TZ ready for IPU Assembly

• President Samia, IPU Secretary-General hold talks
• Speaker Zungu outlines major gains from the meeting

DODOMA: PRESIDENT Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan on Friday held talks with Secretary-General of the InterParliamentary Union (IPU) Anda Filip, during which they discussed various areas of cooperation between Tanzania and the union.

During the meeting at Chamwino State House in Dodoma, they also discussed preparations for the 153rd IPU Assembly, which will be held in Arusha from October 5 to 9, 2026.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Mussa Azzan Zungu said yesterday that the assembly would provide Tanzanians with a valuable opportunity to build business and investment relationships with delegates from around the world.

Mr Zungu said he was satisfied with preparations at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), which he said were largely complete. He said the presence of hundreds of international delegates, many of whom were businesspeople and policymakers, should be viewed as an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to showcase Tanzanian products, explore markets and establish partnerships that could continue beyond the assembly.

He urged residents and business communities to take advantage of the international gathering by promoting products with strong market potential, including Maasai handicrafts, cashew nuts and Tanzanite.

“Many of those coming here are businesspeople and politicians who are also involved in business. They need a wide range of products, and Tanzania has many products with great potential,” he said.

He said the assembly, which brings together representatives from parliaments around the world, was also an opportunity to promote Arusha as a destination for international conferences, tourism, trade and investment.

Mr Zungu commended the government, Parliament and all institutions involved in preparations for the assembly, saying the participation of Tanzanians was important in ensuring international visitors received a positive impression of the country. He said about 147 Tanzanians were expected to participate in various activities related to the assembly, with their contribution aimed at ensuring close cooperation between local and international participants.

“This is a great opportunity for the people of Arusha to participate in international, economic and business activities, meet people from different countries and contribute to the growth of Arusha and the national economy,” he said.

He also urged residents to demonstrate Tanzania’s hospitality, saying the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination could encourage visitors to return for tourism, business and investment. According to him, the hospitality sector was particularly important to Arusha because tourism remained a major contributor to the national economy.

He called on stakeholders in the region to use the assembly to strengthen the tourism and hospitality industry, noting that the government was working to increase tourism’s contribution to the national economy.

On preparations, Mr Zungu said they were progressing well, with 149 of the 183 countries having so far confirmed their participation, while confirmations from other countries were still being received. He praised engineers, technicians, Parliament staff, security personnel and other professionals who had worked to ensure the successful hosting of the assembly.

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He also commended the Parliamentary leadership and the IPU team in Geneva for their contribution to preparations and promotion of Tanzania ahead of the gathering. Mr Zungu urged journalists to continue reporting on positive developments in Tanzania and using their profession to promote the country internationally.

“Without journalists, this assembly could not receive the international publicity it deserves. I thank you for your professionalism and contribution,” he said.

The 153rd IPU Assembly will bring together parliamentarians and other stakeholders from around the world in Arusha, providing Tanzania with an opportunity to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy while promoting tourism, trade, investment and international cooperation.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Representative to the United Nations Office, Ambassador Dr Abdallah Possi, said very few African countries had had the opportunity to host the meeting.

“Therefore, Tanzania has been given an important opportunity to showcase itself before the international community through this event,” Dr Possi said.

He said hosting the assembly was a major achievement for Tanzania and commended President Samia and the government for agreeing to host the meeting.