Martin Chungong re-elected as IPU Secretary General

The 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly has voted unanimously to elect Cameroonian Martin Chungong for a second four- year term on the final day of its 136th assembly Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

With no contenders to throw a challenge for the post, the assembly Wednesday approved the new term by consensus at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), also known as Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

His second term will commence from July this year.

Martin Chungong in 2014 was elected as the eighth secretary general of the IPU, the first African to hold the post in its 125-year history.

Cungong had worked in the Cameroonian parliament for 14 years before joining IPU in 1993.

His career at the organization has focused on developing and leading programs aimed at strengthening parliaments by being more modern, representative and effective institutions that are better able to fulfill their democratic mandate.

He speaks fluent English and French as well as Cameroonian dialects.

Around 1,500 delegates, including 650 parliament members, 53 speakers, deputy speakers and 209 female parliamentarians from 131 countries attended the mega IPU assembly, which has been jointly organized by the IPU and the Bangladesh National Parliament.

The five-day assembly concluded on Wednesday following the adoption of a number of resolutions and the Dhaka declaration.

Founded in 1889 with its headquarters in Switzerland, the IPU, a global organization of parliaments, works to establish democracy, peace and cooperation among people worldwide. Endit