Praise for Saudi Arabia's efforts to support Palestine at the Asian Parliamentary Assembly
His Excellency the Speaker of the Shura Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh, headed the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participating in the 16th meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting, held under the theme “The Role of Asian Parliaments in Promoting Dialogue Among Cultures and Civilizations in Asia: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Paths,” saw a significant international presence, with over 190 representatives from 27 countries, parliaments, and international unions in attendance, reflecting the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy in the Asian landscape.
Praise for the Kingdom's diplomatic efforts
At the outset of the session, His Excellency Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain and President of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, welcomed the participating delegations. In his address, he specifically praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commending Riyadh's pivotal role on the international stage, particularly concerning the Palestinian cause. Al-Musallam emphasized the importance of the Kingdom's tireless efforts, in partnership with the French Republic, to advance international recognition of the State of Palestine. This, he noted, reflects the profound Saudi influence on international decision-making and its commitment to guiding the Palestinian people towards achieving their legitimate rights.
Context of the event and its regional significance
This praise comes at a sensitive time, as the region undergoes major geopolitical shifts. Saudi Arabia is leading an intensive diplomatic effort through the "International Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution," an initiative aimed at garnering global support to end the conflict and achieve a just peace. This Asian parliamentary meeting serves as a vital platform to bolster this approach, given the crucial role parliaments play in supporting governments in passing international resolutions and shaping a strong global public opinion.
The meeting also touched on the Kingdom of Bahrain’s welcome of the United Nations General Assembly’s decision to adopt the “New York Declaration,” which focuses on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution, which is in line with the Saudi and Arab vision for peace in the Middle East.
Strengthening joint parliamentary action
On the institutional level, the participants discussed the session's main theme through a series of intensive meetings involving the Executive Council and standing committees. These discussions aimed to deepen joint parliamentary coordination, exchange legislative expertise, and explore ways to enhance dialogue among diverse Asian civilizations, thereby contributing to bridging cultural gaps and building bridges of lasting understanding.
The Shura Council delegation accompanying His Excellency the President includes members of the Council and members of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, Dr. Ali bin Saad Al-Ali and Dr. Fares bin Abdullah Al-Osaimi, who actively participated in the meetings of the various committees, emphasizing the Kingdom’s keenness to activate its role in regional and international parliamentary organizations.
