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Philip Jennings was re-elected as General Secretary of UNI Global Union on the final day of the UNI World Congress in Cape Town.

Jennings, the founding General Secretary of UNI, will preside over a fourth term at the helm of the 20 million-strong global union.

“I promise to bring all that I have to the task. My energy, industry, commitment, creativity and desire,” he said in his acceptance speech.

“I am proud to be your General Secretary. I never forget the mandate that you have given me.”

Reflecting on what has been the largest and most ambitious global union congress ever to be held on African soil, Jennings praised his South African hosts for their work.

“Thank you South Africa. Thank you for the work we have done together.  You have inspired us. The Mother Continent and Mother City have changed us,” he said.

“We know why we are UNI Global Union. We know what job needs to be done. We will not leave the task to others. We assume the responsibility.”

With Cape Town 2014 now at a close, Jennings was already looking ahead to 2018, when the conference will head to one of the world’s great union cities.

“I look forward to Liverpool. We will celebrate together with our UK affiliates the 150th anniversary of the first Trades Union Congress,” he said.

“From Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom to Liverpool’s You’ll Never Walk Alone. We shall walk together.”