Saudi Arabia's participation in the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

The 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union kicks off in Istanbul

In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening international cooperation, the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and its related meetings commenced in Istanbul, Turkey. This session is witnessing broad international participation, with the Kingdom's delegation headed by the Speaker of the Shura Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh, alongside speakers of parliaments from around the world, hundreds of parliamentarians, and representatives of international organizations.

Historical context and importance of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Founded in 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the oldest international political organization dedicated to promoting peace and democracy through parliamentary dialogue. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the IPU plays a pivotal role in bringing together legislators from around the world. Its periodic meetings serve as a free and open global platform for discussing pressing issues affecting the security and stability of nations, and for formulating recommendations that contribute to guiding international policies toward sustainable development.

Parliamentary diplomacy in the face of global crises

During the opening session of the conference, the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Tulia Aksson, delivered a comprehensive address highlighting the crucial role that national parliaments must play in confronting escalating global crises. She specifically pointed to major challenges such as armed conflicts and the serious repercussions of climate change. Aksson emphasized that joint international cooperation is the only way to achieve sustainable solutions that will spare humanity the horrors of war and environmental disasters.

The head of the union also noted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, stressing the need to activate it as a key tool for finding peaceful and effective solutions, especially in complex issues where traditional diplomatic channels between governments may falter.

Instilling hope and establishing peace: The conference's vision

For his part, the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Numan Kurtulmuş, welcomed the delegations participating in the opening session of the Assembly. He expressed his sincere hope that the participants' efforts would be successful and that the conference would produce concrete resolutions that fulfill the aspirations of the people. This vision was embodied in the main theme chosen for this session: “Planting Hope, Establishing Peace, and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations,” a slogan that reflects the urgent need at present to strengthen the values ​​of justice and human rights at the international level.

The impact of Saudi participation and its regional and international dimensions

The participation of the Saudi Shura Council in this international forum is of paramount importance, reflecting the Kingdom's political and diplomatic weight on both the regional and international stages. Through these participations, the Kingdom seeks to highlight its unwavering stances on just causes and support efforts to establish peace in the Middle East and the world. These meetings also provide the Saudi delegation with an opportunity to exchange parliamentary expertise and strengthen bilateral relations with sisterly and friendly nations, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes building effective and influential international partnerships.

Formation of the Saudi Arabian delegation

The official delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accompanying His Excellency the Speaker of the Shura Council, includes a distinguished group of parliamentary experts representing the Kingdom on various committees and at meetings. The delegation comprises: the Secretary-General of the Shura Council, Mr. Mohammed bin Dakhel Al-Mutairi; and Shura Council member and member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Muhanna. The delegation also includes the Council members representing the Inter-Parliamentary Union: Major General Dr. Abdulrahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi, Mr. Waleed bin Hassan Abdulshakoor, Ms. Raida bint Abdullah Abu Nayan, Dr. Reema bint Saleh Al-Yahya, Mr. Ali bin Ayed Al-Qahtani, and Mr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Madi.