The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will elect its 32nd President on 9 October 2026 during the 153rd IPU Assembly, to be held in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
The IPU President is the Organization’s political head. The President chairs its statutory meetings and represents the IPU at major global events. The President is elected for a term of three years and must remain a sitting member of parliament throughout the mandate.
To date, three candidates have come forward for the position of IPU President from 2026 to 2029.
Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Azerbaijan, Speaker of the Milli Majlis
Ms. Sahiba Gafarova has been a member of parliament since 2010. She became the first woman Speaker of the Milli Majlis, the National Assembly, in 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. She holds a Doctor of Philological Sciences degree and the academic title of Professor, following a career in academia.
Throughout her parliamentary work, Ms. Gafarova has contributed actively to inter-parliamentary cooperation. Her engagement has included promoting gender equality, eliminating violence against women, combating racism and xenophobia, and work on issues concerning migration, refugees and internally displaced persons.
She has upheld the principles of representative democracy, human rights, the rule of law and the role of parliaments as the voice of the people, alongside constructive dialogue, mutual respect and multilateral cooperation.
Mr. Milton Dick, Australia, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Mr. Milton Dick has represented the federal electorate of Oxley in Queensland since 2016, following service on Brisbane City Council from 2008 to 2016. After studying at the University of Queensland, he worked as an adviser in the Australian federal government and in local government.
He was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2022 and re-elected unopposed in 2025. As Speaker, Mr. Dick has focused on impartiality, inclusion and engagement, and efforts to make the chamber a safer and more respectful workplace.
He has also prioritized parliamentary diplomacy, including Parliamentary Friendship Groups and engagement with the diplomatic community. Within the IPU, he currently serves as Vice-President of the Executive Committee representing the Asia-Pacific Group, and as President of the Sub-Committee on Finance, supporting cooperation, transparency and accountability.
Mr Rojo Edwards Silva, Chile, Senator
Mr. Rojo Edwards Silva is a Senator of Chile and is serving as President of the IPU Group of Latin America and the Caribbean, known as GRULAC, for the 2025–2027 term. In this role, he coordinates the Group’s positions on key issues within the IPU.
Mr. Edwards has participated directly in the IPU’s deliberative and negotiating processes. He served as co-Rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, helping lead the resolution adopted unanimously at the 152nd IPU Assembly in Istanbul in 2026 on the role of parliaments in building a fair and sustainable global economy.
He also contributed to negotiations on emergency items adopted at the 145th Assembly in Kigali in 2022 and the 146th Assembly in Manama in 2023.
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The successful candidate will replace outgoing IPU President, Dr. Tulia Ackson of the United Republic of Tanzania, who was elected at the 147th IPU Assembly in Luanda, Angola in 2023.
Over the past 25 years, the IPU Presidency has been held by prominent parliamentarians from Egypt, Spain, India, Chile, Italy, Namibia, Morocco, Bangladesh, Mexico and Portugal.
The new President will work closely with the IPU Secretary General, Ms. Anda Filip, who was elected at the last IPU Assembly, in April 2026, in Istanbul, Türkiye.