- Marquis de Pandolfi, Italy, 1891
Pandolfi was the first IPU Secretary General, appointed in 1891 at the third IPU Parliamentary Conference in Rome, Italy. However, he was only Secretary General for a few months and has often been omitted from the history books.
- Albert Gobat, Switzerland, 1892–1909
A leading lawyer and educationalist, Gobat played a major role in national politics and the international peace movement. He was awarded the 1902 Nobel Peace Prize for his deep commitment to peace.
He was part of the IPU from its inception and became the first official IPU Secretary General when the role was formally created.
- Christian Lange, Norway, 1909–1933
A secondary school teacher who became a towering figure in the early peace movement, Lange was known for his commitment to internationalism.
He held the IPU together through World War I and represented Norway at the League of Nations for many years. His work was honoured with the 1921 Nobel Peace Prize.
- Léopold Boissier, Switzerland, 1933–1953
A lawyer and diplomat who had served in Italy and the United Kingdom before joining the IPU, Boissier’s 20-year service makes him the longest-serving IPU Secretary General.
He steered the Organization through World War II and its re-emergence in the post-war years, then went on to serve as President of the International Committee of the Red Cross from 1955 to 1964.
- André de Blonay, Switzerland, 1953–1970
Committed to international peace through his work for the International Student Service during and after World War II, de Blonay worked tirelessly to help students caught up in the conflict.
He became Head of External Relations at UNESCO before being chosen as IPU Secretary General in 1953, overseeing a significant expansion in membership — particularly in Eastern Europe and Africa.
- Pio-Carlo Terenzio, Italy, 1970–1986
Terenzio was the architect behind the expansion and modernization of the IPU, working tirelessly to forge ties with the United Nations. He had previously served as a senior official at UNESCO.
Under his leadership, the IPU launched flagship programmes on peace and security, the human rights of MPs, women’s political participation and the strengthening of national parliaments.
- Pierre Cornillon, France, 1987–1998
Cornillon served for more than 30 years across a number of positions in the Organization before embarking on three terms as Secretary General.
He was a renowned expert on parliamentary diplomacy and comparative parliamentary law who devoted his professional life to the IPU.
- Anders B. Johnsson, Sweden, 1998–2014
A specialist in international law, Johnsson steered the IPU towards a greater commitment to democracy in the developing world, human rights, and gender equality.
He also oversaw a period of deepening ties with the United Nations, having previously served for many years with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
- Martin Chungong, Cameroon, 2014–2026
A linguist by training, Chungong made history in 2014 as the IPU’s first African and first non-European Secretary General. He had previously worked for 14 years in the Cameroonian Parliament and more than 20 years within the IPU itself.
During three terms in office, he championed democracy, conflict resolution, gender equality, and youth participation in parliaments worldwide.
- Anda Filip, Romania, 2026–
Anda Filip is the first woman and first Eastern European to serve as Secretary General of the IPU in its 13 decades of history.
Elected by a large majority of IPU Member Parliaments at the 153rd IPU Assembly in April 2026, she takes office on 1 July 2026 for a four-year mandate.
Since 2003, she has held senior roles at the IPU, facilitating parliamentary diplomacy and strengthening engagement with parliamentarians worldwide.
Previously, she served as a diplomat with Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Ambassador to the UN and international organizations in Geneva.