ARUSHA: ARUSHA takes centre stage in global parliamentary diplomacy today as Tanzania hosts the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly for the first time, bringing together more than 2,000 delegates from around the world and putting the country in the spotlight on the international stage.
The five-day Assembly brings together more than 2,000 delegates from across the world, giving Tanzania an opportunity to strengthen international relations and advance issues of national interest.
With 153 of the IPU’s 183 member parliaments already registered, the gathering has placed Arusha at the centre of global parliamentary diplomacy and created opportunities extending beyond the formal discussions.
Foreign relations expert from the Dr Salim Ahmed Salim Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR), Mr Innocent Shoo, said the importance of the assembly goes beyond the prestige of hosting a major international event.
“The real diplomatic value goes beyond the prestige of hosting a major international gathering. The opportunity lies in using the presence of these parliamentarians to build trust, establish new channels of communication and deepen relationships that can support Tanzania’s broader foreign-policy and national interests,” he said.
Mr Shoo said the assembly demonstrated that Tanzania’s international engagement extended beyond traditional government-to-government diplomacy, with parliamentarians playing an important role in building relationships, promoting dialogue and creating political understanding.
He said Tanzania could use the gathering to highlight issues with international relevance, including inclusive economic development, youth employment, women’s empowerment, education, health, food security, climate change, the blue economy, sustainable tourism and digital transformation.
He added that bilateral and side meetings could open opportunities for cooperation in investment, trade, tourism, education, technology, agriculture, health and environmental protection.
“A Tanzanian parliamentarian who develops a strong relationship with a counterpart in another country may subsequently facilitate institutional contacts involving governments, businesses, universities or civil-society organisations,” Mr Shoo said.
He called for deliberate follow-up after the assembly to ensure opportunities created during the meeting translate into tangible results.
For Mr Shoo, however, the lasting value of the assembly will depend on what Tanzania does after the delegates leave.
He said relationships established during the meeting should be followed up to ensure the diplomatic, economic and other opportunities created in Arusha translate into lasting cooperation.
Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Mr Daniel Eliufoo, said the participation of 153 parliaments demonstrated the significance of the gathering.
“The Inter-Parliamentary Union is made up of 183 parliaments from all continents. As we speak today (yesterday), 153 parliaments have already registered to participate in this assembly. That is more than half of all member parliaments, so attendance is generally good,” he said.
He said regional and international parliamentary organisations, including the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Pan-African Parliament, parliamentary associations of Mediterranean countries and the Great Lakes Parliamentary Forum, would also participate.
Mr Eliufoo said their participation would allow parliaments and regional bodies to exchange experiences and discuss development issues and global challenges.
He said the assembly would bring together Speakers, parliamentary clerks and secretaries-general as well representatives of international organisations, noting that parliaments had an important role in making laws, representing society and overseeing governments.
The assembly’s theme focuses on enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all, with discussions expected to cover women, youth, people with disabilities, artificial intelligence, climate change and gender.
For Tanzania, Mr Eliufoo said the assembly would enhance the country’s diplomatic, economic, political and cultural visibility.
“The participation of these institutions and delegates from different countries first puts Tanzania on the international diplomatic map. During the five days that parliamentarians will be here, together with the presence of international and local media, Tanzania will receive significant international exposure,” he said.
Beyond diplomacy, the arrival of thousands of delegates is expected to generate economic activity, particularly in Arusha.
Mr Eliufoo said delegates would also have an opportunity to experience Tanzania’s culture, art, cuisine and locally made products at the Cultural Heritage Centre in Arusha.
He said some delegates had planned visits to tourist attractions before and after the Assembly, creating further opportunities for the tourism sector.
Economist and Data Scientist at the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy (MNMA), Mr Gilbert Mwabeza, said delegates would stimulate money circulation through spending on accommodation, transport, food, tourism and other services.
“The IPU assembly is not just a political event, it can be a catalyst for economic activity through spending on hotels, transport, food, tourism and other services,” Mr Mwabeza said.
Tanzania eyes global spotlight as it prepares to host IPU assembly
He said hotels and small and medium-sized enterprises supplying food, beverages, handicrafts, clothing and other local products could benefit, while the event could create temporary employment.
Mr Mwabeza added that visitors could become goodwill ambassadors for Tanzania after experiencing the country’s attractions.
“When these visitors come and see our attractions, they can become ambassadors for Tanzania and help promote our tourism destinations,” he said.
Economic diplomacy expert Professor Kitojo Wetengere said international meetings provided Tanzania with an opportunity to introduce the country to potential partners.
“When parliamentarians come here, there are many things they can learn from Tanzania or see for themselves. Often, such meetings introduce Tanzania to the world,” he said.
He said such exposure could encourage stronger relations in business, tourism and other areas of cooperation.
Former Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sirili Akko, said the assembly was also showcasing Tanzania as a conference tourism destination.
“The IPU delegates and participants have made a significant contribution to putting Tanzania on the world map, not only as a leading conference tourism destination, but also as a country endowed with a remarkable number of World Heritage Sites and some of the world’s most intact and diverse ecological ecosystems,” he said.
Mr Akko said delegates could return with their families and explore tourism and investment opportunities, while continued international conferences could encourage investment in Arusha’s infrastructure and hospitality industry.
Leadership and governance analyst, Mr Pertanus Niyegera, said the assembly could also strengthen people-to-people relations.
“The interaction between Tanzanians and foreign delegates could help build relationships that continue beyond the meeting itself,” he said.
The assembly therefore gives Tanzania more than an opportunity to host the world; it offers a platform to turn international attention into stronger relationships, wider opportunities and lasting partnerships.
