Doha: HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, who also serves as a Member of the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Vice President of the Committee representing the Arab Group within the Union, affirmed that the State of Qatar's hosting of the 298th session of the IPU Executive Committee aligns with its consistent approach, under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to support multilateral work, enhance international dialogue, and strengthen the role of parliamentary institutions as effective partners in promoting peace, supporting development, and addressing shared challenges at regional and international levels.
According to Qatar News Agency, in her opening address at the meeting held in Doha, Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti commended the pivotal role of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, particularly the Executive Committee, in steering the Union's activities, developing its mechanisms, and enhancing its effectiveness to meet the aspirations of national parliaments and keep pace with rapid global transformations.
HE President of the IPU Dr. Tulia Ackson, who is also the Chair of the Executive Committee, stated that the committee serves as an advisory body that submits its recommendations to the Union's governing bodies. It also functions as an institutional platform for discussion and in-depth analysis of issues related to the IPU's work.
In a similar address during the opening session, Dr. Tulia Ackson expressed her gratitude to the State of Qatar for hosting the meeting and voiced her anticipation of meaningful contributions from committee members to enrich its work. She emphasized that these members, as representatives of the world's parliamentarians, reflect the voice and aspirations of people, placing a collective responsibility on them to enhance the well-being of societies and draw on their expertise and diverse perspectives.
The State of Qatar's hosting of this meeting reaffirmed its steadfast approach to supporting joint international action and consolidating the role of parliamentary institutions, particularly the Inter-Parliamentary Union and its committees, in guiding international parliamentary work and contributing to addressing regional and global challenges.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Executive Committee members visited the Shura Council building, where they met with several Council members. They also toured an exhibition showcasing artifacts and documents chronicling the Council's journey since its establishment and highlighting key milestones in its development.
Over the two-day meeting, the agenda includes an assessment of the implementation of the Union's current strategy, consideration of the general directions of the upcoming five-year strategy, and several organizational and parliamentary issues related to enhancing the Union's role and effectiveness.
Participants will also deliberate on amendments to the statutes and review rules governing the voting mechanism on the emergency item at the General Assembly, aiming to develop the Union's working mechanisms and expand its international impact as a global platform promoting human rights, peace, and sustainable development.