Activist Rushan Abbas has been appointed as the new chairperson of the body.

After her election, Abbas said she would take bold and concrete steps to ensure united movements are created that cannot be ignored.

"I am deeply honored to be elected as the Chairperson of the World Uyghur Congress, a responsibility I embrace with a profound duty to serve our people. Our journey has faced immense suffering and unprecedented challenges that the world has yet to fully confront. The fact that the Uyghur diaspora stood firm and held this election despite death threats and intimidation speaks to the extraordinary courage and resilience of the World Uyghur Congress and our people—and shows that the Chinese regime fears us most when we are united," Abbas posted on X.

"As we move forward, I commit to taking bold, concrete actions to amplify our voices and build a united movement that cannot be ignored. Together, we will forge a future where every Uyghur can live in freedom, dignity, and lasting peace," she said.

According to the WUC’s by-laws, the General Assembly is convened every three years, during which the WUC will elect the organisation’s leadership, discuss strategic directions, and develop effective strategies to raise the Uyghur issue in international fora.