Australia’s Milton Dick Elected IPU President, Pledges Inclusive Leadership and Climate Action
Australia’s House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick has been elected President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the 2026–2029 term, marking the first time an Australian has led the world’s oldest multilateral political organization. Dick secured 56% of the vote in a secret ballot at the IPU’s 153rd Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania, defeating candidates from Azerbaijan and Chile, according to multiple reports.
Announcing the result, outgoing IPU President Dr. Tulia Ackson, Tanzania’s first female IPU leader, declared Dick the winner. The winner of the election of a President for the term 2026 to 2029 is Mr Milton Dick, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia,
she said. Dick received 182 votes, while Azerbaijan’s Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis, garnered 124 votes (38%), and Chilean Senator Rojo Edwards Silva secured 21 votes (6%).
Dick’s Focus on Inclusivity and Climate
Dick, 54, has served as Australia’s Speaker since 2022, re-elected unopposed in 2025. His leadership has emphasized inclusivity, political impartiality, and parliamentary diplomacy. Prior to his election, he advocated for inclusive leadership
that amplifies the voices of countries with limited influence in global discussions. I want the IPU to be their voice as well,
he stated, pledging to strengthen youth participation, advance climate action, and ensure underrepresented nations have a greater role in global parliamentary decision-making.
The IPU, founded in 1889, comprises 184 national parliaments and focuses on promoting democratic governance, conflict resolution, and human rights. Dick’s presidency comes as parliaments face growing pressures from climate change, inequality, and declining public trust. He highlighted climate resilience as a key priority, noting the disproportionate challenges faced by small island states, African countries, and other vulnerable regions.
Election Context and Global Tensions
Dick’s campaign included outreach to African parliaments, with Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio publicly endorsing his candidacy. Akpabio pledged to mobilize support from the IPU’s Africa Group, reflecting the region’s growing influence within the organization. However, Dick’s election also highlights Australia’s expanding role in international parliamentary diplomacy, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Challenges for Dick’s Leadership
As IPU President, Dick will chair key governing bodies and represent the organization at major international forums. His tenure begins as the IPU prepares its 2027–2031 strategy, with a focus on practical initiatives to strengthen youth representation, support climate-vulnerable countries, and ensure smaller nations have a meaningful voice in global cooperation.
Today, there are no winners or losers. The IPU has spoken with one voice. This is democracy,
Dick said after his election. His emphasis on unity and consensus aligns with the IPU’s mission to bridge political divides, even as global challenges demand innovative solutions. The next three years will test his ability to translate these commitments into actionable policies for a fractured international landscape.