Secretary General

Martin Chungong made double history in 2014 by becoming the first African and first non-European to be elected as IPU Secretary General. He was re-elected to a third term of office, which began in July 2022. With more than four decades of experience and knowledge of parliaments at national and international levels, he has dedicated his professional life to promoting and building democracy worldwide.

After 14 years working in the Cameroonian Parliament, he spent more than 20 distinguished years within the IPU before being elected its Secretary General—the eighth person to hold the position. He had previously served as Deputy Secretary General and Director of Programmes.

He has also built an impressive portfolio in the promotion of dialogue and conflict resolution, issues that remain at the heart of the IPU’s global work. His focus on helping countries emerging from conflict or in transition has been widely acknowledged by the IPU membership and partners globally.

Martin Chungong continues to actively work towards strengthening parliamentary engagement on sustainable development and accountability. 

Martin Chungong has been instrumental in strengthening the gender equality agenda within the IPU. He also is spearheading gender parity initiatives promoted by the International Gender Champions, a network of decision-makers, male and female, who have committed to breaking down gender barriers. In 2020, he was elected Chair of the Global Board of the International Gender Champions. Martin Chungong is highly committed to rejuvenating democracy, its processes and institutions such as parliaments and is driving the IPU’s efforts to bring more young people into parliaments worldwide.

Martin Chungong is also leading IPU’s work to dramatically reduce maternal and child mortality rates through effective legislation and its implementation, as well as ensuring governments’ accountability for international commitments in this area. He sits on the Board of the Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health. He was also appointed by the UN Secretary-General as one of the global leaders committed to fighting malnutrition through the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement. He is a member of the Advisory Council of the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations.

A linguist by training, Martin Chungong speaks English, French and Spanish. He holds degrees from both the University of Yaoundé and the University of Ottawa. He has been made a Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Pléiade, an honour awarded by what is now known as the International Organisation of La Francophonie to people who have distinguished themselves in the service of its ideals of cooperation and friendship. He has also been made Chevalier dans l'Ordre National du 27 Juin, by the Government of the Republic of Djibouti.  In 2018, he was awarded the Friendship Order, an award given by the Government of Viet Nam to foreigners who contribute towards building and developing friendship between Viet Nam and other countries and institutions.