DAR ES SALAAM: The Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mussa Azzan Zungu, and the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Martin Chungong, have signed an agreement for Tanzania’s Parliament to host the 153rd IPU Assembly, scheduled to take place in October 2026 in Arusha.
The signing ceremony was held today, February 27, 2026, at the Parliament Sub-Office in Dar es Salaam. Speaking shortly after the signing, Speaker Zungu expressed his gratitude to Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, for approving Parliament to host the important international meeting.
He said the Assembly is expected to bring together approximately 2,000 delegates from 183 member parliaments, and noted that it will present significant economic opportunities for the people of the Arusha Region and Tanzania as a whole. He explained that the hospitality, food, transport, and tourism sectors are expected to benefit substantially from the influx of international visitors.
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Speaker Zungu also assured the IPU Secretary General that Tanzania’s Parliament is fully prepared to ensure the Assembly is held to the highest standards. He added that preparations are already underway, including the establishment of a special organizing committee led by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Baraka Leonard.
On his part, IPU Secretary General Chungong said the signing of the agreement demonstrates the commitment of both parties—the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania and the IPU—to successfully organize the Assembly. He thanked the Government of Tanzania for agreeing to host the 153rd IPU Assembly and expressed confidence that the meeting will address key global challenges and generate practical solutions.
Chungong also thanked the IPU President and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Tulia Ackson (MP), for her dedication and efforts in ensuring that the Assembly is hosted in Tanzania.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by various leaders, including IPU President Dr. Tulia Ackson (MP), Deputy Speaker Daniel Sillo (MP), Clerk of the National Assembly Baraka Leonard, Tanzania’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Dr. Hoyce Temu, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ngwaru Magembe, as well as several Members of Parliament.
