Tashkent: The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has elected the State of Qatar, represented by HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, as a member of the Union's Executive Committee and Vice-Chair of the Committee for the Arab Group. The election occurred during the 215th session of the Governing Council, held as part of the 150th IPU General Assembly, which concluded in Tashkent.
According to Qatar News Agency, HE Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al-Sulaiti expressed pride in being selected as a member of the IPU Executive Committee. She emphasized that this confidence reflects Qatar's advanced position in the international parliamentary arena, attributed to the directives of its wise leadership and the active role played by the Shura Council in promoting parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.
Dr. Al-Sulaiti noted that the Inter-Parliamentary Union's Governing Council's approval of her membership in the Executive Committee acknowledges the active role of the Shura Council in parliamentary diplomacy. She highlighted the opportunity this presents for the Shura Council to contribute to formulating policies and general directions of the Union, serving the interests of peoples, particularly those of the Arab nations, and promoting peace, development, and understanding among nations.
She further stated that this position provides a significant platform for the Shura Council and Arab legislative councils to expand participation in decision-making within the union and implement their vision of supporting parliamentary dialogue as a tool for achieving stability and resolving conflicts. The representation is aligned with Qatar and Arab countries' principles of respecting international law, human rights, and sustainable development.
Dr. Al-Sulaiti affirmed that, through this representation, the Shura Council will continue its constructive contributions to important issues on the international parliamentary agenda and enhance its presence as an effective legislative institution in supporting efforts to bring peoples closer together and cooperate.
The Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) serves as the supreme body responsible for managing the Union's affairs between sessions of the General Assembly. It plays a crucial role in formulating general policies, directing strategic activities, and enhancing the effectiveness of global parliamentary work. Membership on the Bureau of this Committee offers a valuable opportunity to contribute to international parliamentary decision-making and influence the Union's approaches to contemporary international issues.
In a related development, the closing session of the General Assembly saw the appointment of HE Yousef bin Ali Al Khater, a Shura Council member, to the Bureau of the IPU's Standing Committee on Sustainable Development. He expressed pride in this selection, recognizing it as an appreciation of the Shura Council and Qatar's active role in supporting sustainability issues at regional and international levels.
Al Khater noted that the Committee, one of the four standing committees of the Union, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of human life and well-being by addressing environmental issues, climate change, and development financing. He appreciated the support from the Shura Council and the Arab Group for his candidacy and expressed determination to work with colleagues to advance efforts serving peoples, especially in the Arab world, through concrete initiatives and programs.
The closing session of the IPU General Assembly also included the adoption of reports by the Union's standing committees, along with draft resolutions on the role of parliaments in advancing the Two-State Solution regarding the Palestinian issue and on parliamentary strategies to mitigate the long-term impacts of conflicts on sustainable development.