Australia’s House Speaker, Milton Dick, has been elected President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly for the 2026–2029 term, after securing 56 per cent of the votes cast.
Dick emerged victorious ahead of two other contenders, Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, and Chilean Senator Rojo Edwards Silva, who polled 38 per cent and six per cent respectively.
The election results were announced on Friday in Arusha by the outgoing IPU President, Dr Tulia Ackson. 
According to the results, Dick secured 182 votes, while Gafarova received 124 votes and Edwards Silva polled 21 votes.
Announcing the winner, Ackson said: “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.”
Dick’s election followed consultations with Nigeria’s National Assembly during a visit to Abuja last week, where he sought support for his candidacy.
During the visit, President of the Nigerian Senate and Executive Member of the IPU, Godswill Akpabio, assured Dick of Nigeria’s support and pledged to mobilise backing from the African Group within the international parliamentary organisation.
Before the election, Dick emphasised the need for inclusive leadership within the IPU, stressing the importance of representing countries and parliaments with limited influence in international discussions.
His election places him at the helm of the IPU Assembly for the three-year term, from 2026 to 2029.
