IPU Secretary General Chungong visits Guyana and Cuba
In May 2025, Secretary General Martin Chungong embarked on official visits to Guyana and Cuba. These visits were part of a strategic initiative to deepen understanding and strengthen engagement with parliaments in Latin America and the Caribbean, while also encouraging their active involvement in IPU initiatives.
Guyana
In Guyana, the Secretary General engaged in a series of significant discussions, including with President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Philip and Speaker of the Parliament, Manzoor Nadir, aimed at reinforcing ties and underscoring Guyana’s pivotal role as an active and esteemed Member of the IPU. This provided an opportunity to discuss national priorities and explore potential avenues for enhanced cooperation with the Organization.
Additionally, the Secretary General’s discussions with Speaker Manzoor Nadir focused on bolstering the Caribbean bloc at the IPU and advancing the Organization’s longstanding aspiration of achieving universal membership. Discussions also examined strategies to re-engage IPU Member Parliaments in the region, with a particular emphasis on how the GRULAC geopolitical group, currently chaired by Speaker Nadir, can play a critical role in revitalizing their involvement.
The visit to Georgetown also presented a strategic opportunity to engage with the CARICOM Secretariat and explore ways to increase the IPU’s visibility in the Caribbean.
Cuba
During his visit to Havana, the Secretary General conveyed a strong message of solidarity with the Cuban people to President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and Speaker of the National Assembly of People’s Power, Esteban Lazo. He reiterated the IPU’s enduring stance against unilateral sanctions, which impose undue suffering and hardship on civilian populations. Emphasizing the fundamental right of all peoples to determine their own political destiny, he advocated for dialogue and diplomacy as the cornerstone for resolving all international disputes.
Additionally, the visit marked a significant milestone, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the IPU and the National Assembly of People’s Power. This agreement paves the way for the IPU to offer technical and advisory support aimed at bolstering the capacities of Cuba’s Parliament.
Both visits highlighted the IPU’s commitment to fortifying relationships with its Member Parliaments and bringing the Organization closer to every region of the world. By staying attuned to the unique needs and characteristics of each parliament, the IPU aims to enhance its support in addressing critical challenges, particularly in the realms of gender equality, human rights, development, and parliamentary involvement in international affairs.
Cuba's Speaker of the National Assembly of People's Power Esteban Lazo meets with IPU SG, Martin Chungong in Havana, May 2025.
