The assembly's discussions will focus on international issues and parliamentary cooperation, with a view to promoting understanding and collaboration among nations. The election of Zungu as president and the admission of Nauru as a member reflect the IPU's commitment to promoting global parliamentary cooperation and understanding.
Key points
- Tanzania's National Assembly Speaker, Mussa Azzan Zungu, has been elected president of the 153rd IPU Assembly.
- Nauru has been admitted as the 184th member of the IPU.
- The 153rd IPU Assembly is taking place in Arusha from October 5 to 9, 2026.
